Is anyone having issues tring to get show 34 through iTunes (especially if you’re using a Mac) ?

I’ve had one email reporting a problem affecting Mac users using iTunes, and this week’s stats are showing a massive and unexplained drop. Now either there are lots of you out there on holiday and not downloading this week, or you don’t want an acoustic show, or there’s a genuine problem with the feed or Libsyn or iTunes.

If you’re having trouble with show 34, please let me know asap so I can take the appropriate steps.

Cheers !

Just a quick post to let everyone know that the gig went down a storm and a great night was had by all, which then carried on to drinks in the pub followed by an “Opal Dog” excursion for a 2am drink’n’dance session…. at which point I had to bow out and head home to bed (sad old wimp that I am). I’m sure I’ll hear the gory details from those involved soon and I’ll share them all with you 😉

Seriously though, my HUGE thanks and gratitude to the bands for making the night possible and for everyone who turned out to show their support and have a damned good time. I’ve had a number of enquiries about ‘the next one’ and bands have already been asking if they could take part, so watch this space….

I’ll be posting up the pics very soon.

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I don’t think I’ve ever put together a show yet that was pretty much acoustic-based, so now is the time to remedy that. This week’s Three From Leith features two solo artists and one band who demonstrate three distinct flavours of acoustic music. It’s an altogether different show but still one which is highly entertaining, enjoyable and showcasing some of the best independent talent out there. Time to get unplugged !!

Kim Edgar – Shelf
As recommended by her friend Karen Keighren who sits opposite me at work, another undiscovered local gem for your delectation. If you like what you hear, you can check out and buy Kim’s music here.
Kim’s MySpace
Email Kim

Mr Bennett – Pink Mane
As recommended by Santa Dog’s Links page, Mr Bennett is a Canadian living in Bristol who does a great line in witty, twisted lyrics in a vocal style reminiscent of the lovechild of Leonard Cohen and Lou Reed. Catch a CD for yourself here or email Mr B for more sales info.
Mr Bennett’s MySpace
Email Mr Bennett

Dropkick – Fiver Bag
My favourite local boys gone bad, m’kay ? with their tale of wee fiver bags of smack (or “smake” as I once saw it graffitied on a wall in Leith by the local illiterate neds), Buckfast tonic wine, chasing dragons and getting a shag. Get your hands on their priceless mini epics of Scottish life captured in song here.
Dropkick’s MySpace
Email Dropkick

This week’s Scottish Expression is “caw canny”

The soundbed is ‘Introvert4’ courtesy of Chronos on the PMN.
Three From Leith theme-tune by Alex Aitken

Big props given out to:
“The Hussy’s” for the CDs and for letting me know that TFL listeners from around the world have been getting in touch after hearing them on the show.
“Three From Leith presents:” gig tickets can be bought online here
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: Leith, Kim Edgar, Mr Bennett, Dropkick, Chronos, Three From Leith, computermusictutorials, The Hussy’s, Three From Leith presents, Ruby Studios, Santa Dog, Slow, AMP’ed, podcast, podcastusermagazine

In case you aren’t already aware, PodcastUser Magazine Issue 3 is now out, featuring more podcast reviews by yours truly amongst other excellent articles for both podcasters and listeners alike. You can find it online at www.podcastusermagazine.com, or subscribe to the RSS Feed and have it ever new issue delivered to your feed reader / aggregator of choice for free !

Technorati Tags: PodcastUser Magazine, www.podcastusermagazine.com, PodcastUser

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As a child, I grew up watching a developing a fondness for the ‘Carry On’ films. They’re a national institution, treasure and the source of endless hours of double-entendre-ridden amusement. Indeed today, if you say anything which could be misinterpreted in a mucky way, the other person is likely to respond with “Ooooohhh, Matron !”, quoting the much-loved Kenneth Williams.

Ah yes, Kenneth Williams. Wit, raconteur, actor and all-round funnyman; yet underneath it all a deeply unhappy, sexually-repressed and contradictory human being. I’ve read ‘The Kenneth Williams Diaries’ twice in my life and last week watched the BBC4 film “Fantabulosa“, which was a drama of his life based on his diaries. A mesmerising and stunningly accurate portrayal by actor Michael Sheen – expect a few BAFTA nominations for it soon.

