Jonathan Demme / Stop Making Sense / David Byrne GIF

I didn't know too much about Jonathan Demme, who died yesterday, other than that he directed The Silence of The Lambs and Stop Making Sense. Even if he did nothing else, that's a hell of a CV.

I remember first reading that Stop Making Sense was 'the greatest concert film ever made' in Q Magazine when I got into music as a teenager but I never watched it. It floated in my periphery for years before I finally bought the DVD in Fopp for a fiver.

A decade of hearing that something is unequivocally the best had me ready for disappointment but I was sold before Psycho Killer (the first song) was over. Stop Making Sense is the best. If you've never seen it, you should. Look, here it is here:

Seeing clips from SMS all over Twitter put me in the mood to sit down and watch the whole thing. I had my iPad to hand at the time and I started doodling David Byrne dancing in his big suit. The doodle became a couple of poses which became an animated gif (above).

I also added some music and put it on my Instagram. He dances in time! That was a lucky accident.

Pictish Trail Edinburgh Gig Poster

Pictish Trail is playing at the Caves in Edinburgh in April. I designed the poster.

If you didn't grow up in the UK, you might miss that there's a Beano parody thing going on. The Beano is a children's comic that launched in the 1930s. I subscribed to it when I was younger and the art style of the period (late 80s - early 90s) forever has a place in my heart, despite it being kinda ugly.

I've been looking through a few issues from my childhood recently. Hunting down No. 2540 from 1991 specifically, which featured a modern re-style of Dennis the Menace (which, luckily, was a publicity stunt - I was furious about it at the time). When Johnny asked me to put together a poster, I guess cool-dude Dennis was fresh enough in my mind that I figured I'd try to make a Beano cover of my own.

Time was pretty tight so I had to sacrifice authenticity to get a serviceable poster together. Given another day or two, I would've tried to get all the line weights, colouring, lettering etc. bang-on. Ach well, it's nice and bold at least.

I drew the illustration of Johnny using Procreate on my iPad. I mixed my Beano time periods a little and gave him the paper-white skin of the early-80s. My inner 8-year-old isn't impressed but it makes for a stronger poster.

You can buy tickets for the gig over on the Lost Map web shop and you can find out more information / register your interest over on the Facebook event page.

Christmas Tombola 004: After Life by Pictish Trail

This December, I’m sharing 31 things that I like. This is number 04.

While I’m on the subject, Johnny’s new video for “After Life” is an absolute banger and gets a spot in my Christmas Tombola (which I got 3 days into before neglecting).

The 3rd single from his phenomenal Future Echoes album (seriously, buy it, it’s the best thing he’s ever done), “After Life” was recently playlisted by BBC 6 Music and it comes on fairly regularly while I’m working. Hearing your pals on the radio is cool as hell. That bass, man.

For the video, Hankin Films went appropriately nuts. Johnny can be silly on-camera in a really unselfconscious way that’s fun to watch. He reminds me of Adam Buxton in that respect. Loads of great wee moments - finger-guns in time to the handclaps at 1:54 is my fav bit.

Christmas Tombola 001: Smell the Audi

This December, I’m sharing 31 things that I like. This is number 01.

Glasgow's MC Almond Milk (aka my pal Jamie, aka James Scott) & Jay Rolex (aka Jamie's pal Jay who I've met a couple of times and is very nice) released their first album, Smell the Audi, a couple of weeks ago and it's a belter. Listen to / buy it.

I first saw Jamie (aka James Scott / MC Almond Milk) supporting his big brother, Jonnie Common, in 2011 whilst performing as The Japanese War Effort (aka Martin Moog), a side project alongside his day-job as one half of Conquering Animal Sound. Like Jonnie, Jamie (aka James / MC Almond Milk / The Japanese War Effort / Martin Moog / one half of Conquering Animal Sound) has a gift for converting spectators into die-hard fans. Catch him live if you get the chance.

More recently, the Jonnie and Jamie (aka James / MC Almond Milk / The Japanese War Effort / Martin Moog / one half of Conquering Animal Sound) collab, CARBS, let Jamie (aka James / MC Almond Milk / The Japanese War Effort / Martin Moog / one half of Conquering Animal Sound / one half of CARBS) stretch his MC-ing legs. Their album, Joyous Material Failure, was one of 2015’s goodies. With Smell the Audi, Jamie (aka James / MC Almond Milk / The Japanese War Effort / Martin Moog / one half of Conquering Animal Sound / one half of CARBS) is off to MC-Donalds, declaring himself Scotland’s Best Rapper*.

Glaswegian hip-hop is a funny one, in that it’s not funny. The scene's proclivity to social commentary is great but has an earnestness that I can’t really stomach. Alex and I once caught a performance by an act so toe-curling that we’re still not over it.

Scotland ya bass

None of that from MC Almond Milk (aka James / Jamie / The Japanese War Effort / Martin Moog / one half of Conquering Animal Sound / one half of CARBS) and Jay Rolex, though. The boys understand how not to be a pure embarrassment and Smell the Audi is one of the best albums of the year.

A music video for “Studz Up” is imminent. I’ll share that too. How great is that album teaser at the top of the page? Both directed by Ciaran Lyons (who’s also nice).

