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

My little girl was 6 yesterday, so I’m starting to wonder where the time is going these days. Time used to creep by as a child, yet it’s careering away downhill faster than I can keep up with now that I’m officially ‘old’. On Sunday morning Jasna asked me if I remembered what it was like in 1945…. I had to laugh otherwise I would probably have clipped her lug for her cheek ! (That was a joke, folks, before you get straight on the phone to Social Services.)

So I’m feeling like I’m getting on a bit. I have hair growing in places where only old men should have it sprouting. But what the heck – here’s some great music to keep me feeling like a teenager !

Scott Jackson – C’Mon C’Mon
In honour of Bob & AJ and their laugh about ‘The Grant’, this is a track from a fellow Canadian. ‘Distractions’, Scott’s latest album, is “in the can” and will soon be available. The release is set for mid-June, in conjunction with a tour of Western Canada. Sample it and pre-order it here.
Scott’s MySpace
Email Scott

Junk – Wouldn’t Get Out Of Bed (For Anyone But You)
An incredibly accomplished track from Glasgow’s John Smith; hard to believe that this was recorded in his ‘smelly flat’. The only smell I can get here is the sweet smell of success; this is a winner. Form an orderly queue at the cash desk after you pick this up off the virtual shelf.
Junk’s MySpace
Email Junk

Sugardaddy – The Young
From my hometown of Dalkeith, the band who are highly recommended by Pope Benedict ! Wow – and check out those influences. Chaps with immense dignity and taste, as befits the sons of what used to be a beautiful Midlothian town. First came Fish (ex-Marillion), now make way for the new boys in town !
Sugardaddy’s MySpace
(Contact Sugardaddy via their MySpace page)

This week’s Scottish Expression is absent – it will return next week.
The soundbed is ‘Essence Of Dreams’ by Catherine Duc
Three From Leith theme-tune by Alex Aitken

Big props given out to:
The Bob & AJ Show – Canada’s finest export and their best podcasters by a mile. One of my regular weekly must-listens.
AMP’ed podcast – subscribe with this feed
Subscribe by RSS Feed to the free www.podcastusermagazine.com – issue 5 coming soon !


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

Technorati Tags: Jasna, Scott Jackson, Junk, Leith, Sugardaddy, Dalkeith, Scottish, Catherine Duc, Three From Leith, computermusictutorials, The Bob & AJ Show, AMP’ed, podcast, podcastusermagazine

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

There are strange sights to be seen at the moment in Edinburgh and Leith. Bovine weirdness abounds, for we have been taken over by the participants in this year’s Cow Parade. There are decorated cows aplenty with names which are terrible puns on many everyday items, people, artworks, situations or characters.

Jasna and I spent Sunday going around Ocean Terminal in Leith, armed with our respective digital cameras, doing some serious cow-spotting. She was shooting some brilliantly-framed pictures with her cheap little 3Mp camera, and is showing great promise as a photographer already at the age of five. Dad and daughter had a great time filling our memory cards !

Then, on the way back home we came across another cow outside the Malmaison Hotel on the Shore. Designed by television’s camp interior designers Colin & Justin, it was a brilliant cow in pyjamas and a sleepmask going by the name of “The Cow’s Pyjamas” (a riff on the well-known phrase “The Cat’s Pyjamas” which is used to express excellence).

Afterwards, when it came to thinking about what to call this week’s show, it stood out as the perfect expression to describe the trio of brilliant tracks coming your way in show 40 !

Vanderveen – Weekend Full Of Weekends
A track I’ve been meaning to play since the very start of TFL in September 2005, but thanks to my memory it never made it in. Happily I’m able to remedy that now ! A classic track to replay on a Friday night. The video for it is here. Enjoy !
Vanderveen’s MySpace
Email Vanderveen

Contramano – Contramano
What can I say about this brilliant band and its music ? Engaging, catchy as hell and oozing quality. Utter genius ! Catch the excellent video for the track on their MySpace page below.
Contramano’s MySpace
Email Contramano

Chris Gorman – Ashes
This is the Glasgow singer-songwriter’s second appearance on Three From Leith (the first was on show 27), and since then he’s been featured on a number of other shows. Powerful, emotional and gripping.
Chris’s MySpace
Email Chris Gorman

This week’s Scottish Expression is “Big jessie”.
The soundbed is ‘The Journey’ courtesy of Incidental Fusion on the PMN.
Three From Leith theme-tune by Alex Aitken

Big props given out to:
Hungry Lucy – War-N and Christa Belle create the finest ‘trip-pop’ on the planet, burp like professionals and recommend great podcasts !
AMP’ed podcast – subscribe with this feed
Subscribe by RSS Feed to the free www.podcastusermagazine.com – issue 4 out now !


