It’s a tricky thing, awaiting albums by bands who are personal friends.  I don’t know what I fret about more, whether it gets a good reception in the wider press or whether I myself can honestly look the band in the eye and say that I like it.

After my recent post on Laura Fraser (see Tell Laura I Like Her…) I think it only right that we look at one of the films that backs up my claim that she is an overlooked and underrated talent. One of her best, and most archetypal, performances can be found in 16 Years of Alcohol.

Dear Shuggie, Ah, Shuggie.  What a life, eh?  Who’d be a referee.  (Actually, I’ll get to that later.) “The Tannadice Coverup” is what they’re calling it in the papers, though I’m sure Neil Lennon would have it as “The Tannadice Conspiracy”.  I think “The Tannadice Cockup” would be more appropriate.

I know I must sound like a broken record sometimes, some might even say predictable, but I like to think that consistency is a positive trait. That being said, when it comes to post-rock, I really am a walking contradiction.

SXSW has just released, earlier than ever, the first list of acts who have been invited to perform in Austin at South by Southwest 2011. Among the first 100 or so named are three Scottish acts: Jon Fratelli, Steve Mason and Dam Mantle. We’ll keep you updated here whenever more are announced.

There is a book which has arguably influenced modern Scottish literature more than any other, and it’s not the one you’re thinking of. James Hogg’s 1824 ‘The Private Memoirs and Confessions of a Justified Sinner’ has come to be many writers’ favourite Scottish novel, but few wear their hearts on the page like James Robertson.

Following the recent double bill of Belle and Sebastian with Teenage Fanclub in New York, Scottish music fans in America are in for another treat this week as Frightened Rabbit and The Phantom Band head to DC, Pittsburgh, Detroit and Chicago. Vic has more on two of Scotland’s best new bands.

Each Sunday we present some of the best new photos of Scotland in the gloaming, the magical time before sunrise or after sunset. This week featuring images of the Old Man of Storr, Newbie, Ibrox and Dundee.

I just don’t understand it.  I mean, I came back from the most amazing musical weekend I think I have ever enjoyed, and instead of being interested and happy for me, when I start telling people about it they get this weird look in their eyes which looks just a little like blind homicidal rage.  […]