TSA Issue 40 – February 2018

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BLOODLINES FRIGHTENED RABBIT

GIROBABIES INTERVIEW

Young Reporters Scotland Would you like to see your words published here?

Enter our Young Reporters Scotland environmental journalism competition and your article could feature in this magazine!

Young Reporters Scotland is an international competition for young people aged 11-26.

Enter and get your voice heard on an environmental issue that matters to you.

Find out how to enter at www.keepscotlandbeautiful.org/YRS

Keep Scotland Beautiful is a Scottish Charitable Incorporated Organisation (SCIO): Number SC030332. Copyright Š Keep Scotland Beautiful 2018. All rights reserved.

FREE | Issue 40 | February | WeAreTSA.co.uk

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4 Help Musicians Music 6 INTERVIEW: Girobabies 8 Liam’s Corner 9 NHC Pick of the Month

TSA Interviews Claire Gevaux, Scotland Director, Help Musicians

10 Near You

What is Help Musicians and how has it now reached Scotland?

12 The Complete Gig Guide

We were set up to support musicians and those working within and practicing music for their health and welfare benefits, that was the initial reason the charity was set up, since then we’ve grown from strength to strength and we now have a charity looking to the future looking at not just performers but what the whole of the sector needs to survive and often thrive in sometimes difficult climates.

We also look out for career needs, so my job is focused on professional needs whether you’re at that beginning stage of learning your craft all the way through your career, we have a range of funding programmes that will support you for whatever you need. We conduct research organisations at universities and other centres across the UK to see what we need to be looking at in terms of the needs of the musician or someone within the industry and how we can offer them support around those needs for example we did a survey asking the sector about their mental health and the response we got was phenomenal, from that we’ve managed to turn that into a service called Music Minds Matter a mental health support line and service open 24 hours a day seven days a week. We do all of that from a very independent stand point so we aren't funded by the industry or public sector nearly all of our money comes straight from people that voluntarily want to help.

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14 INTERVIEW: Bloodlines 16 Sad and Lonely on Valentine’s Day 18 Ready, steady, cook!

23 LGBT Section 30 Aye Write!

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31 Mackintosh 150 32 Thomas Welsh on his New Book 34 Glasgow Film Festival 2018 36 INTERVIEW: Frightened Rabbit 38 Strathclyde University Photo Club Cover Image: M J Windebank E. info@thestudentadvertiser.co.uk T. 0141 222 2202

Suite 3.3, Station House, 34 St Enoch Square, Glasgow G1 4DF www.wearetsa.co.uk TSA is the most widely distributed publication of its kind in Glasgow and Edinburgh and we work every day to keep it that way. Our in depth local knowledge means we deliver the right number of copies to all the right outlets, and our regular fresh issue keeps readers engaged.

Contributors: Daniel Smith, Selina McLean, Jonny Stone, Liam Menzies, Kieran Fisher, Marie-Louise Patton, Rhiannon Melrose

E. info@thestudentadvertiser.co.uk Facebook: thestudentadvertiser Twitter: @TSA_Newspaper Managing Director Mark Ferguson Editor Kenny Lavelle editor@thestudentadvertiser.co.uk LGBT Editor Jonny Stone j.stone@tsaglasgow.com New Hellfire Club Pick of the Month www.newhellfireclub.co.uk Sales Executive kenny@thestudentadvertiser.co.uk

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Having just launched Rooted in Scotland with a mammoth sell out gig at King Tuts, what made you choose that as your breakthrough in Scotland?

In 2016 we had a new strategy and that was to focus on earning our UK title but we realised we weren't very present across the whole of the UK so we wanted to change that. We opened an office in Northern Ireland back in 2016 to start making sure our presence was really felt in that particular region, that went really well, we learned a lot and it was very bespoke to that area and what they needed. We made a pledge that we’d have that same impact in Scotland. So I had the task earlier on in 2017 of setting up a team in Scotland so I was coming up every week talking

to people to see what difference we really could make, what’s already there, what’s missing and what can be done as a charity to be done to help those in the industry.

What were your initial thoughts on the Scottish music industry?

I think you have your own impressions going into things but the more I came up I was struck by the variety of Scottish music and its breadth, there were somethings I heard that were expected, mostly around geographical challenges and how there can be more of a focus in the central parts rather than the Highlands and Islands and even the southern regions but I guess what I wasn’t expecting was this glorious variety of music and that was lovely to come and get more absorbed with it as a whole. There were a number of challenges but also resilience and a huge amount of support for each other, I was really struck by a lot of people who were very keen to share and collaborate and having worked across England before it can sometimes be tough to get people to collaborate and having a neutral body coming in and trying to collaborate is quite tough but I felt like in Scotland people were up for it and up for trying.

How can people get involved with the charity?

As much as we are a charity for musicians we completely recognise they need their audience, they need their fans, so for everyday supporters our message would be to come and be a volunteer for us, over the course of this year we’ll be doing a recruitment drive so that could be for community funding events, help us with some of our events so there’s plenty of opportunities to get involved with the work that we do. Within our health and welfare programme we have visitors who are volunteers who go out on a befriending service to meet some of the musicians we help with our health and welfare grant and they’re a really important part of our service, having someone they can go to regularly that knows about their case. The more financial support we get, the more volunteers we get the more we can build and grow in Scotland and the more we do the more we can give out in Scotland too.

Interview by Selina McLean

TIC WI KE N TS Win a pair of tickets to Wee Dub Festival, the UK’s only metropolitan reggae festival. Spanning 4 club and gig sessions in venues throughout Edinburgh’s historic Old Town, Wee Dub presents a world class weekend of reggae, dub and soundsystem culture that is part festival, part city-break.

Acts include The Bug, Miss Red, Mungo’s Hifi, Manu Digital, Young Pistols Sound, Charlie P, Young Warrior and Solo Banton.

To enter all you have to do is email, events@thestudentadvertiser.co.uk with the answer to the following question – What age will Wee Dub Festival be this year?

Competition closes on 24th February, 2018. Editor’s decision is final.

INTERVIEW

RETURN OF THE GIROBABIES at STEREO Glasgow photo by M J Windebank

Can you explain to new listeners, who the Girobabies are and a bit of your background?

enjoy their night out but hopefully they leave the show with something new to think about.

We have been round the block a little bit now. I would say there has been 3 phases, 3 stages, 3 bands and 3 albums. We are now excitedly moving into Girobabies 4G and really buzzing to get back in about it all with a fresh outlook. There is a lot of different influences that have inspired us to make various musical experiments over the years.

If you look for a song online and you don’t like it then you might like the next one. Or you may like none of it. That also happens sometimes.

But I would say the sound is mainly a weird, post-punk psychedelia with a poetic, almost Hip Hop focus on lyrics and telling our audience stories that we think they may like to know about. We also want the audience to have a jump about and

Having only played a single show last year, who are the Girobabies and what have you been up to?

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Our first ever gig was just before Xmas so every year we try and put on a big show round about the same time. In December 2016 we took over both floors of The Art School and it was such a perfect end to a brilliant year. We had done things we never expected like being able to play our then new album ‘Who Took Utopia?’ from start to finish to a sold out Glasgow Barrowland crowd, released our first vinyl and supported one of our biggest ever inspirations in Steve Mason (The Beta Band). It was a crazy year and I realised we had been on a rollercoaster for a very long time indeed

and decided the time was right to have a little hiatus for the first time since we began this thing. I had also just finished another album called ‘Need the Character (S)’ with a an electro/ hip hop side-project called Jackal Trades and was keen to take that on the road and try something different while we took a breath.

Originally, my plan was to do some UK tour dates and the summer festival circuit with Jackal Trades whilst booking a European tour to comeback with new Girobabies music but unfortunately during festival season it became apparent that my voice was taking a few days to recover from the weekend shows so I knew something was up. Turned out, I needed a throat operation which obviously curtailed any plans of singing or even spoken word for a couple of months. I was lucky to have a brilliant surgeon who did a fantastic job so I followed her orders and rested up until her comeback

show last month at Stereo. It was a beautiful moment to play to those songs again to a capacity crowd who sung a lot of those words back.

Made me realise that life is short, don’t take anything for granted and make the most of opportunities. I knew all that anyway when I started the band, but this was a bold, underlined reminder of all of that but more importantly do not wait around for stuff to happen. That’s not how things operate. I never used to wait and I will try not to ever wait again.

What are your reasons for playing such few live shows?

I think I answered that above. We normally play a lot of shows up and down the country. But for 12 months we took a year out. 6 months was intentional, the other 6 was forced upon us.

Photos by M J Windebank

W Where does your preference lie as musicians, in the live or production aspect?

My favourite moment is probably an idea coming together in the studio like a lightning bolt of magic out of nowhere. It could come from anyone in the band but when it happens it feels amazing and you can feel the mood suddenly elevate.

The live equivalent would be when a show is going well, the crowd are enjoying it and you look around and you can see the band are enjoying it too. Those are special moments.

Both those examples are pretty rare moments to happen in the grand scheme of things unfortunately.

There is so much legwork and boring stuff that needs to go on before those things are allowed to happen. Most independent artists are spending their days emailing, lifting amps, sorting merch, working day jobs, holding down relationships, dealing with real life and arguing with band members.

It takes a lot of graft to allow the great moments to happen. But in my opinion, they are worth the effort.

It is totally frustrating at times but I love creating music and I love taking it on the road and I can’t ever see me stopping either.

You just announced a Manchester date, does this mean there’s more further afield happening for listeners to look forward to?

Very much so, this is the first of many announcements that will hopefully include a bunch of European dates before the end of the year. We have been sitting on a few of these offers for a while now, it’s just about getting a string of dates together that makes sense and committing to it. We are also weighing up shows in Ireland, England and Wales as well as a bunch of Scottish dates. Then when you add festival season into the mix, there is only so many weekends in the year but we are determined to play new cities and towns and countries as well as visiting some of our favourite haunts. As for April, we love the Manchester crowd and I think this will be our 4th trip down there but it’s been a while since we made the journey, maybe 2015?

There is a lot of very supportive

people down there. Paul Heaton (The Housemartins / Beautiful South) gave us our first BBC radio play and a gig in his pub in Salford and since then we’ve met a host of characters including The Moods who invited us down in April. They are an incredible 10 piece live machine who the Scottish crowds are starting to really know well. Can’t wait to see them play their home crowd. We are also bringing a wee Scottish invasion for the ride in The Twistettes and Yoko Pwno so should be a memorable evening and I would expect maybe a couple of other shows in Northern England might be confirmed next week for that same weekend. We are also very close to confirming some Perth and Inverness shows the weekend before that and I would expect another Glasgow one in May to warm up for the festivals.

For first time viewers what can be expected from this show and your live set generally?

Waves and waves of weird melodic noise, catchy hooks and a sometimes shouty man. In the literal sense it will be Guitar, Bass, Drums, Synths and at least a couple of vocals. It has been great since Jo D’arc (lead singer of The Twistettes) and Jess Aslan (Synth) joined us as they really give us a whole new pocket of possibilities to where we can take the live show. We try to stay as true to the records as possible but we also want to keep things interesting and take the crowd, and ourselves, on new adventures.

Also made the first festival announcement in nearly two years, what can be expected from the Girobabies over the summer and for the rest of 2018?

Festival season is our favourtie time of year and this week we confirmed Audio Soup Festival in the Scottish Borders and Lindisfarne Festival in England. And before that The Bread Shed in Manchester, after a couple of Scottish warm up shows in April. There should be a few more summer dates in the UK and then hopefully further afield in October. The plan is to break ourselves back in gently before a flurry of live shows as the year goes on. This means we have time to

hit the studio and work on finally getting some new material out there. We pretty much have an EP ready to go but we have enough songs to just go and do an album.

It would be quite bold to record and release it without road-testing the material first. For us anyway.

We usually take the songs for a walk outside before we commit it to record because doing it live is a great way to get a feel for the songs, gage responses and make changes when needed. There will be new songs and videos coming to co-incide with these shows for sure either way.

You’re engaged with online formats including acoustic sessions and podcasts something you want to do more of and how important do you find engaging with listeners in this way?

I personally really enjoy listening to podcasts so I’m always happy to appear on shows that I like such as Darren Connell and Mood Swings most recently. I think more traditional radio stations such as Sunny Govan, Camglen and Salford City also do really crucial work in engaging the wider community an underground music scene they may not have been aware of otherwise.

I am currently working on a live show/ podcast idea that I hope will come to fruition in March so I hope people enjoy what we have planned. I have flirted with various internet radio shows of my own over the years but I really think the mainstream is relinquishing it’s grip on culture as a whole and hopefully this could open up new doors to independent journalism, insightful conversations and meaningful music.

Or it will be branded ‘Fake News’ and be hidden within a robotic maze of algorithms and we will all just discuss ‘Coronation Street’ and ‘Im A Celebrity..’ whilst listening to Robin Thicke on Facebook. But I, for one remain hopeful. Acoustic sessions are pretty rare for us but it is nice to do on occasions as you get to re-imagine the songs and see what ones are good enough to shine when stripped away of any bells, whistles and FX pedals.

Scottish music is truly thriving, who are your recommendations for 2018?

I completely agree. So much stuff going on. I would expect big things this year for: Yoko Pwno, Darryl Donald, Spring Break, The Void, Declan Welsh & The Decadent West, Loki, Mickey 9s, Zesh, The Twistettes, Busker Rhymes, Josephine Sillars, Steel Valley Saints, Ash & Sev Dudzinska, Bombskare, Oddacity, Killer Whale, Chrissy Barnacle, Space Dolpin, Andy Martin, Lucky Lowe, Ciaran Mac. The list goes on. I have stopped myself at about 20 ha but really there is probably about 100 - 200 of really diverse talent that could do amazing things with some hard work and a little bit of luck. Some of the folk mentioned are well on their way and already doing brilliantly.

Everyone could help everyone else by going to more shows or even simply sharing each others videos, gig announcements slightly more often. We need to support each other so we can make a big enough splash that people outside of Scotland can hear it. We have the tools at our disposal to bless the rest of the world with our Personally, what are your goals for 2018?

I heard someone say the other day ‘If you want to make God laugh then simply say your plans out loud ‘ or words to that affect. But why not give the big man (or woman) a wee chuckle. This year I hope to record and release new music, Play a few shows outside of Scotland and continue to help other acts get out themselves out there. I’ve also been threatening to release a book of poetry and do a proper spoken word show, both are nearly there.

I’de also like to dare myself to do a gig in a comedy club. Most of all I want to Have fun, work hard and be grateful.

Girobabies are playing a special extended unplugged set on Friday 23rd March at a new venue called Pie & Brew on Bath Street, Glasgow 9pm–11pm, Free Entry.

Interview by Selina McLean

February 18 | WeAreTSA.co.uk

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by Liam Menzies @blinkclyro

www.blinkclyro.com

LIAM’S CORNER www.blinkclyro.com

A n t i c i p a t e d A l b u m s 2 018

While an end of the year list is often easy to start off, just reflect about the past few months and mention how good it’s been for your respective art, the same can’t be said about a Most Anticipated list: release dates change and you don’t know for sure what the quality of each selection will be.

For me, that’s where the excitement comes in: I don’t know a thing about sports, haven’t followed football since the days where Liverpool’s defence was competent, so this kind of list is the closest I can get to betting without gaining (or losing) any money. So let’s stop sidetracking and jump right into the records I’m most excited to hear in 2018.

B - SIDE: Favourite Songs of January Peach Club – Venus

Opening up their latest EP Cherry Baby, this Norwich GRRRL band don’t wanna keep their first impression subtle or timid as they blow into a wellpaced, menacing anthem on liberation and sexuality. Having impressed with last year’s Bad Bitch, another track that wasn’t afraid to spit back with venom, Peach Club have established themselves with this latest cut and EP that is chock-full of bravado, fierceness and outright badassery.

Young Fathers – In My View

When you think of the best act to come out of Scotland this century, most of you are likely to hit out with Biffy Clyro (I ain’t mad) or Twilight Sad (nice choice). However, I’d say the hip hop outfit Young Fathers take that accolade and latest cut off their upcoming third LP Cocoa Sugar exemplifies this.