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

Technorati Tags: Edinburgh, Leith, Cow Parade, Scottish, Incidental Fusion, Three From Leith, computermusictutorials, AMP’ed, podcast, podcastusermagazine

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

I had a lovely comment on the last show from the wonderful Christa Belle from Hungry Lucy about the effect that Under Electric Light’s track, ‘Sitting Here’, had on her. You can check out what she said here. I was delighted on two counts – (1) that Christa was listening in, as I adore her voice (and her burping !) and (2) that the music that I’m priviledged to be allowed to play is reaching out to people and touching them emotionally. I love the way that music has the ability to reach deep down inside us all and trigger off such an emotional response; the way we can suddenly be transported back to another time and place is simply incredible. I have so many memories that can be triggered off very vividly by a piece of music, or a track, or even a single musical phrase. Maybe you’d all like to share (via the comments) what emotional responses and memories music triggers off in you, and what that music is ?

In the meantime, here are three more amazing new songs for you – see what memories and emotions they can stir up !

The Ropes – Kill Her Off
Hopefully not an instruction anyone will follow (except metaphorically), I hope ! A cracking Garbage-esque opener from this band from the New York suburb of ‘Suicides Paradise’, which is the title track from their new EP. Buy it on Amazon now !
The Ropes’ MySpace
Email The Ropes

Touriste – Calm Down
With a strong dash of Snow Patrol, Coldplay and Radiohead, this band from the Isle Of Sheppey in Kent have some very strong material and some recommendations from the big players. You can buy their 2005 EP here and listen to more recent tracks here.
Touriste’s MySpace
Email Touriste

Whirl – If Only You Knew
Ahhhh, the lovely Nikki Nation ! As we say here in Scotland, she has a “belter o’ a voice” and a remarkable ability to write a melody that grabs you by the lapels and gets right in your face, demanding a repeated listening. I cannot recommend the Whirl album highly enough – it’s one that you MUST have in your collection.
Whirl’s MySpace
Email Whirl

This week’s Scottish Expression is “jobbie”.
The soundbed is ‘Sunrise’ by torchomatic on the PMN
Three From Leith theme-tune by Alex Aitken

Big props given out to:
Hungry Lucy – War-N and Christa Belle create the finest ‘trip-pop’ on the planet. And burp like professionals.
AMP’ed podcast – subscribe with this feed
Subscribe by RSS Feed to the free www.podcastusermagazine.com – issue 4 out now !


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

Technorati Tags: Hungry Lucy, The Ropes, New York, Leith, Touriste, Whirl, Nikki Nation, Scottish, Three From Leith, computermusictutorials, AMP’ed, podcast, podcastusermagazine

Listen here or use the Player on the right.

What’s in the title ? You’ll have to listen to find out, though I can say that a few listeners have expressed some cycle-related concerns following comments I’ve made in previous shows. Fear not, dear listeners – it’s not as bad as I’ve made it sound !

This week there are new tracks from two artists previously featured on Three From Leith, plus two brand new bands to the show. Yes, I bent the rules again and played 4 tracks instead of 3 but – hey – it’s my show and I get to play God with my creation.

Czeduce – Smashed
The excellent title track from their new ‘Smashed’ EP, with a beautifully clean and sparkling production job you can almost feel like you’re in the same room as the band when they’re playing. Grab the EP here whilst you can !
Czeduce’s MySpace
Email Czeduce

Under Electric Light – Sitting Here
Old friends of Three From Leith, Danny and Matthieu have recently completed their new EP which you can preview on their MySpace page and buy here by clicking on the PayPal logo. A marvellously retro-sounding slice of 80s electro-pop heaven with a modern twist, with evident echoes of New Order and OMD.
Under Electric Light’s MySpace
Email Under Electric Light

The Sway – Void of Charity
An Indie/Mod/Punk/Rock’n’Roll band from Dunfermline in Fife, with a style that would seem to cover all bases, the boys formed in 2000 and are still going strong, as evidenced by this great track, You’ll find more on their site to listen to and also catch their live pics to see the energy in action.
The Sway’s MySpace
Email The Sway

This week’s Scottish Expression is “pan”.
The soundbed is ‘Essence Of Dreams’ by Catherine Duc
Three From Leith theme-tune by Alex Aitken

Big props given out to:
Catherine Duc for allowing me to use her music – thanks Catherine. much appreciated !
AMP’ed podcast – subscribe with this feed
Subscribe by RSS Feed to the free www.podcastusermagazine.com – issue 4 out now !


