Category Archives: music

West End Festival

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West end festival

Celebrating its 20th year in business, the West End Festival has returned to Glasgow with bigger acts than ever before.

Festival Founder Michael Dale said:“The 2015 WEF has a lot of big names, including comedian Elaine C Smith, choir composer Mark Carroll, and (the Gruffalo) author Julia Donaldson.

“There is a real mix of activities scheduled: music, shows, food and drink stalls, galas and guided walks through the city.”

Over 100 Glasgow-based organisations have joined the festival, which showcases arts groups and local talent. The festival does this by presenting national treasures alongside hidden gems.

Dale said: “One of the most exciting local acts at the West End Festival will be a collective of Samba players (from across Scotland). The Samba players will be performing at the end of the parade, on the steps of the Kelvingrove Art Gallery, and again at the Kelvingrove bandstand.”

He added: “The bandstand will also be hosting lots of local bands (of different genres) on the last day of the festival.”

Another musical must-sees, Dale said, is the WEF Festival of Choirs. This concert unites Glasgow Phoenix, Govan Gaelic, Dublin Airport, Glasgow Philharmonic Male Voice, and the Govan Schools Combined Choirs, at the Govan Old Parish Church.

He said: “Govan used to be in the same borough as Partick, till about 1914, so the choir concert celebrates this connection to the West End.”

Connecting the West End to the international music scene is Elaine C Smith and Christina Dunwoodie’s show, Torch Song Divas. The show (running at Websters Theatre) will examine eternal themes of love, loss, betrayal in a variety of genres.

Dale added: “Torch Song Divas should be great; it promises lots of big song numbers.”

While the adults are bound to love the gigs, Dale explained there is more to the festival than music.

He said: “The festival appeals to people of all ages, for kids there is a series of children’s author talks, both in and outside of schools.”

Among these talks is Julia and Malcolm Donaldson’s appearance at Maryhill Central Community Hall. Here the authors will be joined by illustrator Nick Sharratt, to recount tales from their books.

Books may not appeal to all kids, and so Dale explained interactive family workshops are also sprinkled through the festival.

He said: “There will be lots of workshops, including those ran by the Children’s Wood group (in North Kelvinside). This group offers nature based workshops exploring things like bugs in the habitat.”

For the less green fingered, there will also be workshops ran by professional artists, making  costumes for the parade.

The parade, Dale explained, was one of the founding principles of the festival.

He said: “The first festival was in June 1995 and it occurred to me then that we needed a way to promote the event; so I came up with the idea of having a parade, not that I had a one to hand, but I didn’t think it would be too hard to make.

“I met some people who wanted to start a parade in Glasgow, and make the costumes, so between ourselves we created the first West End Festival.”

Although it is an iconic part of the festival, Dale stressed that there is more to the event than the procession.

He said: “The West End comes alive in a special way during the festival. There are events throughout each day, including: exhibitions, concerts, food and drink. Those who have never been to the area before will be surprised just how much there is to do.”

He concluded: “A lot of the festival is free, with many people taking part on a voluntary basis.

“The West End Festival Website has a search function that you can use to find free events each day.”

 

 

Merchant City Festival

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Merchant City Festival

Preparations have begun for this year’s Merchant City festival and it promises to be the biggest yet. Running twice the length of previous events, the 2015 bill will span July 25 – August 2.

Festival Executive Producer, Lorenzo Mele, said: “The 2014 Festival was exceptional because it supported the Commonwealth Games, acting as the cultural centre for the programme. Last year’s festival brought the city alive with outdoor content and that will continue this year.”

The outdoor content is expected to include acting, circus performances, and of course music.

Mele said: “The festival will include lots of different art forms, but its central element will be music. We have two outdoor stages every year and this year they will host a variety of artists, playing everything from rock, to RnB, and dance music.”

The Brunswick Street Stage will have a marquee with large screen and bar area; while the Emerging Talent Stage will showcase new bands.

Indoors, the Blackfriars Stage will once again feature music acts, but this year it will also become a comedy hub.