Anyway, what has this got to do with Three From Leith ? Well, looking at the titles of the songs that I chose for the show this week I can see that there’s been some subconscious echoing of some major themes and emotions from Williams’ life. I hope you all enjoy them and if you’ve never seen a Carry On film, I urge you to go look them up and try one out as soon as you can. Now I’ve got to “stop messin’ about” and get on with the show !

eddyfink – In For Me
Described by ‘Dead or Alive’ as “Radiohead meets The Artful Dodger.” Whatever they are, this London 5-piece are a damn fine band.
eddyfink’s MySpace
Email eddyfink

46Bliss – Desire Give Way
“David Cooper, Clare Veniot, and Jack Freudenheim are 46bliss, the sophisticated electronica band taking over the pop culture landscape by stealth, and not a moment too soon” says Indie-Music.com
46Bliss’s MySpace
Email 46Bliss

The Martial Arts – Contemptuous Disdain
Doing very well in Sweden and abroad, this 4-piece Glasgow outfit deserves much more home support, so visit their site and show them your love !
The Martial Arts’s MySpace
Email The Martial Arts

This week’s Scottish Expression is “puggled”

The soundbed is ‘The Journey’ courtesy of Incidental Fusion on the PMN.
Three From Leith theme-tune by Alex Aitken

Breaking news– friends of Three From Leith, The Silent Revolution, are playing in the Emergenza Battle of the Bands Semi-Final this Friday, 7th April, at the Liquid Rooms in Edinburgh. Battling against them are 7 Story Ruin, Something Illegal, 10th Commandment, Bo Deadly and Elysium. Tickets are 5 pounds in advance from the band or 9 pounds on the door so it would be better to get them from the band ! If you’re able to, please go along and support Ali and the gang.

Big props given out to:
All of my many friends (listeners, bands, artists and fellow podcasters) who took the time to wish me a Happy Birthday last week – you made an old man very happy ! Thank you all very much.
“Three From Leith presents:” gig tickets can be bought online here
The FML Jukebox Podcast – JT’s official podcast of the Free Musician List.
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: Carry On, Kenneth Williams, Michael Sheen, eddyfink, 46Bliss, The Martial Arts, Incidental Fusion, Three From Leith, computermusictutorials, The Silent Revolution, Three From Leith presents, AMP’ed, podcastusermagazine

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Age is a terrible thing. It really affects your memory – I mean, it really does seem like only yesterday when I was celebrating my 30th, or 21st or 18th… I don’t look any older (apart from he odd grey fleck appearing in my still-thick hair), I still have the sense of humour of a 12yr-old schoolboy and I have a new girlfriend who’s not yet 30. Oh yes – and my boyish charm, wit and good looks.

I guess it’s all (mostly) in the mind, but then again there’s that load of extra weight that’s crept in which no longer goes away by eating less, so there’s a physical element to it too I suppose. Roll on the arrival of my first bike since I was a teenager, and getting myself back into peak condition !

In the meantime, I’m going to kick back and do a little advanced celebrating with an almost solid half-hour of great music. Enjoy this little birthday treat as I keep my mouth shut for a week and let the music talk for me !

Fischer Z – Birthday
All-round top bloke and one of the UK’s greatest underappreciated singer/songwriter/poets John Watts kicks off the party.
Fischer Z’s MySpace / John Watts’ MySpace
Email Fischer Z

Freddy – Let It Go
TFL’s no.1 Canadian friend and another all-round good guy Freddy Litwiniuk with the song that made my buy one of the first albums I got from an independent artist featured on a podcast (The Bob & AJ Show). A soaring chorus that lifted me right out of my seat on the bus. Magical.
Freddy’s MySpace
Email Freddy

Phideaux – Never Gonna Go
Why is Phideaux not a huge, million-selling artist ? There’s really no justice in this world. Consistently excellent and prolifically talented, here’s a track with one of those melodies and chord-progressions that stir the emotions and send shivers of pride down the spine.
Phideaux’s MySpace
Email Phideaux

Fourteenhours – Casualty
A lovely, jangly track from another fabulous Edinburgh band. Sadly I missed their recent gig but there’s always the next time. This is a rough mix, but still sounds better than many band’s final mixes.
Fourteenhours’ MySpace
Email Fourteenhours

Futuro – Lost In The Mess
This band had slipped right underneath my radar but a recent tartanpodcast brought them to my attention almost at the same time as the band contacted me. Cracking angular rock from these Glasgow boys who’re tipped for the top.
Futuro’s MySpace
Email Futuro

The Hussys – Tiger
After going down a storm on a recent TFL, it’s the return of top quirky-popsters The Hussys. They’re braw !! More hooks than a fisherman’s tackle-bag and more catchy too. They’re going to be thiiiiiiisss big (throws arms wide) !! Buy them NOW !!
The Hussys MySpace
Email The Hussys