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

Technorati Tags: Czeduce, Leith, Under Electric Light, The Sway, Dunfermline, Fife, Catherine Duc, Three From Leith, computermusictutorials, AMP’ed, podcast, podcastusermagazine

The latest issue of this incredible, free PDF-based magazine is now available, featuring my article on the TFL showcase gig. Download it now by clicking on the image.

Listen here or by using the new Feedplayer in the sidebar, but I’d love you to subscribe instead !

OK – wipe that smirk off your face and stop being so dirty-minded ! The show title is a reference to the fact that I’m playing two tracks – with special permission – from a cracking Scottish band who are signed to a proper record label. Their debut 2004 album, Please Describe Yourself, was produced by the legendary Clive Langer and Alan Winstanley, who have worked with Madness and The Smiths, amongst others. The style refers to the wonderfully classy and stylish Papermoon, who’re taking us on a little journey for which you’ll need to pack your lederhosen.

On a separate note, the Three From Leith Showcase gig pictures are now up (see the post below this one or click the link to go straight there).

Finally, if you’re into motorsport you may recognise the interloper getting in on the act and introducing a song on the excellent The Dogbox Podcast hosted by TFL’s good friend Bruce in Australia.

Dogs Die In Hot Cars – I Love You Cause I Have To
Brought to my attention in summer 2004 by my brother (who picked it up with his monthly pile of CDs by artists he likes the look of but doesn’t know – thanks, Keith !) and consequently never off my iRiver on my jaunts in the US and Mexico that September. Gloriousy unique, incredibly catchy and chock-full of 100% upbeat goodness. The band are recording their second album as I write and I for one can’t wait. Huge thanks to Craig from the band for the permission to play the songs.
DDIHC’s MySpace
Email DDIHC

Papermoon – Daytrip to Salzburg
Sparkly, bubbly and so damn addictive – the stylish and self-confessed ‘earplug band’ are making me think so much of summer that I get so upset when I look out the window and realise that it’s only just turned May and the weather doesn’t match the feelings I’m having. Ach well, I’ve ordered the album now so there’s a whole little shiny disc of delights winging its way here from Canada. Yippee !!
Papermoon’s MySpace
Email Papermoon

Dogs Die In Hot Cars – Godhopping

Hollow Horse – Prayer To St Jude
Busy recording their next album, the fantastically world-famous (via many podcasts) and popular Glasgow band get another outing on TFL. One of Scotland’s great undiscovered gems, with shades of Gerry Rafferty (which I may have mentioned before !), they’re a must-have for your CD collection. Get the plastic out and head over here and spend, spend, spend !!
Email Hollow Horse

This week’s Scottish Expression is “breeks”.
The soundbed is ‘Cebrella’ by Denis Kitchen
Three From Leith theme-tune by Alex Aitken

Big props given out to:
Endearing Records – Blair and the gang at the label who bring us such delights as Papermoon
AMP’ed podcast – subscribe with this feed
Subscribe by RSS Feed to the free www.podcastusermagazine.com – issue 3 out now, and 4 out soon !


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

Technorati Tags: Scottish, Papermoon, Leith, The Dogbox Podcast, Dogs Die In Hot Cars, Hollow Horse, Three From Leith, computermusictutorials, Endearing Records, AMP’ed, podcast, podcastusermagazine

With apologies for the delay, the TFL gig pics are now online for your viewing pleasure.

Click the image to enter the gallery.

Listen Here

Welcome to another weekly instalment of cracking independent, podsafe music. This week I’ve even managed to emphasise the international nature of the show by including a tune resplendant with bagpipes by a Scottish band with – wait for it – an Argentinian piper !

I mention in the show about these shownotes and whether I should retain their rambling verbosity or trim them back. To illustrate the point this week I’ll use short notes – let me know what you prefer. (You can see the rambling version in previous shows !)

