Listen here or use the player on the right, though I’d love you to subscribe !

After a nice rest last week, it’s good to be back and in the musical hotseat again as I bring you another sizzling set of independent tunes from around the world for your listening pleasure. Thanks for the messages from all those who missed me – good to know that you care (awwwwww !). I was very touched that you took the time to get in touch and say so. Right – enough of that. I’m back, the ‘Scottish Expression Of The Week‘ is back; dive in !

Moonschool – Starhunter
From way over there in LA, fresh from their 3-track demo and sounding slick and tight as a Scotsman’s grasp on his wallet, Moonschool kick us off this week. They have no ‘buy’ links, but drop them a note, say I sent you and I’m sure they’ll be able to help you out in getting hold of their music.
Moonschool’s MySpace
Email Moonschool via their MySpace page

Sisero – Ticking Clock
Enigmatic to the last (ie there’s no bio or detailed info on the band on their web pages !!), Sisero hail from Chicago, Illinois and their demo is available to buy on iTunes. They get extra credit for almost fooling me into thinking I was listening to Big Country in the first few seconds of the track !
Sisero’s MySpace
Email Sisero via their MySpace page

Black Lab – See The Sun / Ecstasy
Easily winning in the band bio stakes this week, Black Lab gets the honour of having two tracks played in the new TFL ‘3 bands’ format. The band have had songs on radio, MTV, film soundtracks (Spiderman, Buffy The Vampire Slayer, Blade: Trinity) and (if you’re in the US) on FX’s current promo for season six of ‘The Shield’. They’ve recently released their third album ‘Passion Leaves A Trace’, which you can preview here or buy here.
Black Lab’s MySpace
Email Black Lab

This week’s Scottish Expression is ‘Snotter’.
The soundbed was ‘Equinoxal’ by Incidental Fusion.
Three From Leith theme-tune by Alex Aitken

Want to record a comment or message for the show ? Click on the logo below !

Big props given out to:
Three Men In A Pod – who are this mysterious trio ? Why do they have no URL ? More info to follow soon…..
AMP’ed podcast – subscribe with this feed
Subscribe by RSS Feed to the free www.podcastusermagazine.com – February issue out now !

Thank you for continuing to support the independent artists in 2007 by listening, feeding back and buying their music.

Technorati Tags: Moonschool, Sisero, Black Lab, Incidental Fusion, Three From Leith, computermusictutorials, Three Men In A Pod, AMP’ed, podcast, podcastusermagazine

After 76 straight weeks of recording and publishing a podcast, I’ve decided that I’m going to have a well-deserved week off. I hope no-one’s left too disappointed.

I’ll be back bright and breezy with more great music for you on Tuesday 13th – see you then !

Listen here or use the player on the right, though I’d love you to subscribe !

It’s been a funny old week – I’ve been busy collecting more music for the show (huge thanks to everyone who’s dropped me a line so far singing the praises of bands they think would be great to play on the podcast) as well as doing some collaborative work with other podcasts. You’ll have seen from a previous entry in the shownotes that I guested on GD’s BiteSize Bonus, but in addition to that I’ve recorded a 15-minute ‘dj slot’ for an upcoming episode of podcast.dj. I really have been busy and quite immersed in the music, almost to the exclusion of all else. Podcasting can be addictive, folks – you end up craving the hit of sucessfully putting tracks together to create a great vibe. This is the result of another ‘fix’ !

Zack Weber – In Your Head
“Talented, charismatic and inspired, Zack Weber is a budding singer/songwriter with unstoppable drive and positive focus. Flourishing in his home state of Missouri, he is St. Charles’ best kept secret.” says the bio. He’s also much better looking and far more musically talented than me ! Get his album ‘Daydreams and Day Jobs’ here.
Zack Weber’s MySpace
Email Zack Weber

Head In The Shed – Have We All Gone Insane ?
Much more dancefloor-ish than anything I’d normally like or play, this track by Swansea’s electro-rockers reminded me so much of something from the ‘Trainspotting’ soundtrack that I really enjoyed it. Great punk growlings and snarlings in there too ! Matty thought my tastes were eclectic enough to like it and he was right !
Head In The Shed’s MySpace
Email Head In The Shed

The Alice Rose – All Over Your Body
From Austin in Texas, the band describe themselves as having Beatle-esque songwriting and melodies matched with a lyrical style drawing from Bob Dylan and Syd Barrett, though this track sounds very like Difford & Tilbrook of Squeeze were a huge influence. If you like this, then their debut album, “Phonographic Memory”, is available to buy now.
The Alice Rose’s MySpace
Email The Alice Rose

The soundbed was ‘Equinoxal’ by Incidental Fusion.
Three From Leith theme-tune by Alex Aitken

Want to record a comment or message for the show ? Click on the logo below !