Severely stripped back and almost lo-fi esque, the vocal performances on display and their variety are enough to send chills down your spine – get this down you.

David Byrne – Ever ybody’s Coming To My House

Codist – LP2 Sleep? Who needs it?! The Codist boys certainly don’t seem to need any as they’re set to drop the follow up to their 2016 debut Nuclear Family (which was pretty freaking good). Having dropped an EP last year on the newly founded LP Records label, we’re psyched to see what this Glasgow rock outfit have tucked away for us.

Kanye West – Turbo Grafx 16 When you have the late, great Lou Reed praising you then you must be doing something right and the ever egotistical Kanye West looks set to continue his golden run with his new gaming inspired record Turbo Grafx 16.

With the record set to feature sampling from the likes of No More Heroes and Super Mario Galaxy in addition to hosting appearances from the likes of Kendrick Lamar, Chance The Rapper and Young Thug, Kanye may be set to deliver the oddest record of 2018.

Vampire Weekend – LP4 While the band members themselves certainly haven’t been slacking, whether that be contributing to anime or making their own solo album, it’s been a long ass time since Vampire Weekend last blessed us with some new music – half a decade to be exact.

With the likes of Kanye West being cited as an inspiration for the yet untitled fourth LP, it’s hard not to be intrigued by what the New York lads have in store for us.

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Screaming Females – All At Once A band I wasn’t aware of up until a recent Spotify recommendation, Screaming Females packs in one of the best rock/punk vocalists in the form of Marissa Paternoster who is just on the mic as she is on the guitar. First cut off All At Once, titled Glass House, is anthemic and builds up to a climax that blurs the line between shaky and untenable: if that’s anything to go by then this LP will prove to be one of 2018’s best rock albums.

Danny Brown – LP5 If the fact that this Detroit rapper’s last album Atrocity Exhibition was my favourite record of 2016 isn’t enough to get you pumped up then what’s wrong with you? Danny Brown crafted one of the most exciting and wholly original hip-hop albums of the century alongside Paul White and with this new album set to be “produced by one producer, who’s legendary in hip-hop“, we can’t wait to see what path Danny leads us on.

Continue reading...

Be sure to check out Liam’s exclusive Edinburgh and Glasgow Gig Guide on pages 12 and 13.

Liam Menzies is a college graduate, somehow balancing uni work and a love for music: legend says that he’s yet to be seen in the wild without a cap on.

Co-written with long-time collaborator Brian Eno as well as features from the likes of Sampha, the first cut off Talking Heads frontman David Byrne‘s upcoming solo LP is enough to have you drooling at the mouth: with a seductive saxophone acting as the foundations for his vocals to bounce and pounce around, Everybody’s Coming to My House is a tasty sample of what’s to come.

Jay Rock, Kendrick Lamar, Future, James Blake – King’s Dead

Featuring on the upcoming Black Panther soundtrack, King’s Dead is suitably epic without being bombastic. With Mike Will Made It and Teddy Walton on production duties, resulting in a beat that just won’t quit, this track is undoubtedly the best we’ve seen yet from this OST, packing in an insane amount of energy with incredible flow and playful lyricism on Jay Rock and Future’s part respectively. It’ll be exciting to see how a track like this fits into a family friendly Marvel flick, though.

Record Of The Month: POST – by Jeff Rosenstock

Released with very little fanfare on New Year’s Day, this album became a joke amongst the smaller music community by being referred to as “the album of the year” 2 days into 2018. While this got a few laughs from me, I honestly wouldn’t be surprised to see this record ranking highly on various lists at the end of the year.

After the success of WORRY, dropped before Trump came to power, Rosenstock expresses his knack for being anxious to discuss politics in a way that feels genuine, creative and wholy his own. Regardless of your position on the political spectrum, there’s plenty to enjoy here with Rosenstock and co. offering an eclectic mix of their well established sound without ever letting things get mundane.

Of course, we’ve got a long way to go until we can talk about the year in music but at the moment, I’m more than excited to see what 2018 has to offer after how satisfying POST – was.

February Pick OF THE MONTH

It’s no great secret that Scotland’s music scene is a thing to be proud of. So we here at TSA have teamed up with Scotland’s very own New Hellfire Club to bring you a monthly pick of who we think are doing epically well right now. Keep your eyes out for these up and coming bands. This is TSA and New Hellfire Club’s ‘Pick of the Month’.

So, start us off by briefly telling us a bit about yourself and the band, how long have you guys been going for a start, and how did you meet up?

Kenny: Must have been around 1999/2000 that we met (in Sound Control). You’d had the band going for a bit before that, though.

Andy: Yeah, for a year or two before but never really stabilised till you joined. Wow that’s coming on 20 years ago bro, where’d the time go hahahaha John: I heard about Andy after a great storm hit his home island. I was heart-broken for him, and got in contact to see if he needed a drummer to help ease the pain, we’ve been playing ever since. I think it was about 4-5 years ago, now.

Tell us about the name choice, big decision, or snap decision?

Kenny: Over to you on that one!

Andy: My wife Pauline came up with it. I think it was the Summer of 1997. I had just started the band. Where or how she came up with it I can’t remember at this moment in time but I thank God she did.

NHC MUSIC feels that there has been a bit of a musical resurgance over the past couple of years in Scotland, with some fantastic rock and punk acts in Glasgow leading the way. Do you guys feel that this is the case too, with more quality on the homegrown live circuit such as yourselves, or do you just think it’s more to do with the sheer amount of bands plying their trade in Scotland at the moment?

Kenny: I think there’s always been plenty of talented bands plying their trade - the problem has always been convincing people to come along to see them! I think there’s a few things which have changed - first is that live music is more popular, at all levels. For the big artists, that’s where the money is, where previously it had been album sales. That’s trickled down and normalised gig-going for a lot of people, it’s less of a hard sell to get them along to smaller gigs than it has been in the past. The other thing is that social media makes it easier for bands, promoters and venues to plug events, and it seems there’s more DIY-type gigs happening, rather than the tired

old pay-to-play model (which doens’t really benefit anyone).

Andy: I totally agree, at the start of our career it was extremely hard to do the DIY thing and be taken serious. But with programs like Protools and Reaper, recording songs and making albums became a far easier thing to do and with companies like CDBABY, Distrokid and Music Glue or Bandcamp, doing it yourself has really opened up the possibilities for bands like us to start our own label and make the music we want to make and it also forced us to learn how to record, how to mix, how to market and promote ourselves, how to network with other bands doing the same as us. This is a fantastic thing. The results are great Scottish bands are creating great Scottish music that people want to hear live.

You guys have been on some terrific bills already in your career, what’s the best gig you have played, and why does that one in particular stand out?

Kenny: My favourite gig in recent years was playing The Bungalow in Paisley - partly because it’s a great venue, and partly because it’s ten minutes walk from my flat. Laziness wins out. As a big Hüsker Dü fan, it was an honour to open for Grant Hart a few years ago. So sad that he’s gone.

Andy: Yeah, the Grant Hart show was definitely a special one for me too. Hüsker Dü is a huge influence on us and when Grant asked me to join him on stage to play several of his songs, it was an experience that I’ll never forget.

Kenny: Further back in time, I think my favourite times were the gigs when I began to recognise that the feeling in my stomach before we went on wasn’t nerves or stage fright, it was excitement. That made all the difference, and became a self-fulfilling prophecy in terms of my confidence playing gigs.

Andy: For me those early gigs were a lot of fun and terrifying at the same time. I was never a front man in any of the bands that I had been in before. I was always the guitarist, those early gigs taught me how to be a singer and taught me how to adapt my guitar playing so that I could do both at the same time. But that was part of the excitement about those gigs, we were a band learning how to be a band.

John: This might seem a little trivial compared to some of the gigs that the band has played, but Andy and I played at a local festival on Millport... we played some of our songs, and song covers that were requested by the happy audience. We had a laugh, improvised and experimented as we went along, with just the occasional eyebrow raise, wink and nod to let each other know what we were gonna do next! It was expressive and natural. I played great, Andy was tearing it up and we both had a great time. If ever you were to come and see us rehearsing/recording in Andy’s house/ recording studio, then you’ll feel like you were at a very intimate gig. Thats what i love about our band: We express, invent, and go with the flow everytime we play. It is liberating.

What other bands, specifically at a more local level, would you recommend we check out? You got a favourite yourselves?

Kenny: Heavy stuff I’m into just now includes Blood Thread, Bacchus Baracus, Skeleton Gong, Headless Kross. James from the Cosmic Dead’s got (another) new band called Acid Cannibals, and they’re a blast. Other local artists that I’ll make the effort to go see includes Kaspar Hauser, Hausfrau, Howie Reeve, Jer Reid and so on. I really miss Vakunøht - they played fun heavy rock songs about space travel and were fantastic live.

John: there is a girl whom i know to be extremely talented ( although I’m not sure if she’s still gigging just now due to a new baby on the scene) her name is Marina Rolink from Airdrie. she’s an angel and could be massive!

Andy: Matthew Hickman of Brownbear is doing some great stuff. I like the new Worse Than Moe release, there’s a cool band from Edinburgh called Geek Maggot Bingo that I really like, Joe Bone and The Dark Vibes have this great song called Healer Man and I’d love to hear and see Keith Thornburn bring back Stump Monkey again.

it’s heavy enough to headbang to, and it’s got a shouty chorus.

John: I fell in love with Andy’s music straight away. his talent and enthusiasm is electric!

I swooned at his slower songs, and sweated buckets ripping into the rockier ones. I think my favourite song is Russian Roulette: its an older song, before i joined the band, but it’s timeless and energetic!

Andy: That’s a hard one for me to answer as I wrote them all, but if push came to shove……

Paranoid. I seen people dancing to it, i’ve seen people headbang to it, i’ve seen people singing along to it and it’s just a fun song to play live.

So what’s new for you guys in 2018 then, any other big plans in then pipeline you can share with the readers?

Kenny: We’ve got some gigs planned, and we’ve working on a load of new songs. I’m really looking forward to hearing how they’ll end up. The way we’ve been recording them has been really good fun - either setting up in Andy’s secret island base, or by me recording my bass parts in the comfort of my own home and beaming them over the internet.

I’ve even managed to write one of my own, although I’m not sure the world’s ready for my metaphysical country & western ballad about the dangers of drinking in cemeteries and a mysterious city of gold...

Andy: Yeah, like Kenny said, we have some shows coming up with great opening acts, we are releasing our new E.P in May which Jason Loewenstein of Sebadoh is currently mixing and mastering, I know we plan to record more and release another album hopefully by the end of the year. We are also remixing/ remastering our Achukma album and there’s a few other things in the pipeline which will be exciting.

If you could only share one song from the Overhaul catalogue to get people loving the band, what song would you go for, and why that choice?

Kenny: I really like Homeward Bound.

Although we’re not a full-time Pirate Metal band, I think we acquitted ourselves quite well sailing in those waters. It’s good for jigging to,

February 18 | WeAreTSA.co.uk

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Near you Here are ten gigs coming to a venue, well, near you very soon.

Marmozets

Spring King

The Liquid Room

Sneaky Pete’s

Feb 12th, Edinburgh Equipped with their first release in four years, the Yorkshire five-piece have made a triumphant return with second album Knowing What You Know Now and to celebrate are hitting the road to debut those brand new, genre-discarding anthems. Despite injury back in 2014 forcing the band’s lead Becca Macintyre to be out of action just at the peak of their success, second time round the band have returned with a lot of promise and a tinge of garage toned anarchy.

Feb 14th, Edinburgh

Jamie Lawson

Saint Lukes March 8th, Glasgow Ivor Novello winner Jamie Lawson will make a whistle stop in Glasgow as part of his UK tour this month having just released his new album Happy Accidents on Gingerbread Man Records. Following a whirlwind 18 months for the Plymouth born musician, not least being the first to sign to a label created by Ed Sheeran none the less, here’s hoping that having largely created the album in LA, some of that calypso drenched spirit is brought to this winter trodden Scottish stage.

Playing a host of intimate UK shows on a mammoth nineteen show tour, the Manchester four-piece return to some of their favourite venues, Sneaky Pete’s being one of them, to play a set that will no doubt ever be replicated especially with the release of a second album on the near horizon, which will no doubt be as anthemic as ever before. In a small space of time the band had already achieved major support slots under their belts with the likes of the Kaiser Chiefs and Spector, having played festival after festival among an array of press support and it’s not surprising why, raucous and biting from start to end.

Khalid 02 Academy Feb 18th, Glasgow

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Catch the youth tinged soul stylings of Georgia born musician Khalid on his only Scottish date of this tour, amid countless radio plays and industry hype over recent times why not experience live, tracks from his debut album American Teen, featuring the likes of: Young, Dumb and broke as well as Location among so much more.

Epitomising the freedom of teenage nostalgia and heartbreak this live set has it all!

Pale Waves King Tut’s March 4th, Glasgow Having only embarked on their first headline tour last November, Pale Waves have been selling out left and right making a name for themselves despite walking in the almost legendary footsteps of Dirty Hit label mates Wolf Alice and The 1975 (amongst others) already in 2018 being accredited with the likes of the BBC, being tipped for domination over the next twelve months and beyond. Catch them play a small venue on this run of dates as their continuing success may catapult the gothic Manchester four-piece into far bigger waters on their next jaunt to the city!

Kendrick Lamar SSE Hydro Feb 11th, Glasgow The Grammy award winning Californian brings a vital political narrative to one of the city’s largest venues this month, following the worldwide success of latest album DAMN released last April to much admiration, tracks from this and his ever extensive back catalogue will be aired in the city for the first time in five years. With support for this tour coming from UK native James Blake a complex yet wildly eclectic evening of live music awaits!

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Wiley

The Liquid Room Feb 28th, Edinburgh

The Sound of Music Edinburgh Playhouse Feb 20th-24th This beloved Rogers and Hammerstein classic makes its return to the stage this February, to carry on a legacy that ceases to age despite its portrayal of a formative time in history that seems so long ago now. The story depicts the memoirs of Maria von Trapp a young governess bringing love and music to a family struck by grief, culminating in their eventual escape to freedom at the start of the second world war. The Voice 2015 runner up Lucy O’Byrne brings the iconic role of Maria back to life alongside Eastenders heartthrob Neil McDermott playing Captain Von Trapp to bring such classics as Edelweiss and Do-Re-Mi to the stage once again.

Ahead of the release of his next album Godfather II, Wiley makes his return to Scotland as part of a UK wide tour. Equipped with a career spanning over two decades under his belt, this rap artist is a veteran in his field, having contributed to and seen first hand the emergence of the UK grime scene from its bare bones Wiley continues to portray this in his live set even now. Having collaborated over the years with countless talented artists including Skepta and Dizzee, this live set really could see no bounds.

Pretty Vicious Sneaky Pete’s March 8th, Edinburgh These charismatic Welsh rockers return to Scotland next month having spent some time in the studio so it’s about time they show off their efforts! Their guitar-led stylings are paced with a fast energy drum and bass combo to really make for an intensely high octane set, supported by the likes of the NME over the course of their careers 2018 is set to be their biggest yet, so it’s best to get onto these guys whilst their hot, and in no-where better that Sneaky Pete’s!

The Xcerts O2 ABC Feb 23rd, Glasgow Fresh on tour with the release of fourth album Hold on to Your Heart having already dominated every publication going with rave reviews, these 80s dreamscape masters return home with their largest headline to date and it’s sure to be a sight to behold. New tracks are a celebration of life and love despite the tribulations of loss and is done so with a barrage of heart-wrenching chorus lines and saxophone solo’s. Visiting songs old and new this live set will treat listeners from any stage of their sixteen year journey.

Our complete gig guide >> February 18 | WeAreTSA.co.uk

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Gig Guide: Music

in Edinburgh & Glasgow Eros Dance, trance, old school and more await you!

Liquid Rooms: 22:30 £10 Messenger: Bob Marley Messenger Sound System, the original roots advertiser, consistently programmes the heights of conscious reggae music, dub-wise and otherwise!

Bongo Club: 23:00 £7

SUN, 18 FEB

The Sunday Sinners Dance to dynamic Funk/Soul grooves from in-the-pocket 5-piece band with outstanding vocals.

