Signed to Brown Sugar Records, they are currently putting the finishing touches to their album, and are due to play in London on 5 March, before returning to Edinburgh to perform at the Next Big Thing at the Picture House. This will be followed by a support slot for portly lesbian rap act, Yo Majesty! at Cabaret Voltaire on 27 March.
We are reliably informed that erstwhile Arab Strap man and sometime roving ambassador for Falkirk,
Aidan John Moffat, enjoys the occasional liquid refreshment with a meal.
So it was particularly pleasing to receive a genius promotional item in the form of a musical bottle opener. Upon making contact with the cap of a bottle, it plays a burst of Aidan's composition, The Little Beer Song. Whether this format is eligible for inclusion in the singles chart is uncertain, but fans can purchase one for £5 at
www.aidanmoffat.co.ukGlasgow's bid to become a Unesco City Of Music was approved so quickly that it took six months to appoint a director to oversee the initiatives set to accompany the accolade.
The job went to former Glasgow Concert Halls boss Louise Mitchell at the end of last month, and further announcements are expected soon. With her background in the classical sector it will be interesting to see what the title will mean for the city's thriving indie, rock and electronica scenes.
One recent announcement that was less welcome in Scotland's largest city was the closure of the
Barfly. According to a senior source at the venue's owners, it was prompted by cracks appearing in the floor, which were probably caused by building work taking place next door.
Haftor Medbøe, has long been a prominent figure on the Scottish jazz scene, but with the launch of his label
Fabrikant Records in 2008, he has been displaying what diverse tastes lurk underneath his jazz-purist veneer.
Hip-hop, adult-oriented rock, fusion, pop and electronica artists all appear on the label's roster, which hosts a special showcase night at The Lot in Edinburgh on 4 March. Acts include
The 48,
The Japanese War Effort,
Monosapiens,
Medbøe's eponymous band and several other bands on the label.
This year, Scotland's largest showcase event, goNorth, returns to Inverness for two nights of free gigs in the city on 11 and 12 June, as well as its own stage at Rockness on 13 and 14 June. Details of how to apply can be found at
www.goevents.info and the deadline is 27 March.
The application process has also opened for T Break, with a panel of music industry judges deciding on the acts that will perform at the initial heats. The winners at this stage go on to play at T In The Park. See
www.tbreak.co.uk for details of how to apply
Edinburgh's
Avalanche Record shop has launched an album club, which promises to focus on Scottish talent and Scottish labels. For £10 a month members will receive a new release, as well as the odd bonus surprise.
Beginning in March, the first CD will be a compilation of local favourites courtesy of Oxjam and includes James Yorkston, FOUND, Broken Records and St Jude's Infirmary.
The following month, the featured album is set to be the first international signing by the Fife-based Benbecula label – The Flowers Of Hell. Titled Come Hell Or High Water, it features contributions from members of Broken Social Scene, British Sea Power and Spiritualized.
The Flowers Of Hell are set to play a free in-store gig at Avalanche tonight, and later that evening a gig with Eagleowl and Wounded Knee at the Wee Red Bar.
• Olaf Furniss and Derick Mackinnon run
Born to be Wide where bands and people involved in the music scene are invited to play their favourite records (but not The Smiths or Joy Division).
The next night takes place at Edinburgh's Voodoo Rooms on 5 March and begins with a seminar How To Get Your Records Into Shops, featuring representatives from Scottish record shops and the director general of the Entertainment Retailers Association, Kim Bayley.
• Discover more great new music at the
Under the Radar blog