Big props given out to:
AMP’ed podcast – subscribe with this feed
Subscribe by RSS Feed to the free www.podcastusermagazine.com – January issue out now – February coming soon!

Thank you for continuing to support the independent artists in 2007 by listening, feeding back and buying their music.

Technorati Tags: Zack Weber, Head In The Shed, The Alice Rose, Incidental Fusion, Three From Leith, computermusictutorials, AMP’ed, podcast, podcastusermagazine

The mighty Green Dragon has very kindly been throwing open a spot on his podcast – GD’s BiteSize Bonus – called ‘The BsB Takeover Guest Spot’. Today I was fortunate enough to have been allowed (in a virtual sense) into Typhoid Towers to hijack 10 minutes of his 282nd show.

Click the link above to listen. A huge thank you to Martin for allowing me on !

Technorati Tags: GD’s BiteSize Bonus

Listen here or use the player on the right, though I’d love you to subscribe !

The US, Canada and the UK…. musical treats from both sides of the Atlantic for your delectation and delight. Three From Leith truly has a global reach and is able to bring you a wide selection of tracks from across the musical spectrum. Whether the bands approach me or I approach them, each new discovery is like a shiny, new jewel which I am desperate to share with you, the listeners. Of course, you may have a favourite independent musician or band who’s never been on TFL and that you’d like to shout about from the rooftops. If you do, drop me a note and let’s see if we can bring it to the attention of everyone. Get writing ! Until then, enjoy this week’s line-up.

The Heise Brothers – Seven Long Years
A foot-tapper of a track from the brothers’ second collaborative album, ‘The Continuing Saga Of The Heise Brothers. You can find it, along with their other album, to buy and enjoy at home !
The Heise Brothers’ MySpace
Email The Heise Brothers

North Atlantic Explorers – When My Ship Comes In
The long, hypnotic opener from ‘Skylines’ which dropped through my letterbox on the day of recording. Shades of Arcade Fire and Sigur Ros made this the one I selected to play. Get your copy here and here!
North Atlantic Explorers’ MySpace
Email North Atlantic Explorers

The Pocket Gods – Night Lights
Tinkly, sparkly indie from favourites of the late, great John Peel. Basic, stripped back and helplessly catchy – it’s easy to see why John (and yours truly) loved it. Get their CD, ‘Sandringtonsput’, here.
The Pocket Gods’ MySpace
Email The Pocket Gods via their MySpace page

The soundbed was ‘The Archway At Blenheim’ by Torchomatic.
Three From Leith theme-tune by Alex Aitken

Want to record a comment or message for the show ? Click on the logo below !

Big props given out to:
AMP’ed podcast – subscribe with this feed
Subscribe by RSS Feed to the free www.podcastusermagazine.com – December issue out now !

Thank you for continuing to support the independent artists in 2007 by listening, feeding back and buying their music.

Technorati Tags: Torchomatic, Three From Leith, computermusictutorials, AMP’ed, podcast, podcastusermagazine

Listen here or use the player on the right, though I’d love you to subscribe !

My head is more together this week, or at least my brain’s working in unison with my tongue ! Sunday past was friend and listener Marilyn’s birthday – Happy Birthday, Marilyn !!! In celebration of this fact, the show opens with a band that she recommended to me. When I approached the band and mentioned that a friend of mine in the US had given me their name, they said, “Would that have been Marilyn ?” So, if you have a favourite independent (and podsafe) band you’d like to hear and bring to other lister’s attention, drop me a line or leave a comment. In the meantime, enjoy the liveliness, emotion and downright daft humour of this week’s line up.

The Towers – Stop. Wake Up
A huge favourite in the Madsen household over in LA, which I can appreciate now that we’ve been introduced to each other ! Get their new 12-track CD, ‘Pop By Numbers – the EP Collection’ by clicking here.
The Towers’ MySpace
Email The Towers

Seagull Strange – Love and Death
Hauntingly powerful and dripping with emotion, this second outing from Seagull Strange on TFL is a stunner. Their album, “Better Angels of Our Nature”, is now available for pre-order, at a discounted price, from Shifty Disco. If you place your order before the release date of 29th January 2007, you’ll also get exclusive access to “Black Day Dawning”; a free, non-album, download.
Seagull Strange’s MySpace
Email Seagull Strange

Dumb Instrument – What If Cliff
Combining a stripped-down backing with cynically funny lyrics, this paen to the UK’s virginal friend of Jesus and Peter Pan Of Pop, Sir Cliff Richard, is a pure joy to listen to. I laughed myself silly and immediately emailed friends from work with the band’s MySpace link. This, and other new versions of their tracks will be released this year on the band’s first EP, “Songs, ya Bas”.
Dumb Instrument’s MySpace
Email Dumb Instrument via their MySpace page.