The Jazz Bar: 12:00 £4.00

MON, 19 FEB

Glamour And The Baybes 6-Piece funk with ripping horns and massive vocals that grab you by the soul and drop you on the dance floor!

The Jazz Bar: 23:30 £4.00

TUE, 20 FEB

Edinburgh THU, 01 FEB

Henry Ibbs Expect a mixture of tunes: traditional, original and cover versions (with more than a dash of Scouse!) from well-known singer/ songwriter Henry Ibbs.

The Jazz Bar: 18:00 FREE

FRI, 02 FEB

MPG Acoustic Showcase Three of Edinburgh’s finest singer/ songwriters, Mike MacFarlane, Paul Montague and Graeme Mearns present fabulous (and occasionally anarchic!) musical entertainment, each week featuring specially invited guests.

The Jazz Bar: 18:00 FREE Strata Featuring six of Scotland’s finest young jazz musicians, Graham Costello’s STRATA bring the groove of 20th-century minimalism together with the noisier influence of the European indie scene to form a sound ranging from delicate and meditative to more unhinged and highly intense.

The Jazz Bar: 21:00 £6 Propaganda An unrivalled audio visual mix of the best current and classic indie alternative music with special guests and Propaganda resident DJs. Liquid Rooms: 22:30 £5.00

SAT, 03 FEB

Quintet Every Saturday, a different hand-picked selection of five excellent jazz players meets on stage for the first time (hence the name) – and plays with no rehearsal, and not even a set list!

It’s always a ‘surprise’ line-up – even for the players.

The Jazz Bar: 21:00 £6.00 Rewind To the 70’s, 80’s and 90’s we go!

Liquid Rooms: 22:30 £9.00

SUN, 04 FEB

The Sunday Sinners Dance to dynamic Funk/Soul grooves from in-the-pocket 5-piece band with outstanding vocals.

The Jazz Bar: 12:00 £4.00

MON, 05 FEB

Glamour And The Baybes 6-Piece funk with ripping horns and massive vocals that grab you by the soul and drop you on the dance floor!

The Jazz Bar: 23:30 £4.00

TUE, 06 FEB

After Work Blues Acoustic/Electric Blues by singer/guitarist John Hunt – and check out his amazing hand-built guitars! ‘Gritty, Funky Boogie-Woogie from a master of blues slide-guitar’ – Evening News The Jazz Bar: 18:00 FREE

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gig guide

Midnight Bass DnB, Jungle, Bassline, Grime & Garage with DJs from Junglism, Big n Bashy, Electrikal, Roots, Witness, 59th Degree + more!

Bongo Club: 23:00 £3.00

WED, 07 FEB

Graeme Mearns A Hat, a Suit, and a Guitar. With a swing/jazz/acoustic style somewhere between Django Reinhardt and Richard Thompson, you’ll hear familiar songs in a way you’ve never imagined The Jazz Bar: 19:00 FREE

THU, 08 FEB

Henry Ibbs Expect a mixture of tunes: traditional, original and cover versions (with more than a dash of Scouse!) from well-known singer/ songwriter Henry Ibbs.

The Jazz Bar: 18:00 FREE

FRI, 09 FEB

MPG Acoustic Showcase Three of Edinburgh’s finest singer/ songwriters, Mike MacFarlane, Paul Montague and Graeme Mearns present fabulous (and occasionally anarchic!) musical entertainment, each week featuring specially invited guests.

The Jazz Bar: 18:00 FREE Headset Skillis (Big n Bashy) and friends playing garage, techno, house and bass downstairs, with old school hip hop upstairs.

Bongo Club: 23:00 TBC Propaganda An unrivalled audio visual mix of the best current and classic indie alternative music with special guests and Propaganda resident DJs. Liquid Rooms: 22:30 £5.00 Michael Rother Regular Music Presents Michael Rother plays NEU! & Harmonia & Solo Works plus support Liquid Rooms: 22:30 £22.50

SAT, 10 FEB

Quintet Every Saturday, a different hand-picked selection of five excellent jazz players meets on stage for the first time (hence the name) – and plays with no rehearsal, and not even a set list!

It’s always a ‘surprise’ line-up – even for the players.

The Jazz Bar: 21:00 £6.00 Soulsville Est. 2010, this is Edinburgh’s institutional shot of Deep Rhythms and Rugged Grooves.

Bongo Club: 23:00 £5 Musika Musika turns 11 with ALAN FITZPATRICK + SLAM Liquid Rooms: 22:30 £22

SUN, 11 FEB

The Sunday Sinners Dance to dynamic Funk/Soul grooves from in-the-pocket 5-piece band with outstanding vocals.

The Jazz Bar: 12:00 £4.00

MON, 12 FEB

Marmozets English rock outfit get ready to rock Edinburgh with tunes of their latest LP. Liquid Rooms: 19:00 £14 Glamour And The Baybes 6-Piece funk with ripping horns and massive vocals that grab you by the soul and drop you on the dance floor!

The Jazz Bar: 23:30 £4.00

TUE, 13 FEB

After Work Blues Acoustic/Electric Blues by singer/guitarist John Hunt – and check out his amazing hand-built guitars! ‘Gritty, Funky Boogie-Woogie from a master of blues slide-guitar’ – Evening News The Jazz Bar: 18:00 FREE The Sherlocks Indie rock outfit make their way to Edinburgh.

Liquid Rooms: 19:00 19:00 Midnight Bass DnB, Jungle, Bassline, Grime & Garage with DJs from Junglism, Big n Bashy, Electrikal, Roots, Witness, 59th Degree + more!

Bongo Club: 23:00 £3.00

WED, 14 FEB

Graeme Mearns A Hat, a Suit, and a Guitar. With a swing/jazz/acoustic style somewhere between Django Reinhardt and Richard Thompson, you’ll hear familiar songs in a way you’ve never imagined The Jazz Bar: 19:00 FREE

THU, 15 FEB

Henry Ibbs Expect a mixture of tunes: traditional, original and cover versions (with more than a dash of Scouse!) from well-known singer/ songwriter Henry Ibbs.

The Jazz Bar: 18:00 FREE

FRI, 16 FEB

MPG Acoustic Showcase Three of Edinburgh’s finest singer/ songwriters, Mike MacFarlane, Paul Montague and Graeme Mearns present fabulous (and occasionally anarchic!) musical entertainment, each week featuring specially invited guests.

The Jazz Bar: 18:00 FREE Poetry Circus For everyone who’s ever been in love, fallen out of love or had their heart broken on St Valentine’s day, Poetry Circus are back with Broken Hearts, a sumptuous evening of stunning spoken word cabaret Bongo Club: 19:00 £5 Propaganda An unrivalled audio visual mix of the best current and classic indie alternative music with special guests and Propaganda resident DJs. Liquid Rooms: 22:30 £5.00

SAT, 17 FEB

Quintet Every Saturday, a different hand-picked selection of five excellent jazz players meets on stage for the first time (hence the name) – and plays with no rehearsal, and not even a set list!

It’s always a ‘surprise’ line-up – even for the players.

The Jazz Bar: 21:00 £6.00

After Work Blues Acoustic/Electric Blues by singer/guitarist John Hunt – and check out his amazing hand-built guitars! ‘Gritty, Funky Boogie-Woogie from a master of blues slide-guitar’ – Evening News The Jazz Bar: 18:00 FREE Midnight Bass DnB, Jungle, Bassline, Grime & Garage with DJs from Junglism, Big n Bashy, Electrikal, Roots, Witness, 59th Degree + more!

Bongo Club: 23:00 £3.00

WED, 21 FEB

Graeme Mearns A Hat, a Suit, and a Guitar. With a swing/jazz/acoustic style somewhere between Django Reinhardt and Richard Thompson, you’ll hear familiar songs in a way you’ve never imagined The Jazz Bar: 19:00 FREE

THU, 22 FEB

Henry Ibbs Expect a mixture of tunes: traditional, original and cover versions (with more than a dash of Scouse!) from well-known singer/ songwriter Henry Ibbs.

The Jazz Bar: 18:00 FREE Electric Six Electric Six Liquid Rooms: 19:00 £20

FRI, 23 FEB

MPG Acoustic Showcase Three of Edinburgh’s finest singer/ songwriters, Mike MacFarlane, Paul Montague and Graeme Mearns present fabulous (and occasionally anarchic!) musical entertainment, each week featuring specially invited guests.

The Jazz Bar: 18:00 FREE Retro Video Club An indepdent extravaganza, the Retro boys bring support in the form of The Dunts and Bright Skies.

Liquid Rooms: 19:00 £7

Electrikal SHY FX is the one of the original Ragga-Ruffneck pioneers from the 90s who bulldozed into the public eye with his stone cold classic Jungle anthem ‘Original Nuttah’.

Bongo Club: 23:00 £15 Propaganda An unrivalled audio visual mix of the best current and classic indie alternative music with special guests and Propaganda resident DJs. Liquid Rooms: 22:30 £5.00

SAT, 24 FEB

Cindy Wilson The legendary frontwoman from the B-52s gets ready to rock Edinburgh.

Liquid Rooms: 19:00 £20 Quintet Every Saturday, a different hand-picked selection of five excellent jazz players meets on stage for the first time (hence the name) – and plays with no rehearsal, and not even a set list!

It’s always a ‘surprise’ line-up – even for the players.

The Jazz Bar: 21:00 £6.00 Mumbo Jumbo Mumbo Jumbo is a night with a mix of musical styles from funk and hip hop to house and electro care of resident DJs Trendy Wendy (The Street) and Steve Austin (Headspin).

Bongo Club: 23:00 £3

SUN, 25 FEB

The Sunday Sinners Dance to dynamic Funk/Soul grooves from in-the-pocket 5-piece band with outstanding vocals.

The Jazz Bar: 12:00 £4.00

MON, 26 FEB

Glamour And The Baybes 6-Piece funk with ripping horns and massive vocals that grab you by the soul and drop you on the dance floor!

The Jazz Bar: 23:30 £4.00

TUE, 27 FEB

After Work Blues Acoustic/Electric Blues by singer/guitarist John Hunt – and check out his amazing hand-built guitars! ‘Gritty, Funky Boogie-Woogie from a master of blues slide-guitar’ – Evening News The Jazz Bar: 18:00 FREE Midnight Bass DnB, Jungle, Bassline, Grime & Garage with DJs from Junglism, Big n Bashy, Electrikal, Roots, Witness, 59th Degree + more!

Bongo Club: 23:00 £3.00

WED, 28 FEB

Graeme Mearns A Hat, a Suit, and a Guitar. With a swing/jazz/acoustic style somewhere between Django Reinhardt and Richard Thompson, you’ll hear familiar songs in a way you’ve never imagined The Jazz Bar: 19:00 FREE Wiley The grime don makes his way to the Scottish capital.

Liquid Rooms: 19:00 £18

Glasgow THU, 01 FEB

Hayseed Dixie Don’t miss the Tennessee titans and pioneers of rockgrass as they bring their fifteen-album-strong catalogue of banjo-fuelled songs to the UK. O2 ABC: 19:00 £20 Declan Welsh Glasgow Singer Songwriter and Poet Declan Welsh invites some of the scene’s most exciting talents onto the stage with him for an eclectic night of music and poetry.

Hug & Pint: 19:30 £10 Glasgow Poetry Mafia See the working class and the middle class battle it out through the medium of spoken word to decide, once and for all, which class is the best. Or something.

Nice N Sleazy: 19:30 £5 Idlewild + Support Acoustic performance from Idlewild for Help Musicians Scotland launch event King Tuts: 20:30 TBC

Propaganda An unrivalled audio visual mix of the best current and classic indie alternative music with special guests and Propaganda resident DJs. O2 ABC: 22:30 £5.00

Ghost Girls IT’S ALMOST VALENTINES DAY SO COME BE HEARTBROKEN AND DANCE WITH YOUR BFF’S Bloc: 23:00 FREE Harsh Tug Harsh Tug OG Kush + Gin n Juice + Hip Hop Bangers Nice N Sleazy: 23:30 £3

SAT, 03 FEB

Jay Bartell Jaye Bartell’s songs are poetic yet candid and unafraid, formal but also spontaneous. His lyrics leap and land like dancers and are alive. It may not be apparent at first, but Bartell’s songs are exultations that revel in the often unsteady but always moving life, filled with subtle humor and sincere love.

Hug & Pint: 19:30 £10

Cryptic Culture + Support A guitar focused band bringing guitar back into the limelight Nice N Sleazy: 19:30 £5 The Rainband Featuring support from Sonic Dispace and Skilled Embryo.

King Tuts: 20:30 £9.90 LOVE MUSIC With great music, the stunning lighting display & the powerhouse of a soundsystem it has been the benchmark for the best in clubbing experiences in Scotland.

O2 ABC: 23:00 £4.00

Subculture Subculture is one of the world’s longest-running underground house night and the longest weekly house music residency on the planet. With Harri and Domenic in control week in week out, it’s easy to see why it has endured for the best part of two decades as they continue to serve up the most upfront and relevant selections of all that’s good in house and techno, keeping the vibe that the reputation of the club is built on.

Sub Club: 23:00 TBA

SUN, 04 FEB

Matthew Logan Vasquez Best known as the charismatic frontman of Californian rock band Delta Spirit, Matthew Logan Vasquez is now stepping out alone with ‘Does What He Wants’, a collection of eleven urgent yet poetic tracks tackling the challenges Vasquez has faced in the past few years.

Hug & Pint: 19:30 £10

The Night Cafe Featuring support from Paris Youth Foundation.

King Tuts: 20:30 SOLD OUT

Jelly Baby JellyBaby resident DJ Ted plays a party mash-up.

O2 ABC: 23:00 £4.00 Bloodbuzz Sean Campbell presents : BLOODBUZZ - an exploration through vibes and mixed media.

Nice N Sleazy: 23:30 FREE

FRI, 02 FEB

Jamie Lenman Jamie Lenman Stereo: 19:00

The Blinders, Shambolics and & The Ranzas A night full of rock featuring Shambolics and The Ranzas.

King Tuts: 20:30 £8.80

£5

Peter Broderick 2017 marks the birth of Allred & Broderick — a new duo project between Broderick and his musical partner David Allred.

Hug & Pint: 19:30 £12 Hello Creepy Spider + Support Fundraiser for St. Andrew’s Hospice jn Lanarkshire, with Hello Creepy Spider headlining plus support from Magic Trik and Athena’s Army!

Nice N Sleazy: 19:30 £5

Bloc + Jam Open Mic For the last few years Bloc+ has been running one of Glasgow’s most popular and consistently high-quality open mic nights, thanks largely to Jamie Sturt and friends, not to mention our incredibly gifted and facially pleasing clientele.

Bloc: 21:00 FREE Null Void Null / Void Industrial Celebration 11.30pm - 3am £3 (free for students / unwaged) Nice N Sleazy: 23:30 £3

MON, 05 FEB

Call For Sound INTER- is a quarterly spatial audio event event series presenting sound art and experimental studio production.

Stereo: 17:00 TBC

Acoustic Open Mic Night Glasgow’s longest running open mic is open to all, and each performer gets a free beer!

Nice N Sleazy: 20:00 FREE Josh Kelley Josh Kelley King Tuts: 20:30

£17.60

The events listed below were correct and up to date at time of going to print but please check the venue’s own website prior to booking

TUE, 06 FEB

Man I Feel Like A Woman Breaking down gender norms, ‘Man, I feel like a Woman!’ is a unique event which sees some of the most talented musicians in Glasgow cover songs by their icons of the opposite gender.

Hug & Pint: 19:30 £5 Lisa Kowalski Featuring support from Megan D. King Tuts: 20:30 £7.70 I AM Welcoming back those juice enthusiasts Capri Collective to the Sub Club basement for I AM’s first outing of 2018. Having played with the young guns numerous times now over 2017, I AM know what to expect from their friendly faces.

Sub Club: 23:00 £5.00

PERMOCULTURE The History of Dance, made present!

Nice N Sleazy: 23:30 FREE

THU, 08 FEB

Five Cousins + Support This event will be the 2nd edition of Cherry Bomb Music Events - femalefocused gigs. All acts performing at this event will either be all-female, or bands with at least one female member.

Nice N Sleazy: 19:30 £6 Hollie Cook Featuring support from General Roots.