Headline comedy and music events will be cost ticketed, however Mele explained the majority of festival events will be free.

Bargain-seekers can enjoy a variety of performances and workshops throughout the day.

Mele said: “We want the festival’s daytime schedule to appeal to as much as the night; so we are hosting a weekday family zone, in Merchant City Square, from 27 –31 July.

“The festival will have interactive workshops for toddlers and parents; music for adults; and this year – for the first time – a programme for those 55 and older.”

Mele welcomed guests from all ages and walks of life.

He said: “The Merchant City Festival is good at bringing the focus on art, but also at attracting members of the public who wouldn’t usually go to gigs.”

He described plans to attract shoppers with interactive fashion and beauty events.

Mele said: “The team are examining ways to make the fashion element of the festival interactive, with things like upcycling and accessorising workshops.”

He added: “We have a Barcelonan act coming to the festival, called Osadia. This group create fantasy makeovers, taking people from the audience and transforming their look with hair and make- up sculpture.

“Osadia performed at the festival last year and they were hugely popular, so we look forward to having them back.”

Another international act Mele anticipates being a hit, is Dutch musician-come- chef: The Screaming, Cooking Prince; whose act does what it says on the tin.

As well as international acts, the festival will showcase home-grown talent.

Mele explained: “One of the highlights will be a UK dance performance called Fragile; a world Premier show from the Motionhouse dance company. It will involve around 25 performers dancing in, on and around JCB diggers. It should be quite spectacular.”

He concluded: “The Merchant City Festival really does have something for everyone. As well as great acts there will be stalls selling food from around the world.”

The festival’s themes include: Scotland’s Year of Food and Drink, and Glasgow’s Year of Green; these themes provide inspiration for organisations hoping to participate.

Organisations hoping to participate in Merchant City Festival can apply for grants of up to £500, through the Get Involved Fund.

Proposals should include specially planned activities that incorporate city space.

Galoshans Festival

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GALOSHANS PIC

There’s a new UK arts festival and it’s called the Galoshans. With the Scots name for ‘guising’ it’s unsurprisingly scheduled North of the border. The exact location is however, more surprising. Unlike most Scottish festivals, it isn’t going to Glasgow or Edinburgh, rather Inverclyde.

Bringing the festival to Inverclyde is Scottish charity UZ Arts. The group works to commission, produce and distribute art in all its forms.

UZ Arts Executive producer, Jo McLean, said: “The Community Trust had been organising events as part of the Inverclyde Space programme and, in 2014, they spoke to UZ Arts about growing a festival.

“The Galoshans was an idea that the Community Trust had introduced to us. They told us it was a traditional folk play about George and the dragon. The original custom was to perform the play in spring;  but Inverclyde adapted it to take place around Halloween [alongside guising]. ”

Now UZ Arts are expanding the custom into an arts festival. The festival will still nclude the Galoshans play, as well as music, performances, and installations throughout Inverclyde.

Galoshans will run from 30 October to 1 November, with a complimentary fringe programme that ends in  Inverclyde’s firework display (November 7).

As well as this, the festival will launch with a symposium entitled Moving Out, which pushes artists and audiences outside of their comfort zones.

Using the European network IN SITU, UZ Arts will bring artists across seas to engage with the people of Inverclyde. The artists will create work outside conventional venues, reimagining iconic landmarks.

McLean said: “UZ Arts are part of IN SITU, a 19 country network, which funds international arts projects, and enables collaberations. IN SITU artists will be coming to the Galoshans festival to showcase their work.”

As well as artists, the public can get involved with the Galoshans.

McLean explained: “UZ Arts will be looking for volunteers to assist at the festival. We will also be running internships and opportunities, especially aimed at young jobseekers.

“Whenever UZ Arts run a festival we always try to make it benefit the local community.”

All visitors will benefit from the Galoshan’s reasonably priced and free events (ticket details to be confirmed).

McLean concluded: “We hope the festival will celebrate the international community, while reflecting the Inverclyde’s local pride.”