The soundbed was ‘Sunlit Harbour’ by Torchomatic.
Three From Leith theme-tune by Alex Aitken

Want to record a comment or message for the show ? Click on the logo below !

Big props given out to:
The Morrisons – last week I stated that they didn’t have a MySpace when – in fact – they did. Click the link to hear more of their jangly, sparkly tracks.
AMP’ed podcast – subscribe with this feed
Subscribe by RSS Feed to the free www.podcastusermagazine.com – December issue out now !

Thank you for continuing to support the independent artists in 2007 by listening, feeding back and buying their music.

Technorati Tags: The Towers, Seagull Strange, Dumb Instrument, Torchomatic, Three From Leith, computermusictutorials, The Morrisons, AMP’ed, podcast, podcastusermagazine

Listen here or use the player on the right, though I’d love you to subscribe !

This week I seem to have been a bit tongue-tied (or maybe I was just braindead) and had terrible bother stringing a coherent thought or a coherent sentence together when I was recording the show. It felt very strange and rather worrying. Mind you, I was just in the recovery phase after a dose of the ‘Winter Virus’ which is sweeping the UK; my last few days off work were ruined as I spent them dying quietly and unable to move off the settee. Still, it put me in the mood for a more laid-back and contemplative feel to the show, so enjoy this week’s line-up.

Karma – 0 Miles
One of my outright favourite female vocalists / songwriters from quite a long time before I ever got into podcasting. A bewitching voice, stunning looks and incredible songwriting talent; it’s no wonder she’s been a number one artist in her native South Africa many times over. You’ll find links to buy her music all over the official Karma site and the MySpace site, and I’d urge you to treat yourself to a CD or two.
Karma’s MySpace
Email Karma

The Morrisons – Waiting For A Train
One-time recommendation of the legendary John Peel in the 80s, and finally back together again and continuing to produce the finest jangly pop ever to have emerged from Torquay, the Morrisons are making their TFL debut and will shortly be releasing their new album.
The Morrisons’ MySpace
Email The Morrisons

Robin Tymm – Going Nowhere Fast
A man after my own shyness and feelings of crippling self-doubt, Robin produces some of the most heartfelt and brilliantly soulful songs I’ve ever heard in the solo singer-songriter-musician genre – even if he doesn’t believe it !
Robin Tymm’s MySpace
Email Robin Tymm

The soundbed was ‘SadSequence_Part1-2(edited)’ by Fumitaka Anzai.
Three From Leith theme-tune by Alex Aitken

Want to record a comment or message for the show ? Click on the logo below !

Big props given out to:
AMP’ed podcast – subscribe with this feed
Subscribe by RSS Feed to the free www.podcastusermagazine.com – January 2007 issue out now !

Thank you for continuing to support the independent artists in 2007 by listening, feeding back and buying their music.

Technorati Tags: Fumitaka Anzai, Three From Leith, computermusictutorials, AMP’ed, podcast, podcastusermagazine

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Another new year, another new Three From Leith ! The weather did its best to conspire against the world-famous “Edinburgh’s Hogmanay” and succeeded in getting it cancelled, but the New Year came along anyway. Here’s hoping that everyone had a safe and happy one and wishing everyone all the best for 2007. Right – let’s kick this year off as we mean to continue with some stompingly great music.

Blind Pew – The Devil In I
Mixing satirical lyrics with music that’s oft-described as down and dirty rock n roll, Scottish four-piece Blind Pew have established themselves as one of the most promising bands on the Scottish music scene. Thanks to their manager Ally for permission to play this old version of the track: a new recording will be released as a single early in 2007. Keep your eyes on their website for details !
Blind Pew’s MySpace
Email Blind Pew

Montoya – Bubblegum Jane
Tablet Magazine described Montoya thus: “Clomping out of the gate like a bar band Tarantino would love, the brothers Montoya soon settle into ’70s rock swagger with an ease that belies their age.” I can’t disagree – stomping, stirring stuff that gets the blood pumping ! And talking about blood, check out their movie “Down For The Count”
Montoya’s MySpace
Email Montoya

Sleepthief – The Chauffeur
Featuring the voice of the lovely Kirsty Hawkshaw from London, and set for release as a single this month, Justin Elswick rides again as a leading exponent of electronica in this Rolls-Royce of a cover version of the old Duran Duran track. Remember to check out Kirsty’s ‘Making of’ video on Sleepthief’s MySpace page.
Sleepthief’s MySpace
Email Sleepthief via his contact page

The soundbed was ‘We Are Like Crystal’ by Aeryal.
Three From Leith theme-tune by Alex Aitken

Want to record a comment or message for the show ? Click on the logo below !