King Tuts: 20:30 £14.30

Jelly Baby JellyBaby resident DJ Ted plays a party mash-up.

O2 ABC: 23:00 £4.00

FRI, 09 FEB

Soft Riot Album Launch Possession Records proudly present the new album by Soft Riot, entitled “The Outsider In The Mirrors”.

Hug & Pint: 19:30 £5 The Brew + Guests The Brew; a creative, passionate, energetically enthused classic rock band!

Nice N Sleazy: 19:30 £12 Andy Brown Andy Brown King Tuts: 20:30

£8.25

Propaganda An unrivalled audio visual mix of the best current and classic indie alternative music with special guests and Propaganda resident DJs. O2 ABC: 22:30 £5.00 Return To Mono Slam are on top of their game and have a special symbiotic back to back style all of their own. This is going to be one of those special ocassions when SLAM take complete control all night long.

Sub Club: 23:00 £10

DEATHKILL4000 Deathkill4000 has been running since 2003, it is wholeheartedly anti-establishment and features a wide range of alternative music whilst eschewing irony in all its despicable musical forms…

Bloc: 23:00 FREE

SAT, 10 FEB

London Calling The UK’s Premier Tribute to THE CLASH play their 1978 album in full.

Stereo: 19:00 £12.50

Broken By Rock A Saturday night triple bill of DIY indie pop from Sea Cucumbers, KiDD and Broken By Rock at The Hug & Pint Hug & Pint: 19:30 £5 Cattle + Support Leaders of the new wave of northern english noise rock. Combining all sorts of extreme sounds to deliver a shocking assault to the senses, we love them and know that you will also.

Nice N Sleazy: 19:30 £7 Sea Girls Featuring support from Able Faces and Victoria’s Flight King Tuts: 20:30 £8.25 LOVE MUSIC With great music, the stunning lighting display & the powerhouse of a soundsystem it has been the benchmark for the best in clubbing experiences in Scotland.

O2 ABC: 23:00 £4.00

Subculture Subculture is one of the world’s longest-running underground house night and the longest weekly house music residency on the planet. With Harri and Domenic in control week in week out, it’s easy to see why it has endured for the best part of two decades as they continue to serve up the most upfront and relevant selections of all that’s good in house and techno, keeping the vibe that the reputation of the club is built on.

Sub Club: 23:00 TBA Monster Hospital Sociopathic DJ chops from DJ duo Beyvnce Nailz and C4lvin Malice. Imagine the Cathouse without the kindergarten.

Bloc: 23:00 FREE

SUN, 11 FEB

Raveneye Featuring support from Skam and Anchor Lane.

King Tuts: 20:30 £11 Bloc + Jam Open Mic For the last few years Bloc+ has been running one of Glasgow’s most popular and consistently high-quality open mic nights, thanks largely to Jamie Sturt and friends, not to mention our incredibly gifted and facially pleasing clientele.

Bloc: 21:00 FREE

MON, 12 FEB

The Lovely Eggs + Support The Lovely Eggs + Support Stereo: 19:00 £10 Montero Montero operates in the rich widescreen soft rock tradition, updating the romantic classicism of golden era love songs with a psychedelic pop brush. Montero’s music evokes the extended soundscapes and textures of 70s prog, the easy listening adult weirdness of Jimmy Webband Burt Bacharach, and the sports arena pounding of vintage MOR rock - sometimes all in the space of one song.

Hug & Pint: 19:30 £8 Acoustic Open Mic Night Glasgow’s longest running open mic is open to all, and each performer gets a free beer!

Nice N Sleazy: 20:00 FREE

TUE, 13 FEB

The Molochs & Guests If we had to pick one album that’s been playing non-stop at Freakender HQ this year, it would be The Molochs’ ‘America’s Velvet Glory’ so we’re delighted to be bringing them back to Glasgow in February.

Nice N Sleazy: 19:30 £7 I AM Welcoming back those juice enthusiasts Capri Collective to the Sub Club basement for I AM’s first outing of 2018. Having played with the young guns numerous times now over 2017, I AM know what to expect from their friendly faces.

Sub Club: 23:00 £5.00

WED, 14 FEB

Will Black Good Evening, Glasgow! ​Experience an epic 2.5 hour electric & acoustic rock performance from Canadian musician Will Black as he features songs from his 3 original rock albums plus classic rock covers. ​ Will hosts Meet & Greet with friends & fans for 90 mins before the show.

Admission is included in ticket purchase - everyone is VIP! Hug & Pint: 19:30 £20 Queer Theory: The L Word Music, comedy, drag and more are on show at this valentine event Nice N Sleazy: 19:30 £5

THU, 15 FEB

$UICIDEBOY$ $uicideboy$ are one of the fastest growing acts in hip hop right now, and with the release of five new EPs – all part of the Kill Yourself saga – you don’t want to miss the chance to see the New Orleans duo at their peak.

O2 ABC: 19:00 £23 Nadja adja creates heavy atmospheric music which combines noise and electronics, ambient and shoegaze, and metal and industrial sounds.

Stereo: 19:00 £10

Iglooghost Iglooghost is a UK-based, electronic producer of hyperspeed booms, fizzes, squeezes and stretches. As the newest signee to Flying Lotus’ Brainfeeder label, he first released his dizzying ‘Chinese Nü Yr’ EP to much acclaim and contorted facial reactions. Iglooghost is also responsible for a large amount of the visual accompaniments to his music Hug & Pint: 19:30 £8 Mugstar & Guests Liverpool’s heaviest krautrock / post rock influenced band are back in glasgow, Finally!

Nice N Sleazy: 19:30 £6 SCOTTISH INDIE SAMPLER RELEASE PARTY The release of GOLDMOLD’s Scottish Indie Sampler Vol. 3 Bloc: 21:00 FREE Jelly Baby JellyBaby resident DJ Ted plays a party mash-up.

O2 ABC: 23:00 £4.00

FRI, 16 FEB

The Black Delta Movement Explosive live sounds from a dynamite band, this outfit pack a mighty punch with a heady mix of garage rock and psychedelia.

Nice N Sleazy: 19:30 £6 Nick Hakim Featuring support from Jamie Isaac.

King Tuts: 20:30 £12 Propaganda An unrivalled audio visual mix of the best current and classic indie alternative music with special guests and Propaganda resident DJs. O2 ABC: 22:30 £5.00

SAT, 17 FEB

Lewis Capaldi Soulful Scottish songwriter Lewis Capaldi may be new on the scene, but with his first UK tour already sold out and his second heading the same way, he’s certainly making an impression.

O2 ABC: 19:00 SOLD OUT Andy Gunn Scottish Guitar Virtuoso Andy Gunn brings his all-new line up featuring the cream of Scottish Blues musicians on tour in support of the brand new album ‘Too Many Guitars To Give Up Now’.

Stereo: 19:00 £8 Break Stuff A NIGHT OF NUMETAL NOSTALGIA FEATURING THE SOUNDTRACK OF A GENERATION FINALLY COMES TO SCOTLAND! Stereo: 19:00 TBC Loney Dear Swedish singersongwriter and multi-instrumentalist Emil Svanängen makes records and plays shows under the enigmatic name of Loney dear.

Hug & Pint: 19:30 £10 mob47 + Support Scottish fanzine Our Future is very proud to announce the return of Swedish hardcore legends Mob 47 to UK soil in February 2018.

Nice N Sleazy: 19:30 TBC Jess & The Bandits Featuring support from Kevin McGuire and The Step Brothers.

King Tuts: 20:30 £13.20 LOVE MUSIC With great music, the stunning lighting display & the powerhouse of a soundsystem it has been the benchmark for the best in clubbing experiences in Scotland.

O2 ABC: 23:00 £4.00 Subculture Subculture is one of the world’s longest-running underground house night and the longest weekly house music residency on the planet. With Harri and Domenic in control week in week out, it’s easy to see why it has endured for the best part of two decades as they continue to serve up the most upfront and relevant selections of all that’s good in house and techno, keeping the vibe that the reputation of the club is built on.

Sub Club: 23:00 TBA FANTASTIC MAN james van der beek approves this message Bloc: 23:00 FREE

HOLISTIC WAYS

FESTIVAL

Glasgow Trades Hall February 10th & 11th

Edinburgh Corn Exchange February 25th

SUN, 18 FEB

Alvvays Following the release of their new album Antisocialites, indie-pop band Alvvays are heading back to the UK in February 2018 for some of their biggest headline shows to date.

O2 ABC: 19:00 £17.40 Gun Outfit Gun Outfit Hug & Pint: 19:30

£9

The Barbiturates The Barbiturates are a Northern Irish band, who’s influences range from punk, rock and roll, hardcore and rock. They don’t confine themselves to one particular genre, but believe that “truth” is their genre.

Nice N Sleazy: 19:30 £6

Bloc + Jam Open Mic For the last few years Bloc+ has been running one of Glasgow’s most popular and consistently high-quality open mic nights, thanks largely to Jamie Sturt and friends, not to mention our incredibly gifted and facially pleasing clientele.

Bloc: 21:00 FREE

MON, 19 FEB

Acoustic Open Mic Night Glasgow’s longest running open mic is open to all, and each performer gets a free beer!

Nice N Sleazy: 20:00 FREE

TUE, 20 FEB

King 810 Featuring support from Courtesans and Rare Breed.

King Tuts: 20:30 £13.20

I AM Welcoming back those juice enthusiasts Capri Collective to the Sub Club basement for I AM’s first outing of 2018. Having played with the young guns numerous times now over 2017, I AM know what to expect from their friendly faces.

Sub Club: 23:00 £5.00

WED, 21 FEB

LaKyoto LaKyoto are kicking off the new year with a bang at Glasgow’s Hug and Pint Hug & Pint: 19:30

£8

Beatbox Scotland BEATBOX SCOTLAND, for the first time ever are putting on a beatbox event @ Nice and Sleazy’s, on the 21st February 2018 - since the foundations of the organisation in 2015.

Nice N Sleazy: 19:30 £2 Liam Doyle. Featuring support from Kieran McGuire.

King Tuts: 20:30 £7.70

SLACK: HOME$LICE + DEATH BED SLACK: HOME$LICE + DEATH BED Bloc: 21:00 TBC

THU, 22 FEB

Carlton Melta & Guests Psychedlic space rock at it’s finest.

Nice N Sleazy: 19:30 £6 Jelly Baby JellyBaby resident DJ Ted plays a party mash-up.

O2 ABC: 23:00 £4.00

Totallly Enormous Extinct Dinosaurs Since T.E.E.D began releasing tracks in 2009 he’s gone on to win huge awards such as iTunes ‘Debut Electronic Album Of The Year’ and DJ Mags ’album of the year’. Show couldn’t be more excited to welcome him back to Glasgow.

Sub Club: 23:00 £10

FRI, 23 FEB

The Xcerts The Scottish rock outfit get prepped for their biggest gig to date in support of their latest LP Hold On To Your Heart.

O2 ABC: 19:00 £15 Propaganda An unrivalled audio visual mix of the best current and classic indie alternative music with special guests and Propaganda resident DJs. O2 ABC: 22:30 £5.00 Shake Appeal WE ARE SHAKE APPEAL! AND WE PLAY ROCK N’ ROLL Bloc: 23:00 FREE

SAT, 24 FEB

Purple Rain - A Celebration of Prince Purple Rain is a world class, nine piece band who exist to celebrate the music, life and legacy of Prince. Performing many of the classics, such as ‘Kiss’, ‘When Doves Cry’ and ‘1999’, the group, lead by Jimi Love are a flawless tribute to the late, great performer.

O2 ABC: 19:00 £26 Laura Misch Laura Misch Stereo: 19:00

£9

The Youth And Young The Youth And Young Hug & Pint: 19:30 SOLD OUT Fairfollies & Support Inspired by the sounds and spirit of Scottish indie, folk and roots, FairFollies launch their new EP on 24 February at Nice n Sleazy, Glasgow.

Nice N Sleazy: 19:30 £5 LOVE MUSIC With great music, the stunning lighting display & the powerhouse of a soundsystem it has been the benchmark for the best in clubbing experiences in Scotland.

O2 ABC: 23:00 £4.00 Subculture Subculture is one of the world’s longest-running underground house night and the longest weekly house music residency on the planet. With Harri and Domenic in control week in week out, it’s easy to see why it has endured for the best part of two decades as they continue to serve up the most upfront and relevant selections of all that’s good in house and techno, keeping the vibe that the reputation of the club is built on.

Sub Club: 23:00 TBA Gonzo Glasgow’s best indie disco returns.

Bloc: 23:00 FREE

SUN, 25 FEB King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard Having recently released Sketches Of Brunswick East, the third of their five albums of 2017, Australian psychedelic rockers King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard return to UK shores for what is sure to be an unmissable headline show.

O2 ABC: 19:00 £22 Saint Agnes Saint Agnes Hug & Pint: 19:30

£6.50

Mega Ran + Support Mega Ran will, once again play Nice ‘N’ Sleazy to bring his unmistakable blend of Hip-Hop, video games and pop culture.

Nice N Sleazy: 19:30 £7 Bloc + Jam Open Mic For the last few years Bloc+ has been running one of Glasgow’s most popular and consistently high-quality open mic nights, thanks largely to Jamie Sturt and friends, not to mention our incredibly gifted and facially pleasing clientele.

Bloc: 21:00 FREE Rush Heavy house and techno all night long. Dress 2 sweat, feel the rush Nice N Sleazy: 23:00 FREE

MON, 26 FEB Acoustic Open Mic Night Glasgow’s longest running open mic is open to all, and each performer gets a free beer!

Nice N Sleazy: 20:00 FREE

TUE, 27 FEB Solomon Grey Solomon Grey release their sophomore record on Mercury KX in early 2018.

The record is proceeded by their soundtrack to the BBC 1 & Amazon Prime 6-part drama series The Last Post. This is now becoming the pattern for Solomon Grey’s Tom Kingston & Joe Wilson as they simultaneously build their careers as performing artists and Film & TV composers.

Hug & Pint: 19:30 £8 Jamie Reilly Jamie Reilly Nice N Sleazy: 19:30

£3

I AM Welcoming back those juice enthusiasts Capri Collective to the Sub Club basement for I AM’s first outing of 2018. Having played with the young guns numerous times now over 2017, I AM know what to expect from their friendly faces.

Sub Club: 23:00 £5.00

February 18 | WeAreTSA.co.uk

13

Do you do anything to prepare yourself before going on stage?

A while back Jamie got into a vocal warm-up routine before shows. The rest of us started to get involved in this misinterpreting the words into our own obscure comedic version becoming our own ritualistic pre-show hype up. It is probably quite bizarre to witness but for us, it’s a routine now. Jamie starts with his vocal warm-up and the rest of us begin to join in. It gets louder and more aggressive at it goes incorporating stomps claps and random nearby objects as percussion- it begins to sound more like a war chant than a warm-up.

We basically end up trying to make as much noise as possible before we head for the stage to make further loud noises. It warms up our throats, our bodies and psychs us up for the show!

14

music

Where do you feel you get the best response, at your own gigs where you are the headline act or a festival where you share the bill with other bands?

There’s something hugely exciting about our own shows. We go all out - it normally takes us weeks of preparation and a big team of friends colleagues and other professionals along with a few pulled in favours to make it special.

It’s a great feeling playing our tunes to a packed room full of fans (particularly the sold-out shows). But there’s also something fantastic about festival audiences and performing to largely people who haven’t seen us before. It becomes a challenge to step up to the plate and win them over, and when you look out from the stage you can see the reaction change on the faces of

the audience... that we weren’t quite what they were expecting, but they’re loving it, getting stuck in and enjoying themselves along with us - those are the shows that tend to stick in our memories stronger.

is two and a half minutes of pure chaos.

We enjoy a bit of chaos.

Where have you enjoyed performing most?

Belladrum Festival this year was mental! We played to a stowed out tent to a crowd 700 strong at midday.

Our on and off stage antics during the performance really riled up the fabulous festival goers who came to see us creating an amazing electric atmosphere.

Every show is a blast! But Glasgow and the Highlands are always a lot of fun. Perhaps cos they’re the two places we call home. Although we are desperate to venture further afield with our music nothing beats a hometown show.