Galoshans may continue to be an annual source of pride, as UZ Arts have provisionally planned to roll it out in future years.

To get involved with the 2015 festival, visit the UZ Arts Website or email the team.

Ballroom Blitz

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 Ballroom 4

Ballroom has hit a renaissance, with programmes like Strictly Come Dancing dispelling its myth of antiquity. Instead its speedy steps; dapper dress and modern music have been exposed.

Glasgow Ballroom Dancing Society instructor Julia White said: “Ballroom is not just a stuffy old waltz that travels around the room. It can be a fiery Latin Samba, graceful Foxtrot or a whirling- twirling Viennese Waltz. There is something in it for everyone and can be lots of fun; even addictive.”

Having moved from America to Annisland, White (who is now 24) sought to continue Ballroom and this brought her to the Glasgow club.

She said: “Unfortunately at the time the club didn`t have a competing group, so I began to help plan trips to competitions. The group is currently in its 3rd year but the competitive aspect only began this year, and the response has been even greater than expected.

“With expansion of the club we have found more experienced students to help teach some of the introductory classes, and just this year we found a professional to help teach the more experienced dancers.”

Leading the group is Society President Marit Behner, she and White join the rest of the executive board booking rooms, organising events and keeping members happy.

21- year- old Behner, joined the group in 2013, but first started dancing at age thirteen in Germany (where Ballroom is a rite of passage). Having lost practice for a while, Behner returned to the art in college, before joining the Glasgow Society in 2013.

Despite her early start, Behner explains that the art is open to everyone, with no previous experience needed.

She said: “We aim to make beginners classes so everyone can join and learn dancing from scratch. Once you know the basics you can move up to intermediate class.”

White agrees: “Our beginner’s class is perfect for anyone that has never danced before, and for those who have danced but want to learn the basic Ballroom footwork. As dancers progress they can move up to the intermediate class which adds addition footwork and moves.

“We don’t force anyone to move up; they can come to as many of the classes as they want, although the more they do come the faster they will learn.”

Classes run Monday and Wednesday in Glasgow University’s Union and Chapel buildings. Updates on class locations can be found on the Society’s facebook page.

Monday hosts an open floor from 2 to 3pm, where dancers can practice and socialize, then it’s Beginners from 3 to 4pm and Intermediates from 4 to 5pm. Wednesday from 3 to 4pm is a mixed Intermediate and Beginners class; then from 4 to 5pm is Competitors. Class slots also vary from term to term.

Beginners and Intermediate classes are £5 is per lesson, with the fourth free. Competitors’ classes are a further £5.

Beginners need only bring themselves, no fancy footwear or partner is required.

Behner said: “Our intermediate and beginner classes are open without a partner; we rotate partners throughout the class, to keep it mixed and sociable.

“For our competitive class however, we ask people to come with a set partner, though we help pairing people up at the beginning of term.”

She added: “We have a good mix of ladies and gents or leaders and followers. At some points we have more leaders, at others more followers, but it is no problem pairing people with the same gender. In fact, it’s taught me a lot more than just being a follower.

“In terms of age we have mostly students attending, but are open to all ages as long as people enjoy dancing.”

A standard class teaches two different dance styles, usually one Latin (such as Rumba, Chacha or Samba) and one Standard Ballroom (such as Tango, Waltz, and Quickstep).

White concluded: “There are wonderful benefits to dancing, whether it`s gaining confidence, improving posture, getting in better shape or even just making new friends. It`s fun and the people are friendly. There`s nothing to lose from trying.”

For more information visit the Glasgow Ballroom Dancing Society facebook page.

 

Staycations

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elgin

January is a trying time of year, with many of us facing little money or annual leave left after Christmas. Team this with seasonal hibernation and you have the perfect recipe for cabin fever. How can this slump be overcome? A staycation.

A staycation can be any length of domestic holiday, from minibreak to camping excursion. It may not have the sun of a foreign trip, but with less travel time you can up and go spontaneously. This spontaneity won’t then be ruined by flight delays and hours spent in an airport.

