We Are Scientists, Emma Pollock and Stanley Odd are among the bands announced for this year’s Stag and Dagger festival. (more…)

Roddy Woomble and Colonel Mustard and the Dijon Five are among the acts lined up for new Perthshire festival ‘March Into Pitlochry’. (more…)

Mogwai are to release a new album, ‘Atomic’ on 1 April. (more…)

Cocteau Twins singer Liz Fraser has written the music for a new drama based on the work of HG Wells. (more…)

Malcolm Middleton has announced a new album, ‘Summer Of ’13’. Due for release on May 27th, it was written and recorded by the former Arab Strap man and produced by Chemikal Underground dance wrangler Miaoux Miaoux.

The ten-track opus features guest appearances from Lone Pigeon – who contributes all the photography and artwork) plus Martin John Henry (De Rosa), Scott Simpson (First Aid Kit) as well as Julian Corrie (er, that’s Miaoux Miaoux).

The release is being undertaken via PledgeMusic, and as well as bog-standard CD, there are Deluxe Vinyl versions, Bonus Acoustic CDs, T-shirts, Art Prints and Handwritten Lyric Books etc. Any pro-order will get the buyer an immediate download of an alternative version of ‘Information In The Voice (Party Mix)’, which is different from the album version.

http://www.pledgemusic.com/projects/malcolmmiddleton

Tracklisting as follows:
1. Steps
2. You & I
3. Information In The Voice
4. Brackets
5. Like John Lennon Said
6. Little Hurricane
7. Music Ticks
8. Summer Of ’13
9. Big Black Hole
10. Lullaby

Madness, The Darkness and Arrested Development are among the headliners for 2016’s Belladrum Tartan Heart Festival (more…)

Mercury-nominee C Duncan is among the initial acts announced for 2016’s Brew At The Bog festival, which will take place on Friday 3rd and Saturday 4th June, at Bogbain Farm near Inverness.

Also listed for the beer-friendly fest are KLOË, JR Green
Springbreak, The Little Kicks, Pinact, HQFU, The Van T’s, Dead Boy Robotics, The Elephant Sessions, Blazin’ Fiddle, Vishten, Best Girl Athlete ,American Clay, Blue Rose Code, Adam Holmes & The Embers | Roman Nose, Genesee, Tijuana Bibles, Outblinker, HAWK,,Forever, Ex Libras, Bombskare, Armstrong, Colonel Mustard & The Dijon 5, Andy Gunn Band and Life on Standby.

More details at www.brewatthebog.com

After a lengthy break, De Rosa are set to return with their third album.

Now a three-piece* – the same lineup as recorded their debut, Martin John Henry (vocals, guitar), James Woodside (bass) and Neil Woodside (drums) – the band have moved to Mogwai’s Rock Action label for the release of ‘Weem’, out on 22nd January 2016. The 11 songs were recorded in, we’re told, a rural cottage before mixing the album with producer Andy Miller, who also worked on the band’s previous long-players ‘Mend’ and ‘Prevention’.

The band have a collection of live dates lined up –
19th December – Edinburgh, Kid Canaveral’s Xmas Baubles
16th January – Glasgow Celtic Connections, Hug ‘n’ Pint
30th January – Edinburgh, Summerhall
31st January – Aberdeen, Lemon Tree

More at www.derosaband.com

And there’s a rather unsatisfying trailer for the album below…

*not as pictured

Indie promoters Detour celebrate six years of putting on free shows in unusual locations (more…)

Belle and Sebastian will be joined by Mogwai and Young Fathers at their Save the Children benefit (more…)