What is your favourite track to play live?

We’d probably give you a different answer after every night, but Skeletons

What has been your most memorable experience to date?

Where do you see yourselves in 5 years?

Tricky to say! Any band who think they’re definitely gonna make a career doing this are fooling themselves... But we’re going to try very hard. We want

STUDENT OFFERS Available Sunday - Thursday SBCo Beers - £2.50 Per Pint House Spirit & Mixer - £2.50 Pizza & Pint - £4 to make it to mainland Europe unleash our energetic live performance on some unsuspecting Europeans. We also want to write and release as much new exciting music together as we possibly can. Whatever happens, I’m confident we’ll still be making music, and still be mates.

Looking back to when you first started, coming from a small town in the Highlands, could you ever imagine yourself where you are today?

When you’re in your teen years it’s easy to imagine yourself performing to stadiums full of people, playing 4 chord songs about a girl from school. When you mature a little the reality becomes much more apparent, and your expectations become more realisticbut like all musicians, you dream big.

It pushes you further and keeps you motivated. As far as we expected to come? Further. As far as we’d like to have come? No way! So we’ll keep working.

Where do you find influence for your music?

We all have different music that we listen to, but loud guitar music we have a joint interest in. We’ve always been gripped by great live performances, and that’s where we draw influence and what we try to do ourselves.

How has your music developed over the years since you first started?

It’s changed massively. In some ways, it’s become technically better, but in others, it’s grown more straightforward.

We started trying to play music that we thought people would like, but now we’re playing music that we want to play. It seems that the music we’re writing for ourselves is resonating with more people and in a stronger fashion than anything that we wrote in attempts to woo them.

You have had such a great response from your fans in your Crowdfunder campaign, did you expect to get this good a response?

We were overwhelmed at how quickly people were willing to help us out. We raised £1,000 in less than 4 days which was incredible. The money will go a LONG way to helping us get the music out there. We can’t thank those who contributed enough. We have wonderful friends, family and fans.

Calzone A Chocolate Bar - £2 Licor 43 Minibeer Shot - £2 50% Off Food At Weekends

shillingbrewingcompany.co.uk 92 West George St | G2 1PJ | 0141 353 1654

Can you tell us what we have to look forward to about the new EP?

Available upon production of a valid matriculation card.

It’s a bit different from our last EP, so if you didn’t enjoy that one, then good!

Maybe this one will tickle you! With this release, I feel like we’ve found our sound, and it might not be quite like what you’ve heard from us before. In an attempt to convey our live show energy this EP is a bit more savage, raw and ready... we can’t wait to open the cage and let it go a bit wild.

Aside from your upcoming EP release, do you have anything else coming up for you musically?

We’re doing a big run of dates early this year across the UK. And the plan is to continue as much gigging as we can throughout the year with our first festival appearance recently confirmed.

It’s what we love.

What’s next for Bloodlines this year?

More gigs, more music!

Bloodlines release their new EP “Primal Cuts” on the 16th of March, before embarking on a UK tour between 28th March and 8th of April taking them to Inverness, Glasgow, Edinburgh, Manchester, London, Brighton and Hastings.

Sample our ale selection Sample ourx ale selection with three third-pints of with three x third-pints of craft on draught.

craft on draught.

Interview by Rhiannon Melrose February 18 | WeAreTSA.co.uk 20171219 P&B TSA Quarter.indd 1

15

29/01/2018 16:35

5 Things to Do When You’re and Lonely on Valentine’s Da

5

Have a Wee Bubble Bath

Even though this is a popular activity for couples, there’s nothing more morbidly soothing than a bubble bath on the loneliest night of the year. Grab a bottle of tonic wine, light some candles and listen to heartwrenching ballads about solitude.

3

V

alentine’s Day is coming up. The time of year where capitalism takes advantage of gooey-eyed couples whose infatuation with each other piques to levels of fever pitch because love is in the air. People spend a fortune, sure, but when you have that special someone to spend it on it’s a magical feeling.

MAGICAL, I tell you. Don’t even pretend you don’t love it, you liar.

But not every sap is so lucky. For those of us who are destined to spend the night alone it’s actually quite depressing. We sit on Facebook vomiting at the cheesy sentiments you post about your “bae”, secretly longing for the day where we can unabashedly do the same. But, in our mind’s the arrival of that day seems about as likely as Scotland winning the World Cup. Sigh.

As someone who knows all too well what it’s like to spend Valentine’s Day dwelling in the depths of despair, I’ve had to learn how to cope and make my own distractions. Therefore, I’ve come up with a list of five activities which will hopefully see you singletons through the occasion in one piece. Not all of these are pleasant, mind you, but sometimes you just need to settle for keeping your head above water when life comes crashing down on you like a poop tsunami. Enjoy.

desperate and sad as the rest of us.

Red, though, indicates that you’re either content to be single or only willing to settle for the best -- and we all deserve the best. Whichever colour you choose, just know there will be someone on the dancefloor for you. Unless you’re me anyway, who’s always left these awful travesties with an empty wallet and an overwhelming sense of sadness.

Celine Dion’s rendition of “All By Myself” is a good starting point -- and a powerful one at that -- but Spotify is chock-full of emotional playlists designed to get you through the evening’s various stages of turmoil.

Come the end you’ll find yourself soaking in your own adult tears, but you’ll feel all the better for it. I’ve been there countless times.

4

Watch a Film

Bubblegum rom-coms and mushy sentimental fare will hit cinemas and streaming services nearer the big night. Just so the lovey dovey types have something to watch and winch to on their dates. Let them enjoy their fairytale dreams and warped vision of happily-ever-after, though -- it’ll all end soon enough. We know the truth: life is pain, love is dead, etc. Thankfully, there are some great movies out there which cater to this

Find a Traffic Light Party

These are a popular destination for single schmucks. That said, the big question is: “which sticker colour do I choose?” Green just screams desperate, horny and overly-keen. But if that’s you why not be upfront and open, eh? Think of it as a temporary fix -- like a band aid to cover your bleeding, yearning heart. Sometimes eternal love has even blossomed from instant passion. Orange, meanwhile, is the safe bet. It means you’re open to persuasion if the right person comes along and swoons you. It represents mystery, even if you are just as

notion as well. (500 Days) of Summer is always a good shout since it drags us through the emotional wringer but still peppers in a message of hope at the end to keep us optimistic about our future romantic prospects. But if you’re feeling truly cynical, Blue Valentine is a worthwhile option since it’s about the destruction of a relationship that feels disturbingly true to life if you’ve ever been in love and experienced it go down the toilet.

Your options are varied, so pick up some Ben and Jerry’s, stick on Netflix and lose yourself in the beautiful misery.

2

Install Tinder

There’s a stigma attached to dating apps that isn’t necessarily deserved. Navigating the wooing world is difficult at the end of the day, but Tinder and other groovy gadgets cut out the hassle of soulmatesearching the old-fashioned way. You can be upfront about what you’re

looking for and eventually someone will match with you and relight your fire Gary Barlow style. Apps like this are also good for a wee cheeky selfesteem boost; being called handsome by a complete stranger who may or may not be an axe murderer can restore some much-needed confidence when you’re single.

According to statistics, however, the busiest time of year for online dating is Valentine’s Day, so at least there will be plenty of potential lovers online to choose from. Maybe you’ll find your soulmate, maybe you’ll receive a nice compliment, maybe you’ll catch chlamydia. But, overall, the pros outweigh the cons.

Feeling Sad

ay

l

1

Hang Out With Your Friends At the end of the day, life is good when you’re in good company.

Significant others come and go, but friends last forever. At least good ones are anyway. There’s no better way to forget about being a dateless loser than surrounding yourself with people who make you feel like the champion you are. At the end of the day, we’re all pirates sailing through this ocean we call life and finding happiness is the treasure the majority of us pursue.

But the real treasure is alongside and has been there all along in the form of the friendships we’ve made.

Or something like that.

By Kieran Fisher @HairEverywhere_ kieranlikesmovies@gmail.com

February 18 | WeAreTSA.co.uk

17

READY, STEADY, COOK!

M

oving out for university can be an amazing experience. It’s often a person’s first real taste of independence. A chance to make your own decisions and explore who you really are when the parents aren’t quite so near to provide that safety net.

However independence also has its drawbacks. You quickly discover that when the milk runs out or when you have no clean socks to wear the only person who will get it done is you. And it’s also easy to forget how great it is to have a sit down, home cooked meal. So why not swap a night at the pub with a home cooked meal that’s almost as good as Mum’s.

Banish the instant noodles and cans of soup from your kitchen and pick up some life skills that’ll definitely impress everyone. The internet is full of recipes that are guaranteed crowd pleasers; you may even be able to convince your friends to give it a try too.

This year we are challenging people to change the way they spend time together. We

18

lifestyle

all know that student life is stressful, especially during the last few months of term. Between lectures, part-time jobs and studying for finals it can be hard to spend time with those closest to us. We want everyone to try and find the time this term to connect outside the campus. It can be with friends from home, your classmates or your society as long as you all sit down and spend time together.

Not only is staying in a cheaper way to spend your night off it will definitely pull in a crowd. Even that one friend who always bails.

Reconnect over a pasta bake or organise the next big adventure over a curry. Developing your skills in the kitchen could also be an easy way to stick to your new year’s resolution to get healthier. Everyone knows that takeouts aren’t good for us but who can resist the lure of sweet and sour chicken? Well this month lets try cooking our favourite takeaway at home. It doesn’t matter if you did it from scratch or from a jar, it’s still a step in the right direction. This could be the start of a new tradition. Try taking

it in turns to host the weekly get together and stretch your SAAS further this term. Even if you aren’t the safest option in the kitchen you can start small with some chicken, bell peppers and a flavour packet for some delicious fajita.

Sometimes cooking for a crowd opens up new opportunities when it comes to what you can cook too. Homemade soup is the best cure for homesickness or gross spring colds which just isn’t practical if you’re cooking for one.

Other dishes like lasagna are often too time consuming to be made a portion at a time and while they can be bought as ready meals it never tastes quite as good. If you’re lucky enough to have freezer space then it’s worth considering saving the leftovers for the night you just can’t be bothered.

Dinner isn’t the only meal that can be rescued this term. Let’s be honest with ourselves: canteen food is not the best and sandwich meal deals get old really fast. Invest in a cute lunch box or just dig out the plastic food boxes you came to university with and make lunch

exciting again. It doesn’t need to be fancy; pasta salad or some rice and veggies is easy to pack the night before and full of flavour. You can also make it in bulk at the beginning of the week and then freeze until needed. Again the internet is your friend with tons of lunch ideas that isn’t a boring sandwich. Another great way to bring everyone to the table is with a proper breakfast. If you’re lucky enough to all share a morning off take that time to show off your amazing pancake flipping skills. It’s a lot easier to concentrate when you’re not counting down the minutes to lunch whether you’re in a lecture or at work. The NHS recommends eating breakfast daily as it is shown to reduce obesity, high blood pressure, heart disease and diabetes.

Having a sit down breakfast is a great way to look after your mental health as well. Spending even fifteen minutes preparing yourself for the day can improve your mindfulness and help you feel more confident about the day ahead.

Not got time for a full sit down meal? We’ve all been there but constant studying will cause serious burnout. Studies have shown that taking

regular study breaks can greatly improve your concentration and low blood sugar is known to affect your ability to solve problems. Be the hero of the study group with yummy pastries, channel your inner Mary Berry with some home baking. Who knows you might be the next Great British Bake Off champion. Bake sales can be a great way to raise money for your society or sports team and it can be a great way to build teamwork off the field. Baking is also a therapeutic activity that will help with stress and get you away from the textbooks while still being productive. So next time you do your grocery shop take a wee detour through the home baking section.

When it comes to movie night they’ve got you covered with a wide range of snacks, wine and of course ice-cream. It doesn’t need to be a special occasion to see your friends and it’s a lot easier to catch up with people when you’re not shouting over music or trying not to spill your

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drink. Squeeze everyone on the couch and have a cosy night and embrace the winter season with friends.

You’ll be amazed at how much you can save by simply changing how you socialise and how you eat. Food isn’t just something we need it builds friendships and helps strengthen old ones.

It doesn’t matter how you do it this year just do it together.

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February 18 | WeAreTSA.co.uk

19

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GAY HISTORY 101 We are lucky to have such bold and powerful LGBT+ figures in the public eye, from the sublime Laverne Cox to the nation’s sweetheart Graham Norton. But we need to remember the LGBT people who sacrificed everything and worked tirelessly to break through society’s homophobia to achieve equality. Even researching this feature was an amazing, educative experience, discovering LGBT people who made a huge impact in the fight for equality like Lilli Vincenz, who spear-headed the US gay rights movement two years prior to Stonewall, and Frances Power Cobbe one of the first and most influential women to speak out against domestic violence. There are countless heroes, many of whom go unrecognised.

Inspired by LGBT History Month, now is as good a time as any to pay tribute to the pioneers who got us where we are today.

Ellen DeGeneres

It’s hard to believe there was a time before Ellen was the queen of daytime TV, best pals with every celebrity and half of one of Hollywood’s golden couples. But the comedian is a real LGBT hero- she had a hit sitcom Ellen in the mid-90s and decided to come out publicly in the show “The Puppy Episode”, she was threatened by religious groups, her show was cancelled within a year- with criticism it became “too gay”- and had committed career suicide. But she returned to daytime to unprecedented success, averaging about 3.9 million viewers each day. Ellen, who just celebrated her 60th birthday, is perhaps the most influential LGBT person in the USA, and uses this influence to promote equality to an enormous audience.

Harvey Milk

Many agree there would be no marriage equality without Harvey Milk. When he won a seat on the San Francisco Board of Supervisors, he became the first openly gay person to be elected into public office in California. He was assassinated in November 1978 by former SF Supervisor Dan White who was convicted of manslaughter rather than murder. In his politics, Milk emphasised that gay people should be more visible to help end discrimination and violence towards them.

He was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom posthumously in 2009 and once said “If a bullet should enter my brain, let that bullet destroy every closet door.”

Marsha P Johnson

An often overlooked LGBT pioneer is Marsha P Johnson, a drag queen and gay liberation activist who was a key player in the Stonewall riots of 1969, when resistance to police intervention spear-headed the modern gay rights movement in New York’s Greenwich Village. Johnson and fellow icon Sylvia Rivera co-founded the Street Transvestite Action Revolutionaries (STAR); together they were a visible presence at gay liberation marches and other radical political actions, as well as providing food and clothing to help support young drag queens, trans women and other street kids living on the streets.

In the 1980s Johnson continued her street activism as a respected organizer and marshal of HIV/AIDS organisation ACT UP. Johnson is true LGBT heroine.

Jimmy Somerville

Glasgow’s own Jimmy Somerville was one of the first major gay pop stars of the 80s. His band Bronski Beat made history with their ground-breaking single “Smalltown Boy,” a song that explores homophobia, familial rejection and the loneliness they create. Oh, and it’s amazing to dance to. Somerville was out and prouda rarity at one time in British music, using same-sex pronouns in his songs- and a vocal supporter of LGBT and AIDS issues. It’s hard to deny the cultural impact Jimmy Somerville has had in promoting gay life to the masses.

Billie Jean King

One of my favourite and hugely overlooked LGBT heroes is tennis legend Billie Jean King. The winner of 30 Grand Slam titles, she was the first female athlete to come out as a lesbian, and couldn’t retire when she lost all her sponsorship money as a result. She has used her power and influence to support the Women’s Sports Foundation and the Elton John AIDS foundation. She was the subject of last year’s film “Battle of the Sexes,” telling the story of a challenge by Bobby Riggs who came out of retirement to prove the female game was inferior. King won; Riggs lost $100,000; feminists around the world rejoiced.

April Ashley

Trans pioneer April Ashley is one of the earliest known people to transition in the UK. She has had a tumultuous and fascinating life, serving time in the navy, becoming a cabaret star in Paris and becoming a hugely successful model. Ashley appeared on the cover of magazines like Vogue and became an actress before being outed in the papers and suffering a major career set back. April Ashley is the perfect example of an LGBT icon who broke ground, allowing future generations to benefit from the progress she achieved.

by Jonny Stone @jonny_stone_ j.stone@tsaglasgow.com

February 18 | WeAreTSA.co.uk

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LGBTI NEWS FROM AROUND THE WORLD Glasgow Pride is having a makeover! Exciting announcements have been made regarding this year’s Pride festival. For one, it is changing dates, from August to 14th and 15th July.