But, I hear you say, ‘British accommodation is so expensive, I could get a package holiday with this money’. Compared to package hotels UK venues are pricier, but with good reason, our minimum wage is higher than that of many countries.

So while you enjoy a UK break you can bask in the virtue of supporting fair pay, local industry and carbon – reduction (from not flying).

Still not sold? Well let me tell you about some great Scottish staycations I have had.

St Andrews

A beach break led me to Kingsbarns in St Andrews. This picturesque town was the scene of a group camping trip, where eight of us pitched up on white sands. Camping gear, food and drink aside, it was free of charge.

My friend’s past experience led us to a perfect spot with a free car park, public toilets and a quiet strip of beach.

The good weather held out all night, so we enjoyed a BBQ, games and campfire before the rain started the next morning. Word of advice; this trip is best saved for summer.

Dunfermline

Another beach break led my boyfriend and I to Charleston, a seaside town minutes from Dunfermline. We took advantage of a daily deal site and got two nights in The Elgin House Hotel, with wine and chocolates for £90. The hotel provided comfy – if dated – accommodation but its bar, garden and seaside view more than compensated.

The next pleasant surprise came in Dunfermline’s town centre. Trip adviser led us to a beautiful restaurant called Ciao Italia with mood lighting, chic décor and gorgeous food. Once full we went to PJ Malones rock bar and enjoyed some live music. The variety and quality of nightlife was amazing; a real hidden gem.

The next day we blew away our hangovers with walks on beach and through the dramatic Carnegie Park.

Drimsynie

Dramatic views were also had at my favourite staycation: Drimsynie holiday village. This gorgeous Highland retreat features log cabins, outdoor activities, a spa, pub, restaurants and walkways. Prices start at around £200 a weekend (for a two bedroom cabin) but splurging could upgrade you to a hot tub lodge.

The resort hosted my Auntie and Uncles’ Golden wedding celebrations and our extended family all had a ball. My cousin brought her dogs and they joined us for BBQs on the porch and long walks. After the communal fun, I chilled with a massage and swim in the spa.

With a perfect mix of private and public space this staycation would be great for couples or families.

If these tales don’t have your feet itching what will?

Budget festive fun

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Christmas is a time of joy, but shopping and parties can leave you skint before the big day. So instead of throwing money at it, why not take Noel back to its humble roots. Here are my five tips for budget festive fun.

 

  1. Bake it off, I bake it off…

Baking is pretty cheap and an easy way to get your house smelling festive. Among the meagre ingredients of your kitchen there’s bound to be a treat. Only got eggs and sugar, well then you can bake meringues! Or combine cereal and melted chocolate to make crispy cakes. No need for cook books, just enter your ingredients into Supercook website and it will provide the recipe.

Missing some vital tool (like an electric whisk) well why not ask your neighbours if you can borrow theirs, Christmas is a time of sharing after all. You can reward this generosity with some of the aforementioned cake.

  1. Give it away, give it away now…

Christmas is a time for giving, so it’s nice to include a bit of philanthropy. Can’t afford a donation? Then why not round up your old clothes and bric-a brac to give to a charity shop. One man’s junk is another man’s kitsch, so clear out the old and make room for the new. To find a charity shop near you, search your post code on Charity Retail’s search engine.

  1. Singing in the rain…

Carol concerts are a great way to get into the festive spirit; not to mention a cheap night out. From churches to high streets, every town has them and they are usually free to attend. You might not be Christian, you might not even like singing, but there is something magical about a candlelight chorus that’s had to resist.

One venue that runs a schedule of concerts is Glasgow Cathedral and details of these concerts can be found on its website.

  1. Watch me now…

With Christmas films the old ones are the best; so look out the TV guide and get them recorded. It’s a Wonderful Life, The Vicar’s Wife, White Christmas and Meet me in St Louis are just some worth digging out. Don’t have a smart TV? Then download sites, charity shops and libraries are good places to source them. But if you do have a bit of cash to splash why go to the Glasgow Film Theatre, which dedicates some of its December bill to such vintage views.