The Overside – Beautiful Horizon
Take a dollop of Bruce Springsteen’s vocal cords, stir in a smidgeon of Van Morrison, season lightly with Tom Waits and cover in a layer of haggis before baking in a hot smokey oven. After an hour, reove and serve up TFL newbies The Overside. An addictive album.
The Overside’s MySpace
Email The Overside

Blueneck – oig
A haunting closing track from the enigmatic Blueneck from Bristol. All that Blueneck’s dunk will reveal is that ‘oig’ is an acronym. If you think you know what it’s an acronym for, drop me a line ! If you get it right then Blueneck will reward you for your perceptiveness with a CD and a T-Shirt !
Blueneck’s MySpace
Email Blueneck

This week’s soundbed is ‘Nae Tongues’ courtesy of Isa & The Filthy Tongues on Circular Records.
Three From Leith theme-tune by Alex Aitken

Big props given out to:
Catherine at Fretless Records for the fantastic Overside CD which you’ll hear more of very soon !
AMP’ed podcast – subscribe with this feed
Subscribe by RSS Feed to the free www.podcastusermagazine.com – Issue 3 out soon !


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

Technorati Tags: Fischer Z, John Watts, Freddy Litwiniuk, The Bob & AJ Show, Phideaux, Fourteenhours, Edinburgh, Futuro, The Hussys, The Overside, Blueneck, Isa & The Filthy Tongues, Circular Records, Three From Leith, computermusictutorials, Fretless Records, podcastusermagazine

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This week’s show was one of those where I started off planning a mellow show, but as I listened to the ‘to be played’ folder on my iRiver my mood began to shift. So the mellow led into the more upbeat (thanks to Row from Santa Dog for telling me about her new favourite band Papermoon), and then I was in such an upbeat and urgent mood when I came to record the show that nothing else would do except the final act on tonight’s bill of fare. Played back, they did make an amazing progression from one end of the mood spectrum (moodrum ?!) to the other and so another Three From Leith hits the feeds with top quality acts. If you enjoy it, please drop me a note and let me know; each show takes up a large chunk of my free time every week and it’s good to know that it’s been time well spent and enjoyed by you, my friends out there in the podosphere.

The Boy Lacks Patience – Call Centre Blues
From the stunningly talented Chris’s fabulous ‘Ill Advised’ album which I urge you to buy immediately.
The Boy Lacks Patience MySpace
Email Chris

Papermoon – Turning Colours Into Grey
Thanks to Row from Santa Dog for the heads-up, and Blair Purda from the band’s record label, Endearing Records (label MySpace) for sending me the tracks within minutes of contacting him. Please visit them if you can.
Buy the album or download it
Papermoon’s MySpace
Email Papermoon
Email their manager, Blair

stopstarts – My Watch Is Digital
Currently going down an absolute storm on Scottish podcasts, the Glasgow-based trio are selling out their CDs fast, so check here to see if you can still get one before it’s too late. With talent like this, you’d better get your skates on !
stopstarts MySpace
Email stopstarts
Email their record label

This week’s Scottish Expression is “glaikit”

This week’s soundbed is ‘Raining Colours’ courtesy of torchomatic.
Three From Leith theme-tune by Alex Aitken

Big props given out to:
“Three From Leith presents:” gig tickets can be bought online here
SantaPod – the Santa Dog podcast
AMP’ed podcast – subscribe with this feed
Subscribe by RSS Feed to the free www.podcastusermagazine.com – issue 3 coming soon


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

Technorati Tags: iRiver, Santa Dog, Papermoon, The Boy Lacks Patience, Endearing Records, stopstarts, torchomatic, Three From Leith, computermusictutorials, Three From Leith presents, AMP’ed, podcastusermagazine

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I’d just almost finished typing these podcast shownotes when I accidentally closed the wrong window and sent them into oblivion. I can tell you that the air turned just a little bit blue for a moment or two there. I no longer have the stamina nor the memory to retype them as they were, so my apologies if they’re a bit lacking. That’s what I get for allowing Dod Bush (as we call him in Scotland) onto the show to threaten me with a nuking and CIA monitoring…

Anyhoo – for your aural titillation I bring you three independent Scottish bands this week who are all brand new to Three From Leith. Please enjoy, and don’t forget to email them / me / your friends / the press / Dubya to tell them how great you found them !