And it is changing location, moving from Glasgow Green to Kelvingrove Park. Pride Chief Executive, Alastair Smith, said: “The decision to move to Kelvingrove I know will be a positive one and I’m delighted that we will fall on

Glasgow’s fair weekend. I’m sure that we can follow on from the success of previous Pride festivals. But most importantly, my childhood hero and lesbian icon Mel C is headlining.

SPORTY SPICE IS HEADLINING, THIS IS NOT A DRILL. While we wait for more details to be announced, one can assume 2018’s Pride is one not to miss.

According to GLAAD Media, fewer non-LGBT adults reported being comfortable with their LGBT peers than in previous years in a recent survey. This marks the first time in the fouryear history of the Accelerating Acceptance report that GLAAD has witnessed a decline in LGBT acceptance. The survey presents participants with various scenarios to deliberate, including same-sex marriages, seeing gay couples holding hands and learning your doctor is LGBT. GLAAD President Sarah Ellis suggests

that “This change can be seen as a dangerous repercussion in the tenor of discourse and experience over the last year,” Ellis wrote.

“2017 brought heightened rhetoric toward marginalized communities to the forefront of American culture.” In a year where Trump attempted to ban transgender servicemen and women from the military, the rise of trans violence and murder and Mississippi’s anti-gay laws introduced, this revelation does not come as a surprise, as disheartening as it is.

Queer breakout hit Call Me By Your has been nominated not only for Best Picture at this year’s Academy Awards but also Best Actor for Timothée Chalamet and Best Adapted Screenplay. There are many other LGBT nominees this year, including Dee Rees for her screenplay for Mudbound, which also sees cinematographer Rachel Morrison receive

a nomination (first time ever for a female cinematographer!) Chilean film A Fantastic Woman, showing at this year’s Glasgow Film Festival, has been nominated for Best Foreign Language film, while Benj Pasek has been nominated for Best Original Song for his contribution to The Greatest Showman. It’s a pretty gay year for cinema, it seems.

Thousands of young American LGBT people will undergo conversion therapy from a licensed healthcare professional before they turn 18. According to the UCLA School of Law, roughly 20,000 Teenagers aged 13 to 17 will go through an attempt to change their sexual orientation. Often referred to as “reparative” therapy, conversion sees people undergo harmful psychological measure to cure their homosexuality and is discredited by official medical practitioners. Lead study

author Christy Mallory states that “Our research shows that laws banning conversion therapy could protect tens of thousands of teens from what medical experts say is a harmful and ineffective practice,” Incredibly it is legal in the UK; however in January 14 health organisations - including NHS England and the Royal College of Psychiatrists - signed an agreement that described the treatment as “potentially harmful and unethical”.

Buzzfeed News revealed a man from Glasgow had been denied the chance to take up a training position with EasyJet because of his HIV status and in response; the UK’s Civil Aviation Authority has changed its rules to allow people with HIV to become commercial airline pilots. The man had been denied his lifelong ambition of being a pilot because of his status. The CAA had told him that it was bound to follow the rules laid down by the European regulator, the European Aviation Safety Authority (EASA), which meant that in

order for people with HIV to become pilots they had to have a medical certificate with an addition called an “operational multi-crew limitation”. Nicola Sturgeon warned that it could be in breach of equality legislation, and Lilian Greenwood, chair of the Commons transport select committee, wrote to the transport secretary about Anthony’s case. While the case has been resolved, thankfully, it serves as a reminder that HIV/AIDS stigma still exists within facets of society.

Each year, Glasgow Film Festival boasts an exciting array of bold and exciting LGBT+ themed films, and 2018 is no exception.

This year’s festival, which runs from 21st February to 4th March, showcases sublime cinema talent from across the globe offering rich and diverse queer stories, from shiny teen rom-coms to punk-infused odes to the past. We have done the leg work for you and highlighted the very best in queer cinema Glasgow Film Festival has to offer. Now is as important a time as any to support LGBT+ cinema in Hollywood, as well as independent cinema; celebrate the momentum of equality we have worked to achieve and invest in LGBT+ stories.

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120 BPM (Beats Per Minute) Robin Campillo has created a bustling fresco of the personalities and politics of the ACT UP Paris LGBTQI community during the 1990s; the film follows hot-headed Sean as he falls under the spell of gravely handsome newcomer Nathan. A moving, lump-in-thethroat love story matched by a celebration of the power of activism.

GFT / Mon 26 (19.45) and Tue 27 Feb (13.00)

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A Fantastic Woman Chilean director Sebastian Lelio brings you the story of transgender woman Marina, who is planning her future with her lover Orlando when he falls ill and dies. Her right to grieve is challenged by hospital staff, Orlando’s family and ex-wife: Marina’s defiant resistance makes for rousing, wrenching cinema. Plus it has nominated for Best Foreign Language film at the Academy Awards, so don’t miss it!

GFT / Sun 25 (20.40) and Mon 26 Feb (13.15)

by Jonny Stone @jonny_stone_ j.stone@tsaglasgow.com

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Reading Is Fundamental brings to you the finest new literature queer and feminist writers have to offer. We will also take a look back at seminal works that have shaped such literature throughout the ages; suggestions are always welcome, so get in touch at @ jonny_stone_ or @TSA_Newspaper to keep us in the know. Get out your library cards.

Love, Simon We discussed this queer coming of age teen flick in our last issue so it is very exciting to have GFF hosting the film’s gala. 17 year old Simon is gay but isn’t out: he is falling in love with the equally closeted anonymous classmate he met online. The screen version of the novel Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda, Love, Simon is a fresh, funny inspirational take on growing up and coming out. Not to be missed!

Everyday’s a school day, and when society in 2018 is undergoing such a seismic shift towards gender equality, it’s important to keep in the know.

Cineworld / Fri 2 (20.45) and Sat 3 Mar (18.00)

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How to Talk to Girls at Parties John Cameron Mitchell, director of Hedwig and the Angry Inch, returns with a shapeshifting adaptation of the Neil Gaiman short story, charting the impact of punk on an unsuspecting Britain. Starring Alex Sharp, Elle Fanning and the incomparable Nicole Kidman as punk queen Boadicea, an anarchic film with a blistering soundtrack.

Cineworld / Wed 28 Feb (20.30) and Thu 1 Mar (13.00)

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You, Me and Him John Cameron Mitchell, director of Hedwig and the Angry Inch, returns with a shapeshifting adaptation of the Neil Gaiman short story, charting the impact of punk on an unsuspecting Britain. Starring Alex Sharp, Elle Fanning and the incomparable Nicole Kidman as punk queen Boadicea, an anarchic film with a blistering soundtrack.

GFT / Sun 25 (18.15) and Mon 26 Feb (15.15)

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Thankfully, Modern Women: 52 Pioneers by Kira Cochrane is on hand to celebrate women who have shaped culture, sport and science and continue to be an inspiration to many. It may have been released mid-2017, but its timing couldn’t be more perfect. Nasty women galore.

The book begins with the clearest of intentions: a bold splash page of feminist icon (in the very literal sense of the word) Rosie the Riveter, the world-renowned image representing the women who worked in factories and shipyards during World War II, many of whom produced munitions and war supplies. In fact, the real-life inspiration for Rosie – Naomi Parker Fraley – only died last month at the incredible age of 98. What follows is an extensive list of icons in their own right, from the wellknown to the obscure.

Modern Women is a collection of essays and profiles on accomplished and influential women; it goes without saying that our dream President Oprah Winfrey makes the cut, given her immeasurable contribution to broadcasting and to redefining what it means to be a public figure. Cochrane herself writes “Through her life and work, Winfrey has proved to her enormous constituency – including women, African-Americans, the poor, abandoned and abused – that they have value and should be seen.” And

there are chapters I have my own soft spot for: it pleases me to no end to hear anyone wax lyrical about the nuance and boldness of Bjork and the DIY, independent spirit of Kathleen Hanna.

Cochrane includes women who may not get the exposure one would imagine, or at least figures this guilty feminist should perhaps have known already. The reader is introduced, for example, to Jayaben Desai – a strike leader specifically handling women-led walk outs that helped prompt the Equal Pay Act of 1970 – and Ida B. Wells, a pioneer who emerged as one of the late 19th century’s only black female journalists. In the age of Me Too and Time’s Up, there has never been a more pertinent time to explore these women’s stories and take inspiration from their legacy.

The book itself is of high quality, with luscious paper and bold photos to accompany each feature. The profiles are lovingly written, with thorough detail and context. What is memorable, though, is the personal engagement Cochrane creates with each woman. Highlights include the only joint feature on writers and activists Gloria Steinem and Dorothy Pitman Hughes, feminist heroes in their own right who collaborated to spear-head the intersectionality of feminism and provide a unified voice for women, seen as an oppressed class. The image of the two raising their fists in solidarity is stirring as it is.

Read Modern Women for an education, revision or simply a celebration of the key figures that shaped politics, the arts and science throughout the past two centuries. The coffee table books to end all coffee table books, Modern Women serves as a timely reminder of the role we can all play, on whatever scale, to achieve equality for all. Readers can take Chimamanda Ngozie Adichie’s precept “Try and create the world you want to live in” and run with it.

by Jonny Stone @jonny_stone_ j.stone@tsaglasgow.com

February 18 | WeAreTSA.co.uk

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Scotland’s LGBT+ History Month Scotland’s LGBT History Month runs every February and enables people to celebrate queer culture and awareness in many different capacities. Whether it’s hosting a queer cinema night, leading a panel on issues facing the LGBT community or throwing a raging party, there are many platforms to push gay culture to the forefront. The festival allows us to celebrate queer lives by exploring our own and presenting these lives in a historical context.

Created and delivered by the vital LGBT Youth Scotland, the festival is also an “opportunity for learning, discussion and debate around the continued fight for LGBT liberation,” and in the volatile political landscape of 2018, there has never been a better time in recent years to protect our civil and social status.

The overall aim of LGBT History month is to promote equality and diversity for the benefit of the public. The events below are far from exhaustive: there are countless experiences going on in Glasgow and Edinburgh, as well as cities and towns across the country. For all information about the events and LGBT History Month, visit www.lgbthistory.org. uk. This year’s festival commemorates the 30th anniversary of the passing of Section 28, which prohibited local authorities from disseminating materials that ‘promoted homosexuality’ in schools; and the fortieth anniversary of the murder by shooting of Harvey Milk, the USA’s first out-gay elected councillor (and hero on our Gay History 101 countdown this month). There is also a focus on Geography: Mapping the World, especially now that LGBT citizens in Australia and up to 16 more central and South American nations will be able to enjoy same sex weddings.

And don’t forget that the last Friday of LGBT History Month is Purple Friday: so on Fri 23 Feb, it is your duty to wear purple to stand up against sexual and gender discrimination and support our community. Maybe even make your own and encourage others to make a small donation to LGBT Youth Scotland to take part.

Glasgow: CINE[STHESIA] 21: AN LGBT HISTORY MONTH SPECIAL CINE[STHESIA] is a film club which showcases hidden gems from the National Library of Scotland’s Moving Image Archive. To celebrate LGBT History Month the organisation will hear from Scotland’s queer community – with film from the Moving Image Archive and oral histories from Scotland’s Sounds and OurStory Scotland. After the screening, you are welcome to explore their collections in the National Library’s award-winning Kelvin Hall venue. ((National Library of Scotland at Kelvin Hall, 14:00 to 15:00 and 18:00 to 19:00

NON-BINARY NIGHT A monthly friendly, welcoming and inclusive social space for non-binary and genderqueer people, with occasional optional activities, on Wed 7 Feb the group will discuss the current consultation on Scotland’s reform for the Gender Recognition Act. The group meets monthly on Wednesdays out with LGBT History Month.

(Waterstones 174-176 Argyle Street, Wed 7 Feb, 2018 19:00 to 21:00)

SEXTIVAL: A CELEBRATION OF QUEER SEX & RELATIONSHIPS Do you ponder what it means to have a healthy relationship and sex life within your queer identity? The LGBT Community Project Glasgow presents a series of workshops and discussions exploring issues for different parts of our community. It will be followed by a community discussion putting everything together, with contributors to include Terrence Higgins Trust, Luke & Jacks (at the shop) and Smut Slam (at Kinning Park) in the evening.

(CCA Glasgow, Sat 10 Feb, 10:30 to 16:00)

LGBT YOGA My personal highlight of this year’s programme: Open to all queer identities and bodies, yoga instructor Allison will lead a gentle session appropriate for all fitness/experience levels. If you’ve never tried yoga before, this is a great opportunity to explore the practice in a safe, welcoming and inclusive space.

Monthly, on Tuesdays (Seasonal Yoga Studio 46 Darnley Street, Tue 13 Feb, 15:00 to 16:00)

RAINBOW RELAY 2018 TSA favourite Glasgow Frontrunners’ Rainbow Relay is to celebrate LGBT History Month. It’s open to everyone who want’s to come along and have fun. 3 team members each running 3km (approx.), followed by a group dash to the finish line. There will be prizes for Fastest Team, Best Team Name, & Best Rainbowthemed Costume. If you’re not running in fancy dress, help us to create a rainbowcoloured run, by wearing a t-shirt colour according to your date of birth: Jan/Feb RED, March/April - ORANGE, May/June - Yellow, July/August - GREEN, Sept/Oct - BLUE, November/December PURPLE/INDIGO. (People’s Palace Winter Gardens, Glasgow Green, Sun 18 Feb) DRAG SCHOOL Come celebrate LGBT History month at Scotland Street School Museum

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and find your inner realness. Open to adults of all identities, this fun, free workshop provides a space to “kiki, werq and develop confidence through drag,” facilitated by some of Glasgow’s fiercest Queens.

(Scotland Street School Museum, Sat 17 Feb)

QUEER THEORY: THE L WORD Make this a Valentines Day to remember.

A queer cabaret show combining live music, drag, comedy, poetry and performance art. Organised by resident band Black Doves, Queer Theory runs monthly at Nice N Sleazy. For LGBT History Month, guest host Katy Cupid will be compering a fabulous bill of acts celebrating sapphic love! Featuring a host of music from Black Doves and Ms Truelove Waits, comedy from Sarah Short, a drag king performance from TSA favourite King Biff and much more.

(NICE N SLEAZY, Wed 14 Feb)

LGBT BRITAIN During a century of explosive social change, queer identities were maligned and celebrated amid decades of courageous activism. This fascinating collection of archive footage includes some of the earliest known representations of LGBTIQ+ people on screen, such as the 1925 film ‘Cutie Cattaro’ about a boxer and a drag queen, and ‘Percy’ competing for a prize in 1909. Films and videos leading up to the 1990s allow us to witness the painful experiences of AIDS victims, the formation of the Gay Black Group, and the fight for transgender rights in the European Court. This moving film depicts both the collective struggle for basic rights and personal, intimate and psychological experiences. It represents ninety years of people who claimed the right to say publicly and proudly: this is who I am and this is who I love.

(National Library of Scotland at Kelvin Hall, Wed 14 Feb 18.00-19.30) Edinburgh: QUEER CHAMPIONS Queer Champions is a series of black and white portraits of lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans and queer individuals in Scotland who are celebrities, artists, activists, campaigners, community workers or ‘unsung heroes’. Queer Champions will have national and international significance as it capture the richness and diversity of a Scottish community.

Queer Champions is a landmark collaborative exhibition project by Ajamu Artist, the Equality Network, Street Level

Photoworks and the Equality Network.

(Scottish Parliament Garden Lobby, Horse Wynd, Mon 5 Feb 10.00-4.00)

THE STAND COMEDY CLUB: BENEFIT IN AID OF LGBT YOUTH SCOTLAND Join Abigoliah Schamaun, Jay Lafferty, Natalie Sweeney, Andrew Sim and host Bruce Devlin for a fantastic night of comedy in support of LGBT Youth Scotland’s valuable work. LGBT Youth Scotland supports LGBTI young people through groups and one to one support.

