It’s still pretty quiet round here – too darn quiet – but Celtic Connections kicks off this week which should brighten the dark winter evenings a little over the next few weeks.
And King Tut’s still has its New Year Revolution series – pick of the bunch will be Penguins Kill Polar Bears on Tuesday. They’re last on the bill suggesting they’re on first in support to Life on Standby and Mono Six, but as we found to our cost last week, these lineups are subject to sudden and irritaing change, so who knows?

In Glasgow but not in any celtic-related way Stephen Malkmus brings the Jicks to Oran Mor on Tuesday. Did you know that Malkmus has now recorded more albums with his new band than he did with Pavement? Makes you think, eh? Best not overdo it though.

Anyway, to Celtic Connections, which has a vast range of musical styles, almost everything you could want from an eclectic folk-ish-themed celebration of Scottish music. Well, apart from Frog Pocket.
On Friday 17th, at The Arches, Mull Historical Society, while in Edinburgh, a gig! And it’s Woodenbox, who play the Teviot Union.

A clash of the titans on Saturday – a non-CC show for Travis, who play the Barras, in direct opposition to another Scottish indie legend – Sexual Objects (fronted by former Fire Engine Davy Henderson, who are in support of the reformed and revitalised Pop Group, at the ABC2. Another fast fact, the band’s Gareth Sager was born in Edinburgh, making them ripe for adoption and certainly Celtic Connections’ most ‘out-there’ choice.

Looking east on Saturday, and Simian Mobile Disco – remember them? – at the Liquid Room.

On Sunday at the Tron, an intriguing lineup with Bill Wells’ National Jazz Trio of Scotland, alongside Alasdair Roberts.

And Aberdeen on Sunday, first of the year for Daniel Mutch who is at the Lemon Tree.