Big props given out to:
The Sonic Spotlight – War-N and Christa from Hungry Lucy expand their interview podcast into a music show playing the bands they admire and often talk about on Tea With Hungry Lucy’s ‘OPM’ slot.
AMP’ed podcast – subscribe with this feed
Subscribe by RSS Feed to the free www.podcastusermagazine.com – January’s issue out now, with my sE Reflexion Filter review !

Thank you for continuing to support the independent artists in 2007 by listening, feeding back and buying their music.

Technorati Tags: Aeryal, Three From Leith, computermusictutorials, The Sonic Spotlight, AMP’ed, podcast, podcastusermagazine

Listen here or use the player on the right, though I’d love you to subscribe !

I hope you all had a peaceful and happy Christmas and are currently settling back and trying to digest the overindulgences of the big day. Why not use this week’s Three From Leith as your aid to recovery and get up, shake of the sleepiness and work off those calories by having a god jump around to this week’s great tunes ?

Cedar Falls – Car Crash
Formed in late 2005, Cedar Falls are Robert Hough, Joey Lowtown, Keiron Coyne and Alex Williams, they hail from the outskirts of Liverpool and play some stomping indie rock. Get down with them and work off those sprouts !!
Cedar Falls’ MySpace
Email Cedar Falls via MySpace

Metropol – My Own Gravity
With a great Keane / Coldplay influenced-sound slathered in lashings of sparkling electric piano, this is a real post-Christmas cracker from Spain’s Metropol who hail from Valencia. Watch you don’t dance into Granny and knock her flying as you get right into this !
Metropol’s MySpace
Email Metropol via MySpace

The Stirring – So This Is How It Feels
A band I found on the Podsafe Music Network, this happy bunch of ex-pat Aussies now resident in Brighton in the UK are the perfect end to your TFL exercise routine for this festive season. They definitely know how it feels to be alive – which is how you should be feeling after shaking yer bahookies aff !
The Stirring’s MySpace
Email The Stirring

The soundbed was ‘Clear Air Turbulence’ by Nick and Gerald.
Three From Leith theme-tune by Alex Aitken

Want to record a New Year greeting for the show ? Click on the logo below !

Big props given out to:
The Sonic Spotlight – War-N and Christa from Hungry Lucy expand their interview podcast into a music show playing the bands they admire and often talk about on Tea With Hungry Lucy’s ‘OPM’ slot.
AMP’ed podcast – subscribe with this feed
Subscribe by RSS Feed to the free www.podcastusermagazine.com – December issue out now !

Thank you for continuing to support the independent artists in 2006 by listening, feeding back and buying their music.

Technorati Tags: Nick and Gerald, Three From Leith, computermusictutorials, The Sonic Spotlight, AMP’ed, podcast, podcastusermagazine

Listen here or use the player on the right, though I’d love you to subscribe !

Relief all round ! I’d just spent the best part of two hours putting the show together and the application hung when I came to save the finished file. It then managed to hang the PC and a hard reboot was the only solution. I thought I’d lost the whole thing and I was about to throw in the towel – fortunately, by some Christmas miracle the auto-save had been working away and I was able to recover the whole show. Phew ! Sit back and enjoy this year’s Christmas special with your mince pies, sherry and slippers. There’s some punk, some rock, some alt-country, some pop and lashings of cheese ! See you next week after the big day’s been and gone. Seasons Greetings one and all.

Bubble – Christmas Here On Mars

Dropkick – Writing To Santa (2006 version)

thehipcola – Sleigh Ride

3 Blind Mice – Watchstar

Pushstart Wagon – Christmas Tree Farm

The Kazoo Funk Orchestra – Santa’s Dead

mydols – Merry Freakin’ Christmas

Escape Goat – Christmas In Pizzaville

RaykoKRB – 12 Strippers Of Christmas

The soundbed was ‘Bluegrass Jingle Bells’ by Carl Vasta.
Three From Leith theme-tune by Alex Aitken

Want to record a New Year greeting for the show ? Or just a general comment on what you’ve heard ? Click on the logo below !

Big props given out to:Gabor, Richard & Jess for the comments. Marilyn who wanted to send one but was too full of the cold (get well soon, Marilyn !). Everyone who’s been a part of the show in 2006. Without you all I’d be talking to myself and playing silent tunes to dead air. Thank you.

Thank you for continuing to support the independent artists in 2006 by listening, feeding back and buying their music.

Technorati Tags: Bubble, Dropkick, thehipcola, 3 Blind Mice, Pushstart Wagon, The Kazoo Funk Orchestra, mydols, Escape Goat, RaykoKRB, Carl Vasta, Three From Leith, computermusictutorials