Their vision is that Scotland is the best place to grow up for LGBTI young people.

(The Stand Comedy Club, Tue 6 Feb, 20.30)

F, M OR OTHER: QUARRELS WITH THE GENDER BINARY From fierce feminism to modern masculinity, nuanced experiences of nonbinary identities, perspectives on passing, speculative futures and supernatural beings, childhood, femme fatales, brazen boyishness and the like – F, M or Other is Knight Errant Press’ first curated collection; fresh, punchy and pertinent. A bold variety of perspectives on the human condition, examining and subverting our perception of the gender binary with a multitude of voices across gender, location and experience.

(Lighthouse - Edinburgh’s Radical Bookshop, Thu 8 Feb 20.00-22.20) ANTI-VALENTINE’S HORROR NIGHT A Valentine’s event for gay, bi and trans men (inclusive of non-binary people) with a difference: you don’t have to be in a relationship to attend and there won’t be any mention of hearts or roses!

Join them for coffee and games at 6pm, followed by a screening of a classic queer horror film at 7pm. There’ll be nothing soppy about tonight. Optional local drinks afterwards.

(LGBT Health and Wellbeing, Thu 15 Feb, 18.00-21.00) THE RABBIT HOLE: CATEGORY IS… The Rabbit Hole is throwing a ball... “well, paying playful homage!” There will be four categories and opportunities for all to walk and those with the highest scores will receive a trophy and other glamorous prizes. The categories are: PRETTY IN PINK AND YELLOW RABBIT’S RABBITS RABBITS BEARDED AND BUTCH CAN WE CALL IT VOGUE? (CC Bloom’s, Tue 13 Feb, 21.00-3.00)

by Jonny Stone @jonny_stone_ j.stone@tsaglasgow.com

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February 18 | WeAreTSA.co.uk

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HAVE YOURSELF A

CRAFTY LITTLE

Valentine’s WITH THE

EDINBURGH ART SHOP

GET CRAFTY FOR VALENTINE’S DAY What better way to show your loved one what they mean to you than the thought and care that goes into making your own Valentine’s gifts? There’s no need to spend a fortune, get creative and fill your day with little hand made tokens of love. Here are some cheap and easy ways to get you started.

MAKE YOUR OWN CARD | 30-45 MINUTES. Rather than battling the hordes in your local dingy card shop, how about a DIY Valentine’s card? It doesn’t take long to put one together and it’s something they’ll be sure to keep and remember.

ALL YOU’LL NEED IS Some good quality card (we’ve used brown black and red here but you can of course use your favourite colours), a pair of scissors, card glue, sticky foam pads, black paper and a white pen. Use the photo here as a guide and you’ll find you’re finished in no time.

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Start off by folding a piece of high quality brown card carefully in half using a ruler.

2

Take your black paper and outline your circle template with a suitably sized tin lid.

3

Write your Valentine message in the centre before carefully cutting out the circle shape. You can be as neat as you want here and if you’ve used the white pen to draw the template then a little of the white round the edge can add to the handmade charm. Maybe try a few variations and messages before choosing your favourite, don’t worry if you’re not delighted with your first effort, just chalk it up to experience.

4

Now grab your red paper and cut out 30 or so little red hearts.

Again it’s best to make too many and use your favourites.

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Position your message circle and hearts around the front of the card until you’re happy with the layout.

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Now it’s time to have fun with glue and sticky pads. Simply glue the message circle to the centre of the front page. Then fix a small sticky pad to each of the hearts in turn before sticking back into position. Now all that’s left is to wait for the glue to dry – time to think of your very own personal message for inside.

Get all of the materials you need to have a bash at this hand made Valentine’s card (or your own inspiration) from the Edinburgh Art Store, situated at 129 Lauriston Place, Tollcross, Edinburgh, EH3 9JN. With a 15% discount for students, what’s not to love?

FOOD FOR THOUGHT

So, that’s January out of the way, how did you get on? For many of us it’s the real start of the new year. The crocuses are just beginning to pop their heads out from beneath the soil and the warmth of the sun is no longer a distant memory, however fleetingly it may still occur. February gives us a chance to take stock, tame the self imposed brutalist fitness regimes or step out from meagre hibernation and compose a more personal and perhaps more reasonably balanced routine suitable for seeing us though the months of studying and exams ahead.

With that in mind, we’ve put together some ideas on how to tweak your day to accommodate healthy eating habits without losing the joy of eating or hours of prep.

The most important thing, as everyone knows, is setting up your day with a good breakfast. A great way to start your metabolism is with eating food high in fibre and protein. As much as we’d love to, lets face it, with early morning lectures and whatnot, we’re not going to have perfectly poached eggs on avo toast every day, but a good muesli containing nuts and seeds with almond or oat milk is a simple and quick alternative. Throw in a chopped banana or a handful of berries and you’re getting your morning sugar kick in there too.

When we’re rushing between lectures and racing for that coveted (or realistically, any) spot in the library it’s easy to forget to eat or even fall back on pie beans and chips from the union. Doing this regularly can starve you of nutrients and severely effect your concentration. One idea is to pack a some dried fruit, toasted pitta fingers and a half tub of hummus the night before along with a few chopped carrots and some cherry tomatoes. Fire some nuts and seeds in a wee tub and you’re done.

It only takes 5 minutes to do and means you’ll save time the next day and never have to do without.

Your energy levels should be consistent and you should find it much easier to concentrate on the task at hand.

If you’ve made it though the day, avoided the pub pitfall on the way home, ignored the plastic trays of cheap lasagne and takeaway pizza leaflets- well done. There’s nothing quite like making your own

meal for the feel good factor – and besides you can of course keep the leftovers for tomorrow’s lunch.

A favourite in our house is this easy vegetable and coconut milk curry.

Vegetable and coconut curry recipe. Start by boiling up some whole grain rice. While it’s bubbling away cook some curry paste and onion (thinly sliced) together in a large pan for 2-3 minutes until it starts to soften. Add cumin seeds, sweet potatoes, carrots (thinly sliced) and cauliflower and cook for another 2 minutes. Add 300ml of stock and the can of coconut milk. Half an hour and you’re done.

Have some kimchi on the side and you’ve taken a step towards gut health too. Like many fermented foods kimchi promotes the good bacteria that assist in how nutrients are absorbed, assimilated and digested in our bodies - there is a TRILLION of these bacteria living in each gut! Highly stressful lives, processed foods and refined sugars all help feed the ‘bad’ bacteria. An imbalance of too much ‘bad’ and not enough ‘good’ can result in problems like constipation, diarrhoea and bloating. So it’s best to have a pro-biotic milk drink or some other fermented food each day to help them along their merry way.

There’s nothing that competes with being organised and planning healthy dinners and snacks.

Hopefully we’ve given some pointers that you can take on board but everyone has different tastes and habits - you’ll find your own way to make food work for you rather than just to stave off hunger. Giving it a bit of thought can help get you on the way to a more consistent eating lifestyle which can seriously improve your concentration, help combat illness and in turn improve the outcome of your studies.

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AYE WRITE! All bookworms welcome! Big and wee! Two of Glasgow’s most vibrant and wellknown festivals are back. Bob McDevitt’s, “Aye Write!” and Margaret Houston’s, “Wee Write!” festival will make their big return on the 15th-25th of March in various venues across Glasgow. The festivals are crucial parts of Glasgow’s cultural heritage and will celebrate the importance of embracing various forms of literature through the work of Scottish and international writers. Some of the big names and emerging talent to look out for at this year’s Aye Write! Festival are Maggie O’Farrell, Val McDermid, Brett Anderson, Professor A.C Grayling, Evan Davis, Shami Chakrabarti, Graeme Obree and Jo Swinson.

Literature is a central part of people’s lives, not only providing pleasure to readers and listeners but it also helping them explore their world, understand topics and connect with each other. Aye Write! will feature a range of upbeat performances, memoir, music, poetry and journalism for the widest audiences. For children, the Wee Write! festival is a great opportunity to inspire and encourage children to read books and learn how to use their imagination to paint images using words. According to the Wee Write!, in Scotland, only one in five children from poorer families leave primary school unable to read well and one in seven children don’t have a book of their own at home. The support across Scotland for this annual festival will help to develop reading facilities for schools across Scotland and give fairer access to children who need it most.

The Aye Write! festival is becoming more and more popular each year with a widening number of venues across Glasgow participating; including The Mitchell Library, Glasgow Royal Concert Hall, the Centre for Contemporary Arts, The Glasgow Film Theatre, City Halls, Glasgow University and Tramway. You can pick up at Aye Write! Programme from local libraries across Glasgow, Kelvingrove Museum and Art Gallery, The Riverside Museum, The Citizens Theatre and Waterstones.

Ruby Wax, Actress and mental health campaigner will start off the Aye Write! event with her new book, “How To Be Human: The Manual”. It investigates the way people think about themselves, their place within society and the world and also how to truly find happiness, with guidance from a monk and neuroscientist. It will also share some funny and relatable experiences of Ruby’s to give it a little humorous edge. Another exciting discussion to look forward to is, PT and Social media influencer, Bradley Simmonds who will also be making an appearance this year to discuss his new book, “Get it Done!” which gives tips and advice on how to achieve the summer body of your dreams. Bradley’s book talks nutrition, fitness and celebrity diet secrets. Bradley, who’s clientele are mostly celebrities, will spill all the secrets to living a healthy and full life.

Also among the authors appearing at Aye Write! this year, there will be various discussions from renowned speakers. Some of the previous topics of discussion investigated the mental health of soldiers and what happens when they return.

Topics in discussion this year will include Michael Marra, pre-Brexit Britain, how we live in 2018 and what we learn from death, the forgiveness project and the Archers.

Students studying creative courses at Glasgow and Strathclyde university will have their work showcased at the event and there will also be a Scottish Poetry Slam competition. This will see poets rhyme and rap as they compete to represent Scotland in the World Series. There will also be various launches, including the eight addition of The Gutter, Scotland’s leading magazine of new writing. Aye Write! is the perfect opportunity to feel inspired as you listen to some incredible performances.

One event to look forward to is “The Ian Bell Prize - The Importance of Good Journalism.” This will take a look at the life of the late Ian Bell, an author and journalist who worked for The Herald until his death in 2015. He had a groundbreaking career; he was named Columnist of The Year on multiple occasions and won the Orwell Prize for political journalism. In memory of Ian, the Bell family created this award for young aspiring journalists, the winner will be judged by a panel, after discussion on the importance of good, honest journalism.

The Wee Write! Festival takes place on Saturday the 3rd of March at The Mitchell Library. This event is packed full of games and activities for all the family and is the perfect way to encourage children to enjoy learning and reading books. Reading at an early age brings a number of benefits: increased mental stimulation, stress reduction, memory improvement, improved focus and concentration, stronger analytical skills and better writing skills. The Wee Write! for schools programme will see characters come to life through live talks and interactive workshops. Schools will receive copies of the author’s books which children will be able to loan as part of the initiative and afterwards will be given the opportunity to meet their author. On top of this, there are a number of activities for children to get involved with which include The Play, Talk, Read Bus which helps children to find more ways to enjoy learning by listening to stories and getting involved in activities which aim to get spark their imagination.

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THE PERFECT OPPORTUNITY FOR LOCALS TO REALLY GET INVOLVED WITH THEIR COMMUNITY

Take your little one on a journey through time and discover the secrets of Greek Mythology with Maz Evans as she finds out which audience member is actually one of the God’s Kings or Queens. The audience must tell a message to Maz using chinese whispers. Another exciting event at Aye Write! is Astronauts and Space with Dr Ken MacTaggart. Explore the earth and the moon in this fun interactive event suitable for all the family. This other-worldly event explores the lives of space travellers and their collected stories. And finally another event that cant be missed, for all the budding wizards and witches out there, the Harry Potter Magic event is a must! Get dressed up in your Harry Potter attire and experience a day in potions class as you learn how to make weird and wonderful spells using wacky ingredients in the old library.

The Top Secret Grandad And Me: Death By Tumble Dryer With David Macphail is another exciting event to look forward to. Jay Patel has a secret friend, his ghost grandad who is terrible at being a ghost and spooking people. A crime happens and Jay and his Grandad must find a way to solve the mystery. Can they do it? Another fun and creative event for children over 10 to get involved with is Make, Copy, Share! Zine-making with Lauren Davis. This looks at the art of writing fictional stories based on any subject, copying and sharing them to make a magazine from a single piece of paper.

Why not bring your friends and family along to one of the events and take part in some of the activities for yourself. Not only does this book festival showcase an array of wonderful writing talent and provide opportunities for writer’s to grow a fan base but it’s the perfect opportunity for locals to really get involved with their community and engage in a number of educational activities.

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150 MACKINTOSH

150 ‘IN ARCHITECTURE, ORIGINALITY IS A CRIME’ MARGARET MCDONALD

You might have heard, 2018 is the year of Mackintosh! Kelvingrove Art Galley and Museum is celebrating Charles Rennie Mackintosh’s works, life and legacy in this the year of the 150th anniversary of his birth with a unique and crucial exhibition, opening in March.

Born 1868 to Glasgow’s Townhead, Mackintosh studied at Glasgow School of Art before joining architects Honeyman and Keppie – neatly enough, his design for the main building at the school, created while working there as a junior draughtsman, is now regarded as his greatest accomplishment. Generally regarded as one of the most influential creative figures of the 20th Century, a leading figure in Scottish Arts and Crafts and a significant force in the Art Nouveau movement, he is one artist who has, posthumously, perhaps been a victim of his own success.

Forget the dish towels and tea cosies brandishing the torn from context reproductions of his famous stained glass that have perhaps clouded his image and get down to Kelvingrove to experience the maverick’s work first hand.

Many of the objects will be on public display in Glasgow for the first time in 30 years so you’re in for a treat.

As well as the major Kelvingrove exhibition you can look forward to a programme of events at locations around Glasgow and beyond, designed to appeal to both those who know nothing about Mackintosh as well as those more familiar with his life and work. To list a few... The Lighthouse and at Mackintosh Queen’s Cross, the soon to be re-opened Mackintosh at the Willow and Miss Cranston’s Tea Rooms in Sauchiehall Street, The Glasgow School of Art, The Hunterian at the University of Glasgow, House for An Art Lover and the new V&A Dundee will also host dedicated programmes..

Keep an eye out for future editions of TSA where we’ll have more on the plans for the year as they are announced and don’t forget to bookmark the festival website glasgowmackintosh.com/festival

FUN FACT 1 :

Although designed in the 19th Century, Mackintosh’s iconic chairs have appeared in futuristic blockbusters including Blade Runner, Dr Who and Inception.

FUN FACT 2:

Louis Vuitton used replicas of the distinctive highback chairs to seat guests at his 2016 Paris Fashion Week show.

on his new book, Anna Undreaming forever. One day I asked her if I could share those stories and try to write a book, and she told me I could, and I should. So I did.

Okay first off tell me about yourself?

I’m a fantasy and short story author from Glasgow.

I’ve got a few stories in print, have won a few awards and have written for some video games too. My first novel is Anna Undreaming and it comes out on M arch 20th. It’s the first part of the Metiks Fade trilogy, and since it’s been announced, everything has been a bit crazy. In a good way!

Why do you want to write?

I’ve always wanted to write, but for a long time I put it off. My teachers in school knew I was keen and encouraged me a lot, but I was a bit too lazy. Finally, I decided a few years ago that if I didn’t write a book now, I might never do it. So I better get started!

What made you pick a dark urban fantasy as your first book?

The blurb says, “Anna is a student surviving the city”, and that’s how it can feel sometimes. Just surviving in a busy city is an adventure in itself. In Anna Undreaming the city is a character, sometimes full of wonder, but always dangerous too. And I consciously chose to never name that city. My hope is that each reader feels like it’s based in their own home town. I don’t know if I succeeded or not, but I guess I’ll find out on March 20th!

When is the book coming out?

March 20th! You can pre-order on Amazon now.

Did you find it difficult to incorporate magic into a more real world setting, and did you take inspiration from anywhere?