  1. Read all about it…

Libraries, among other council buildings, host great Christmas events. Not just linear celebrations, but interactive craft and literary workshops. This year Dennistoun Library revamped its interior to look like Narnia’s winter wonderland, a perfect setting for its C.S. Lewis- fest. Admittedly this was aimed at kids, but it shows the free festive events that could be under your nose! For Christmas events in Glasgow, check out Glasgow Life’s website.

 

So take heed, Yule tide celebrations need not cost the earth. Get out there and deck the halls.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

SambaYaBamba

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An interview with Lisa Stewart of SambaYaBamba

If you watched the BBC hype of the 2014 Commonwealth Games then might you might have noticed a Samba band jazzing outside Buchanan Galleries. Who are these guys and what were they doing there? Well here sax player, Lisa Stewart, explains all.

“SambaYaBamba are a community band, formed in 1996.

“Recently we got to play live for BBC breakfast, as part of the Commonwealth Games coverage; it was great fun and we’re excited to be associated with the Games.

“The live TV segments were just snippets; a bit different from our normal performances. We also spent the morning performing for crowds on Buchanan Street to get them excited for the Games.”

Hired by Glasgow 2014 officials, to create a festival atmosphere, SambaYaBamba played the streets and venues of the city, something in which the band was already well versed.

“We’re all proud Glaswegians, so we’ve done more than our share of rainy and windy sets. Our music is so energetic though that it’s always fun – and hopefully we brighten up the days of the people listening.”

Bright is apt description of the band, usually clad in tartan and red icon tops.

“Our t-shirt logo is developed from the Glasgow coat of arms, the fish are meant to represent the fish swimming towards the ring in the Clyde, from the story of the coat of arms. It’s tough explaining this one when we play abroad! We always get a lot of attention at the annual samba festival in Germany for wearing our kilts.”

Every year the band travel to Coburg festival to represent Scotland in the global samba scene.

“Coburg is the highlight of our calendar. This small town in Bavaria, Germany becomes a mardi gras for samba groups from all around the world. We always get a great reception and after going for years, it’s now a massive social event for us where we are reunited with our international friends.”

Trips like Coburg are made possible from the band’s relentless performances.

“We are a non-profit band. Every member has full time jobs – our performance fees keep the band running and enable us to run beginners workshops, and travel to festivals.”

The band has also stared at festivals closer to home, leading the way at Glasgow’s West End Festival 2013.

“We were upfront, leading the parade from the Botanic Gardens and through the streets of the West End – we could not believe the crowds that turned out. Over 80,000 people saw us that day – the atmosphere was electric. It just shows how much Glasgow values community events like this; at our heart we are a community band.”

This is shown in the band’s usual bill of festivals, gala days, club nights, weddings, and corporate events.

Such practice has allowed the band to develop its own style, which veers slightly from the genre norm.

“We are of course, primarily a samba band, but we don’t just stick to Brazilian music or traditional samba. The fact that we have a horn section really sets us apart from other baterias (Brazilian drumming groups) and opens up a whole range of styles that we can play.

“Our set includes reggae, funk and drum n bass – even a bit of rapping and beat-boxing sometimes.

“I’ve been in the band for over three years now. I play saxophone, so I’m not actually part of the bateria. In the horn section we develop our own riffs to go with the grooves that the bateria come up with. We don’t use any written music, just come up with our riffs and memorise them. We improvise a bit too, especially on the funky tunes.”

To sample these tunes, get information on live performances at SambaYaBamba website.

 

Desolation Yes!

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An Interview with Paul Elliott of Desolation Yes!

Think they don’t make music like they used to? Well Glasgow band, Desolation Yes! agree.

Lead singer, Paul Elliott, said: “These days people don’t release albums, they release collections of songs. We wanted to make an album with a central theme and a narrative, which is what we’ve done.”

The album Out of Orbit offers electric- rock- crossover, with Elliott on vocals, Jagged on guitar, Miro on drums, and Shisho on bass.  All tempered with some sequencers, drum machines and synthesizers.

