Dear Scotland

There are only a few shows left in 2010, but fans of Scottish music on the East Coast of the US are in for a treat this week with Fran Healy in New York and ex Beta Band genius Steve Mason playing some rare acoustic shows in DC, Philly, NYC, and Boston. Vic has more:

Steve Mason in US and Canada (Postponed until 2011)
by Vic Galloway

The ex-Beta Band frontman and songwriter has cut a strange path through the music biz since the 90′s when he emerged with the psychedelic Fife/London loons and influenced a generation. He then embarked on various solo jaunts, releasing acclaimed music under the aliases King Biscuit Time and Black Affair. Then in 2009/2010, he decided to step out of the shadows and brave it as just plain old Steve Mason.

Thankfully it wasn’t a ‘plain old’ batch of songs he unleashed on the ears of the world, but a delicate and considered album of pure pop. Produced by Richard X, ‘Boys Outside’ is a superb snapshot of an acute musical mind and is another selection from my Top 75 Albums of 2010. It sees his hushed vocal tones, acoustic guitar lines and luscious instrumentation perfectly complement the fragile yet bold melodies on an extremely catchy set of songs. As he road-tested the songs earlier this year, it’s apparent that there is still a huge audience for this enigmatic character and his songs, old and new.

He’s groing in confidence, having played a number of UK tours and festivals this year. Now he’s hitting NYC, and all you lot in the Big Apple that head along, you’re in for a real treat.

Also on tour this week: Biffy Clyro and Fran Healy.

Check out Vic on BBC Radio every week:
Monday Night 8.05pm-10pm, BBC Radio Scotland
Vic has The Xcerts in Session

Wednesday Night Midnight-2am, BBC Radio 1 in Scotland
Vic has Song, by Toad’s Yusuf Azak in Session

Follow Vic on Twitter at www.twitter.com/vicgalloway and at www.myspace.com/vicgallowayr1

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Download Steve Mason’s new album in the Dear Scotland Shop:

Steve Mason - All Come Down (live)

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Beta Band - Dry The Rain

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King Biscuit Time - I Walk The Earth

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Beta Band - The Cow’s Wrong / She’s The One

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Scotland on Tour this week

Artist	Date	City	Country
Biffy Clyro in Australia 2010 part 2
Biffy Clyro	14 Dec 10	IGNORE THIS FOR NOW in Melbourne	Australia
	w/ Muse
Biffy Clyro	15 Dec 10	IGNORE THIS FOR NOW in Melbourne	Australia
	w/ Muse
Biffy Clyro	19 Dec 10	IGNORE THIS FOR NOW in Perth	Australia
	w/ Muse
Fran Healy Solo USA 2010
Fran Healy	16 Dec 10	IGNORE THIS FOR NOW in New York, NY	United States
Steve Mason in North America 2010
Steve Mason	14 Dec 10	IGNORE THIS FOR NOW in Washington, DC	United States
	(acoustic show)
Steve Mason	15 Dec 10	IGNORE THIS FOR NOW in Philadelphia PA	United States
	(acoustic show)
Steve Mason	16 Dec 10	IGNORE THIS FOR NOW in Brooklyn, NY	United States
	(acoustic show)
Steve Mason	17 Dec 10	IGNORE THIS FOR NOW in New York, NY	United States
	(acoustic show)
Steve Mason	18 Dec 10	IGNORE THIS FOR NOW in Boston, MA	United States
	(acoustic show)
Steve Mason	19 Dec 10	IGNORE THIS FOR NOW in Montreal, QC	Canada
	(acoustic show)

Photo Credit: Lense Eyes