I took inspiration from everywhere! The great thing about Metiks Fade is that it’s about reality being warped and reshaped by art. In Anna Undreaming, the Dreamers can paint, dance, sew or sing new realities, so I have a chance to write about monsters and demons, cyborgs and old, forgotten Gods and any other crazy thing I can imagine.

I thought the dedication was particularly sweet, if you don’t mind talking about it could you share the story behind it?

Oh thank you! A few years ago I wrote a story for my wife as a Christmas gift. I got it printed and bound, and it was about fifty pages. After those fifty pages were done, there was still more story to tell. She loved it so much that it encouraged me to write a little more. As I wrote chapter-after-chapter, I was so happy.

Knowing even one person was going to read it – that I had one “fan” – was enough for me to write stories

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As someone who will soon have his own published book, what advice can you give to people still trying to make it?

I met a great young writer recently called Holly, and I told her, don’t call yourself an “aspiring writer”. That was in her Twitter bio. If you are writing, you’re not “aspiring”, you’re doing it! A writer isn’t someone with a publishing deal or a best-selling series, a writer is someone who writes. If you manage to write a little each day, you’re a writer and you’re making it. All the other stuff - book deals, prizes, publication – that might come or it might not, but If you work hard and keep writing every day and keep trying to get better, you have a shot.

It’s about reality being warped and reshaped by art Did you follow any typical conventions/ blueprints for writing Anna Undreaming?

Who is your favourite and least favourite characters?

Oh, I love this question! I hope people hate Drowden as much as I do. He is a mean-spirited, petty, violent bully, and he’s the kind of antagonist we can all recognise in 2018.

For favourite, I normally say Elise in interviews like this, but I’ll try to mix it up and say Garret this time.

He’s an old, charming anachronism. He often says the wrong thing, but he laughs a lot, especially at himself.

And he’s kind. For me, heroes aren’t people who are righteous or uncompromising; they are people who are kind.

What else have you had published and where can potential readers find it?

I have links on my website to everything I have in print at CalmDownTom.com. I won the Elbow Room short story compilation 2016, so people can pick that collection up. Elbow Room are fantastic and gave me my first big break. I’m in The Leicester Writes compilation too, and I’m in the 404 Ink F Word Collection. 404 Ink are the most exciting publisher in Scotland by miles, and I love their commitment to diversity. I’ve written for some major video games coming out this year too, but for the moment I’m NDA’d so can’t talk about them.

Not really! I had fun seeing where the story took me. Afterwards, a lot of rewriting helped give the story a better shape and structure. I’m currently writing a dark fantasy novel called “Hope is Coming to Eat Your Heart” where I’m trying to adopt a more structured approach, planning everything out before I write. I won’t know if that’s better or not, but I guess I’ll find out soon!

Do you have any social media that fans can follow you on And if so please provide links?

How long did it take you to write?

And lastly, a little fun. In a tweet length (280 characters) pitch sell me and the readers your book?

Two years, but in that time I wrote most of book 2 of Metiks Fade, and also wrote some short stories and wrote for some video games too.

Was there any part of it you were/are unsure about?

Good question! I guess I was unsure about the sections with Peter. He is an important character, but he goes through terrible trauma in the story. Most of the book follows Anna, so it’s quite a contrast when focus switches to him. I was really unsure whether those sections “fit” as they dip into sci-fi and body horror, but my editor absolutely loved them! That gave me the affirmation I needed to stick with his story.

Following on from that would you change any part of it if you could?

Hmm, I am not sure. I guess if I felt very strongly about anything, even at this late stage I could still make changes. I am sure I’ll see things I want to fix after it’s been released!

https://twitter.com/calmdowntom https://www.instagram.com/CalmDownTom_com/ https://www.facebook.com/CalmDownTomPage/ https://www.goodreads.com/author/ show/17087031.Thomas_Welsh

When Anna learns that she’s an Undreamer with powers she cannot yet comprehend, she realizes that there’s as much beauty in life as there is darkness. As she explores one impossible reality after another, Anna must face her past trauma to save her old world as well as her new one.

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A showcase of 20th century art in vintage textiles and fashion garments Highlights include prints of work by Picasso, Warhol, Matisse, Dalí & more

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GLASGOW FILM FESTIVAL 2018 It’s that time of year again! For film enthusiasts everywhere the Glasgow Film Festival 2018 is back and not to be missed. Kicking off on the 21st February and running until 4th March #GFF 2018 has some real gems in store for us; from 90s cult classic Clueless (1995), to 1981 treasure Gregory’s Girl and Stuart Rosenburg’s 1967 hit Cool Hand Luke.

As one of the biggest film events in Britain, the Glasgow Film Festival attracts audiences in excess of 40,000.

Festival Co-director Allan Hunter describes Glasgow Film Festival as having ‘something for everyone’, and indeed the 2018 programme features a broad range of films accessible to all, from family favourites to the festival’s ‘FrightFest’. In addition to this, the festival has a range of films which reflects the state of our current, chaotic times by celebrating films which are diverse, innovative that will inspire and educate.

Launching the festival on the 21st February is the UK premiere of Wes Anderson’s latest stop-motion animated feature Isle of Dogs showing at the Glasgow Film Theatre a mere 6 days after its Berlin premiere! Described as ‘witty, wise and brimming with charm’ Isle of Dogs is set in dystopian future Japan and follows the escapades of a

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quintet of canines. In typical director Wes Anderson style the film is visually stunning and features the voice talents of many of Anderson’s regular collaborators including: Edward Norton, Jeff Goldblum and Bill Murray as well as featuring Scarlett Johansson and Greta Gerwig. The Isle of Dogs premiere is one

tolerance in Sidney Poitier’s The Defiant Ones to Paul Newman, as a Christ-like (allegory) con in Cool Hand Luke. Start your day with something fun, defiant and different; come along to the Glasgow Film Festival at 10:30am and join us for some free cinema.

The theme of ‘heroes’ runs

not to be missed.

Ideal for all students is Glasgow Film Festival’s free cinema events. Each year explores a different theme from dangerous dames of film noir to 2018’s theme ‘Rebel Heroes’ featuring characters who broke the rules and fought the system, from Marlon Brando in On The Waterfront to Al Pacino’s defiance against the established order in Dog Day Afternoon.

Further seminal works in the strand include a groundbreaking plea for racial

throughout the entirety of the film festival’s 2018 programme. As well as featuring ‘Rebel Heroes’ there is a special homage played to our ‘Local Heroes’ which recognise the inventive and wonderful films made here in Britain. The programme offers a diverse range of cinematic delight, from old classics to contemporary masterpieces, some familiar and some new for everyone. Highlights include director John Cameron Mitchell’s adaption of Neil Gaiman’s class graphicIsle novel, of Dogs How

to Talk to Girls at Parties and Maggie Smith’s crème de la crème performance in The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie. Set in Edinburgh during the 1930s Maggie Smith plays the eponymous Jean Brodie and won an Academy Award for Best Actress in the role. Romantic, corrupt and unrestrained it’s a classic not to be missed.

Staying local is the ‘Ireland: The Near Shore’ strand of the festival.

Ireland’s film industry is booming with a lot of emerging new local talent at its forefront–– actors Saoirise Ronan, Barry Keoghan and directors such as Lenny Abrahamson and Martin McDonagh are claiming the world stage and are at the top of their game.

This year the Glasgow Film Festival is celebrating up and coming Irish talent at its best, featuring animated film The Breadwinner, Kissing Candice and as well as not-to-be-missed The Near Shore: A Scottish and Irish CineConcert. Accompanied by a live Irish orchestra. The Near Shore is a silent film exploration which offers varying perspectives on Scotland and Ireland.

This Irish Film Institute and Glasgow Film Festival are supported by Culture Ireland allowing Glasgow Film Festival to bring us the best of Irish acts in Britain, so definitely one to put in the calendar!

As 2018 is the ‘Year of the Young

Partys Just the Beginning

Groundhog Day

Josie Long

Mary and the Witch’s Flower

People’ the ‘Modern Families’ selection of films featured at this year’s Glasgow Film Festival are definitely ones to check out for young film enthusiasts as well as all the family. This year we celebrate the 30th anniversary of Willow. A fun-packed adventure for everyone to enjoy Willow gets even better (if possible) by being screened at Kinning Park. Get your tickets now, this one will be popular! If Willow isn’t your thing, why not check out the UK premiere of Mary and the Witch’s Flower which is the latest from iconic Studio Ghibli’s Hiromasa Yonebayashi. A tale of magic and wonder, this beautiful film is definitely one to watch, featuring the voice talents of Jim Broadbent, Kate Winslet, Hana Sugisaki and Yūki Amami the film is in Japanese with English subtitles. The ‘Modern Families’ selection on offer at Glasgow Film Festival this year is a delight through and through.

Now for everyone’s favourite instalment of the film festival: the special events. Every year Glasgow Film Festival organise an array of cinematic spectacles for our enjoyment and this year is no different, welcome to the party pal! From Die Hard in the former college of building and printing to Clueless at SWG3-there’s a cult classic in a groovy venue for everyone. Also on offer is Mike Nichol’s 80s classic Working Girl featuring stand out performances from Melanie Griffith, Sigourney Weaver, Harrison Ford and Joan Cusack, whose comic performance is so underrated. The film is worth going to see solely for her proposal of ‘Coffee, tea, me?’ to Harrison Ford as she poses as her pal Melanie Griffith’s receptionist. The choice of excellent, hilarious and fun films on offer on Glasgow Film Festivals’ special events programme is endless.

Closing this year’s Glasgow Film

Festival is the world premiere of Felipe Bustos Sierra’s Nae Pasaran. This much anticipated feature length documentary debut slots right into the overarching theme of ‘Heroes’ which permeates throughout many of the films at this year’s festival. The film tells the story of a group of workers at the Rolls Royce factory in East Kilbride who demonstrated their support to the people of Chile by refusing to perform vital inspections of engines for Hawker Hunter planes which were the planes used by the military junta against the people of Chile. The boycott lasted for four years and was an act of solidarity against a brutal dictatorship. The story of Nae Pasaran is a true story of local, Glasgow heroes and is an ideal way to close 2018’s Glasgow Film Festival.

From the adventures of five dogs on a Japanese island, to a set of mislead Edinburgh schoolgirls and a woman trying to climb the corporate ladder in

80s Manhattan, Glasgow’s Film Festival 2018 offers something for everyone.

These films will make you laugh, cry, cower in fear and force to the edge of your seat. Be sure to book grab a programme, book your tickets and join us in a gateway into another world.

Yipee-ki-yay!

- By Marie-Louise Patton

February 18 | WeAreTSA.co.uk

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FRIGHTENED RABBIT

THE MIDNIGHT ORGAN FIGHT 10TH ANIVERSARY/DANIEL SMITH In 2008, Selkirk indie rock band Frightened Rabbit released their sophmore studio album The Midnight Organ Fight; a selfdeprecating, emotive and brutally honest reflection of a break-up, told through the words of frontman Scott Hutchinson. The lyrics were emphatically direct, succinct and utterly heartwrenching, laid over a wonderful blend of frantic acoustic and electric guitars, accompanied by the exuberant drumming of Grant Hutchison. Whilst the album might vary in tempo; composing of a mix of anthemic indie pop bangers like The Modern Lepper and Keep Yourself Warm and slow, tender ballads like Poke and My Backwards Walk, it never attempts to supress the melancholy. From start to finish, the heartbreak is laid bare for all to see. It’s as immensely intense as it is cathartic.

Following its release, the album catapulted Frightened Rabbit firmly in

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to the public conscious, developing an almost cult following, particularly in Glasgow. The band has since gone on to produce three more critically acclaimed albums and toured the world over. This year however, on the 10-year anniversary of The Midnight Organ Fight’s release, the band will play a string of shows in the UK playing the album in its entirety, culminating in a show in Glasgow’s 02 Academy.

“The album holds a very special place in our hearts” explains drummer Grant Hutchison. “It was the album that really announced us to the world and showed what we’re really about. In contrast to the greys (Sing the Greys), it felt like we were writing, playing and performing with an almost freedom, the limited in what we could do. I think that’s very much reflected in Scott’s writing. It’s very much Scott’s record. It’s a break-up album; it’s essentially an almost word for word account of what happened. It’s so raw and incredibly honest and I think that’s why people love it so much”.

It’s this element of complete and

total honesty throughout the album that appears to resonate so profoundly with the fans, captivating them. “Folk really love it, especially in Glasgow” continues Grant. “It was a lot of peoples first exposure to our band and a lot of people really identify with the lyrics and what Scott’s saying. There’s this element of an almost sort of public ownership in the album, it belongs to everyone.

10 years after it’s release, The Midnight Organ Fight continues to be the fans favourite. Whilst its longevity is hardly surprising to the fans and critics, the band continued to be surprised by the album’s continued popularity.

“It’s the little fucker that won’t seem to die” laughs Grant. It becomes immediately apparent nobody in the band foresaw the popularity and cult following the release of this album would bring. When asked about the moment the band realised they were on the brink of something special, Grant recalls a particular night at The Cathouse in Glasgow. “We were

playing a show at the Cathouse funnily enough, roughly around the time the album was to be released. It was a small show consisting mainly of friends and family. Unbeknownst to us one of the lads from We Were Promised Jetpacks had leaked the album to everybody in attendance, and they were there at the show singing along to all the songs, mouthing the words. There was also this show we played at the Queens Hall that was memorable. I think it was those two shows that made us appreciate the significance of that album.

Its perfectly normal for most bands and artists to develop a small element of apathy towards their most popular works; it’d be nearly impossible not to feel this way after spending months on tour constantly subjected to never-ending requests for all the greatest hits. But is The Midnight Organ Fight immune to this? Since the album was released, Frightened Rabbit have released three further studio albums, with both Pedestrian Verse and Painting of a Panic Attack

LOOKING BACK AT THE MIDNIGHT ORGAN FIGHT

performing considerably better in the charts, immersing the band into the mainstream. However, The Midnight Organ Fight’s popularity never wanes.

“It’s the one a lot of people keep going back to” chimes Grant. “I think because it was a lot of people’s first introduction to our band and it’s the one people gravitate to more. It has this raw energy and honesty and I thinks that’s why everyone keeps going back to it” I ask Grant whether he thinks the album receives an almost unfair and disproportionate amount of attention compared to their other efforts. “It’s a tricky one” he replies. “The fact people enjoy and relate to that album so much, and we can share that with them, is a really wonderful thing. It’s as much their album as it is ours. It’s only really in Scotland, and particular Glasgow, where this album receives so much attention.

When we play anywhere else, it’s a very varied setlist, but in Scotland, people are always going to want songs off that album. I don’t think we’ll ever tire of it playing it though. It’s an incredibly

important record to us all, especially Scott. We put this tour together for the fans, and if it’s still popular in another 10 years, we’ll play it again”.

But what can fans expect from the show, other than hearing The Midnight Organ Fight in its entirety. “It’s going to be a show of two halves; obviously playing the album in its entirety for the first half, then we’ve got a nice collection of songs lined up for the second. It’s going to be really special playing in Glasgow again, looking forward to it”.

Aside from touring, drummer Grant has also been involved in a collaboration with designers Trakke fashioning a new drumstick case. “It was really fun to be a part of that process” says Grant.

“I designed it after my previous cases were always knackered touring, with drumsticks falling out the bottom. I got in touch with the designers as a fan of their work and this was the outcome”.

Glasgow City 0141 954 1000 Paisley 0141 887 3000

www.practical.co.uk

Interview by Daniel Smith February 18 | WeAreTSA.co.uk

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Students from the University Of Strathclyde’s Photo Club will be hosting a photo exhibition of their latest work in Strathclyde Students’ Union between Friday January 19 and Thursday March 1.

The exhibition will display stunning photos from their members, which covers their recent club trips around the hustle and bustle of Glasgow and Edinburgh, as well as the rich scenery of the Scottish Highlands.

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(Sparks fly, Glasgow, Scotland, by Lewis McCulloch)

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(Hoy Hills, Orkney, Scotland, by William Johnston)

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(Edinburrr, Edinburgh, Scotland,

by Millie Rodgers)

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(Mist, Orkney, Scotland, by William Johnston)

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(Staggering Beauty, Glen Etive, Scotland,

by Cameron Swanson)

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February 18 | WeAreTSA.co.uk

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