Using this mixed bag, the band tells the story of Tech, a character searching for utopia. Elliott explained the concept was influenced by theatre.

“It sounds a bit arty-farty but it was an interesting thing to try and I think it worked. There’s a song on the album called Army of Flesh, which is basically a play within a song.”

This unusual approach comes from a band with unusual roots. While the founding members Elliott and Jagged grew up together, the latter two Slovakians only met once they had immigrated to Glasgow.  One advert and some sessions later Desolation Yes! was formed.

“The name Desolation Yes! was inspired by a Smashing Pumpkins lyric. Apparently ‘desolation yes’ is also in the bible. That obviously makes us the first band to be mentioned in the bible. Jesus was a fan… still is.”

Jokes aside, Elliott said the band owed its fan base to a breakthrough gig at Classic Grand, where they supported the Howling Bells.

“That was the one that kinda got the ball rolling for us. We wouldn’t be where we are today if it wasn’t for that gig.”

Since then Desolation Yes! have played venues including: the O2 Academy, 13th Note and Strathclyde Union, a far cry away from their modest roots.

Elliott said: “The first Desolation Yes! gig was myself and Jagged performing at Fury Murray’s. Jagged got so drunk he stood on his guitar lead and it popped out.

“He left me to play two songs solo while he figured out what happened. I’m glad to say we’ve come a long way since then. We’ve discovered strap locks for a start…”

Now the band practice at Creation Studios in Maryhill. However, that’s not where they recorded Out of Orbit.

“We had all the equipment we needed to record, so we decided to do it on location. These locations tended to be in flats and houses, but there was something more natural in doing it like that.”

To hear the album, and decide for yourself go to iTunes.

From Green to Granite

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An Interview with Charly Houston

They say romance is dead, but here to prove them wrong is Charly Houston, a musician taking on the Scottish scene with a style she calls ‘romantindie’. No, not a new kind of ethnicity, rather a mix of folk and inde music that sees her don strings and sing about love.

“Each track on my new E.P is also named after an eventful month, for example I have a ukulele track called November, which was the month I fell in love, how romantic.”

But it’s not all mushy stuff, naming her new EP after her niece, Ella-Grace; Houston was inspired by moving up to Aberdeen and missing her Glasgow bound family.

“I grew up in a very musical environment watching my dad play guitar, as well as obsessively watching bands live on YouTube, definitely made an impact.”

Houston, who started playing at the age of seven, dabbles in guitar, ukulele, mandolin, cajon, drums and piano. She even writes her own songs.

“I took to music instantly, but I certainly wasn’t a prodigy at guitar, it took many broken strings and sore fingers before I could perform it to a competent level.”

After years of practice she started performing, under the banner Charly Houston Music, before getting her first break at Kelvingrove City Sounds festival, in 2007.

“I remember shaking so much that I could barely play the chords I wanted on guitar, and I spent the full time staring at my dad for support.”

Many gigs later, the nerves are gone and Houston is promoting her EP nationwide, at venues like Aberdeen’s Café Drummond, and Glasgow’s O’Neill’s bar.

Jumping between cities has become standard for the musician, who recorded her album at Aberdeen College, with help from producer Drew Gibson.   Despite being a weegie at heart, Huston is warming to the Granite City.

“In comparison to Glasgow, Aberdeen has a much smaller music scene with less diversity and only a few well known venues, however, I have played in a number of places up here and I quite enjoy Café Drummonds, almost as much as I enjoy King Tuts Wah Wah Hut!

Having performed King Tuts Wah Wah Hut in 2012, Houston supported established London band, The Diagrams. She remembers it fondly.

“It was super cool; the venue gave me my own fridge- shelf full of beer.

“I got a VIP pass, a good crowd and it was also the best sounding venue I’ve played.”

Looking forward to playing many new venues, Houston is continuing to promote her music across Scotland, as well as via iTunes, Spotify, Amazon and Bandcamp.

Check her out at Soundcloud.