Indafusion – David and The Great Fog
Opening track from the Fifers’ excellent upcoming “Runts Of Darwin” EP, due out on 17 April 2006. Find it here when it’s released, or content yourself with their debut album until then !
Indafusion’s MySpace
Email Indafusion

Gum – Time Going By
A track from their new mini-album, “Seven Feeble Alibis”, available to buy now
Gum’s MySpace
Email Gum

Tinrokit – Lost In The Niteklub
Incredibly catchy first track on their demo CD, which I’m sure you can email them and persuade them to sell you !
Email Tinrokit

This week’s Scottish Expression is “joogle”

This week’s soundbed is ‘Nae Tongues’ courtesy of Isa & The Filthy Tongues on Circular Records.
Three From Leith theme-tune by Alex Aitken

Big props given out to:
Whack My Bush – the podcast that takes the p*ss.
Sarah at Circular Records for the fantastic CD selection which you’ll hear more of very soon !
AMP’ed podcast – subscribe with this feed
Subscribe by RSS Feed to the free www.podcastusermagazine.com


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

Technorati Tags: podcast, Leith, Indafusion, Gum, Tinrokit, Isa & The Filthy Tongues, Circular Records, Three From Leith, computermusictutorials, Whack My Bush, podcastusermagazine

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Oh dear… for quite some time I’ve been playing music by Phideaux Xavier and referring to him as “fee-dough have-ee-ay” when in fact he’s “f-eye-dough ecks-ay-vee-yer”. See ? – too many years studying French at school have left their mark and forced me into imposing imagined pronunciations on foreign-looking names. Still, he took it in good humour and we’re still on speaking terms ! On this week’s show you’ll hear the opening track from the ‘lost’ Phideaux album – which is probably the only place you’ll ever hear it. Hold the presses – there’s an exlusive on this week’s Three From Leith !

Oh yes – please continue to encourage my weekly endeavours by leaving comments, sending emails or sending audio comments so that I know you’re out there, even if you are hiding behind the sofa in terror…!

Phideaux – Railyard
From the shelved ‘313’ album – another stunning and beautiful track from a man who’s talent never fails to leave me speechless. Buy his other works here on CDBaby – go on, treat yourself!
Phideaux’s MySpace
Email Phideaux

David William – Satellites
Another cracker of a track from the Edinburgh songsmith’s ‘One Way Ticket’ album. Buy it now!
David’s MySpace
Email David

Stutter – 21
‘Stutter is fast cars, roller rinks and dirty magazines..’ says their site. Great 80’s-sounding synth and guitar new-wave electro-popsters with feisty ladies and gents with a penchant for red, black and white.
Stutter’s MySpace
Email Stutter

This week’s Scottish Expression is “black affronted”

This week’s soundbed is ‘Space Stuff’ courtesy of Pierre Journel on the PMN.
Three From Leith theme-tune by Alex Aitken

Big props given out to:
Santa Pod – the Santa Dog Podcast
AMP’ed podcast – subscribe with this feed
Subscribe by RSS Feed to the free www.podcastusermagazine.com


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

Technorati Tags: Three From Leith, computermusictutorials, podcastusermagazine

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Another week, another new selection of amazing music from Scotland and beyond. This week I’ve been accepted into AMP (the Association Of Music Podcasting) where I join some very esteemed company. Yay ! It’s only taken over 21 weeks to happen, but I’m thrilled anyway. Not only that, but I’m also this week’s ‘Good Podcast Of The Week’ on the Cruisin With Susan podcast, which you’ll hear all about. I’m even being recognised at gigs now…. I’ll have to give Michael Jackson a call and ask to borrow some of his disguises to wear !! I’ll try to get some pictures of the gig posted up soon.

This week’s stellar line-up is:

The Hussys – Napoleon Dynamite, We Expected
Two tracks from the band’s new Napoleon Dynamite EP, which you can buy here
MySpace for The Hussys
Email the band

Audiocat – History
A cracking little track from this Si and David and their guest artists, Novenka and Clevergirl.
Hear more and download tracks – info on their website
Email the band

Staccato Set – Teun
“Encompassing raunchy, down right dirty, blues with flashes of rock n roll, a tight punky rhythm section, obviously influenced by dance music grooves, fuzzy fender slide guitar, engaging narrative songs and captivating, soulful, Hawick-style vocals.” Great band who straddle a compendium of styles !
MySpace for Staccato Set
Email the band

This week’s Scottish Expression is “bahookie freezer”

Soundbeds by torchomatic
Three From Leith theme-tune by Alex Aitken

Big props given out to:
Cruisin With Susan podcast
Dark Horse Radio podcast
AMP’ed podcast – subscribe with this feed
Subscribe by RSS Feed to the free www.podcastusermagazine.com


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

Technorati Tags: Scotland, Association Of Music Podcasting, Cruisin With Susan, The Hussys, Audiocat, Staccato Set, Three From Leith, computermusictutorials, Dark Horse Radio, podcastusermagazine