The Scottish Enlightenment – Pathetic Ascetic
MySpace
Email The Scottish Enlightenment

Electrum – Interference
MySpace
Email Electrum

Stone Autumn – Revolution Song
Email Stone Autumn

This week’s Scottish Expression is “radge”.
The soundbed is ‘Seabed’ by the Reeds
Three From Leith theme-tune by Alex Aitken

Big props given out to:
Santapod – The Santa Dog podcast, featuring their Scottish mini-tour audio diary (including the TFL gig)
AMP’ed podcast – subscribe with this feed
Subscribe by RSS Feed to the free www.podcastusermagazine.com – issue 3 out now, and 4 out soon !


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

Technorati Tags: podsafe, Scottish, The Scottish Enlightenment, Electrum, Stone Autumn, Reeds, Three From Leith, computermusictutorials, Santapod, Santa Dog, AMP’ed, podcast, podcastusermagazine

Listen Here

Well, as my Granny used to say, “That’s it a’ as far awa’ as ever it was again” – and wise words they are indeed. The ‘Three From Leith Presents:’ gig has been and gone, and I think I can safely say that it was a huge success and that all present had a fabulous night !

Everything went smoothly and like a dream. I was in my element getting to see everyone live, people were dancing and swaying about, everyone whooped and cheered and I managed to keep my anonymity pretty darned well 😉

All of the bands had fun and cheered each other on, and after all was said and done we made our way to a local hostelry to celebrate with a few beers and oddly-name shooters. We had a ‘win-the-shooter-that-the-Santa-Dog-table-ordered-by-mistake’ quiz, ably won by Stewart whose intellect was working slightly faster than the rest of the Opal Sky table. Bowel habits were discussed (heh heh !!). Martin came up with a series of badge suggestions worthy of someone obsessed with educational subjects. Rob acquired a faraway look inspired by his return to Edinburgh, a city he lived in and loved.

Basically, we all had a great night and everyone got on like a house on fire. So, if you missed it – here’s a chance to relive what the night was like, musically:

Chocyamo – Leaves
Winning the prize for being the youngest-looking band of the night, and for the best leaps off into the audience. Oh, and for impressing Martin Maidment with their melodica (as he brought his along too !)
Chocyamo’s Myspace
Lindsay’s MySpace
Andrew’s MySpace
Email Chocyamo

Santa Dog – Chemical (2006)
For their prizewinning antique of the evening (Martin, oldest man on stage on the night !), buying me my dinner and refusing to let me pay for a round of shooters ! Oh, and for giving me such a good laugh with their post-gig banter and conversations. Nice one ! But most of all for being the catalyst for the event, for arranging the venue and the support bands and for creating the stunning posters. My undying thanks, love and respect to you all.
Santa Dog’s MySpace
Email Santa Dog

Opal Sky – Dead & Gone
Yes, I’ve played this before on TFL, but it’s a stunning song and even more breathtaking when it’s played live. Prizes go to Thilo for his bad-hair-hiding woolly hat, despite the heat on stage, and to Karina for her crackling rapport and bantering with the audience.
Opal Sky’s MySpace
Email Opal Sky

This week’s Scottish Expression is absent; it will return next week !

The soundbed is ‘Rumble Groove’ courtesy of George Fletcher – Bourbon Renewal on the PMN.
Three From Leith theme-tune by Alex Aitken

Big props given out to:
Tom the soundman at Cabaret Voltaire for his top work and getting it all spot on.
“Ruby Studios – Rob Williams from Santa Dog’s studio, as used by Santa Dog, Mr Bennett and Slow, amongst many others.
AMP’ed podcast – subscribe with this feed
Subscribe by RSS Feed to the free www.podcastusermagazine.com – issue 3 out now !


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

Technorati Tags: Opal Sky, Edinburgh, Chocyamo, Three From Leith, computermusictutorials, Cabaret Voltaire, Ruby Studios, Santa Dog, Mr Bennett, Slow, AMP’ed, podcast, podcastusermagazine

*** UPDATE ***
I’ve backed out the changes I’d made and it looks like it’s resolved the issues for now. If you’re still having problems, let me know.

It looks like the problem isn’t just with iTunes, as I’ve noticed that my own aggregator (RSSRadio) is not showing any audio enclosures (though my Feedburner feed definitely has them in there).

Oh heck. That’s the last time I try and use any new WordPress podcasting plugins….

I’ll do my best to get this rectified asap. In the meantime, you should be able to direcctly download the files from the site by right-clicking on the Listen here link on each show post.