* also Scotland’s Worst Rapper

Jonnie Common - Kitchen Sync

Jonnie Common has made an album using only sounds from his kitchen! It’s called Kitchen Sync and is available for preorder on Song, By Toad Records as a digital download and as a set of limited edition fridge magnets(!). This blog post has more info.

I've worked with Jonnie on a few things now and he's asked me back to draw some bits and pieces for Kitchen Sync. My work features in Jonnie's promo video (above) but I've also dotted some of my favourites around here as animated gifs.

Because I didn't have much time to spare, these are all first-try little drawings of the different 'instruments'. Some are pretty wonky (bottles, I'm looking at you), but I'm happy with how they turned out.

Once I'd scanned everything, I added a little animation using Photoshop. Again, there's some perspective dodginess going on here and there but I'll hold on tight to my 'don't blame me, I'm not really an animator' excuse forever.

To launch Kitchen Sync, Jonnie is playing a couple of live shows in Glasgow and Edinburgh in early April. I’m 100% positive that they’ll be amazing. Jonnie says he’s gonna go into the process of making the record as well as performing some of the tracks live.

I've had a preview copy of Kitchen Sync for a while now. It's beautiful - all instrumental and ambient and intriguing. It's also got some of the best song titles going: Harder, Faster, Washer, Dryer?.. C'mon! That's textbook JC.

Big thanks to Jonnie for having me on board. Go buy the record.

Carbs

Carbs, AKA Jonnie Common and Jamie Scott, released their debut album Joyous Material Failure yesterday. It comes in a pizza box and it's very good. Here's a review to prove it.

Going by other articles, I'm now meant to say something about Scottish hip-hop and how crazy a prospect that might (or might not) be but och, you're a smart cookie. I'm sure you can figure it out for yourself. The video for Life Drawing is a good starter:

The official album launch is tonight (Saturday 12th September) at the Glad Cafe in Shawlands. I wholeheartedly recommend you come along. J&J are fantastic live and the Glad is a brilliant venue. Don't be scared of the Southside. It's, what, 5 minutes on the train from Central? C'mon.

Support comes from PHOENE and Sham Gate who are new to me. DJ Miaoux Miaoux is playing tunes too. He's old to me. Christ, he's old.

If this appeals, you should follow @carbsinjection on Twitter, check out the Save As Collective and commit to coming to the gig tonight on the Facebook event page. Here's Jonnie's new video for Stick a Flake in Me (I’m Done) as a prize for getting to the end.

Oh, and here's a couple of big versions of my drawing: Jonnie on top / Jamie on top.

Jonnie Common - Binary 101

Jonnie Common's new video for Binary 101 is a belter. Available on Trapped in Amber.

Vote Rozi!

'Actually' by Rozi Plain. LOST MAP RECORDS www.lostmap.com Taken from the forthcoming album, FRIEND.

Rozi Plain's brilliant new single Actually is part of this week's BBC Radio 6 Music Rebel Playlist. The track with the most votes at the end of the week secures a regular airplay on the station.

As part of team Lost Map, I'd appreciate it if you could vote for Rozi. We're a small, truly independent record label (we fit round a small pub table) and radio play really does wonders for the artists and for everyone working hard behind the scenes.

Here's the link. No registration or nothin' else needed, just a click: BBC 6 Music Rebel Playlist - Vote Now

Thanks!

Aphex Twin - (un)Selected Ambient Works

Since releasing Syro in September, Richard D. James can't stop battering out music.

First there was the Syrobonkers interview (gear talk, lies and conspiracy theories interspersed with tons of unreleased music that vanished after a few days), then the Computer Controlled Acoustic Instruments pt. 2 E.P. and now a cavalcade of new (old) tracks on an anonymous SoundCloud page.

In the last 24 hours, user48736353001 has uploaded 81 tracks that seem to be from Aphex Twin's Selected Ambient Works / I Care Because You Do / Richard D. James Album era (my fav). Wait, now there's 83. Considering RDJ came out in '96, there might be another 19 years worth of stuff to come.

I'm not even an Aphex Twin superfan but dang, I'm going to grab what I can before he inevitably deletes it all. It's kinda daunting (and it might not even be him, though he did accidentally upload something from 26 Remixes for Cash then commented 'oh yeah forgot i released that one'), but what I've heard so far sounds great.

If you don't know much of Aphex Twin beyond Windowlicker, I strongly, strongly, strongly recommend you try giving Selected Ambient Works 85-92 a go (that link'll let you listen to the whole thing on YouTube). It's his first album, it's beautiful and it's a great place to start - one of the few no-brainers when I try to list my top 10 albums. Xtal, the opening track still gives me butterflies and I must've heard it a thousand times.

Oh, 84 now.

Jonnie Common Album Launch at The Glad Cafe

This is a call to everyone who'll be in (or who can be in) Glasgow on Saturday the 15th of November. Come to The Glad Cafe here on the Southside to see the always-fantastic Jonnie Common launch his new record Trapped in Amber.

If you've never seen Jonnie live before, you're in for a treat. He's been the highlight of every line-up I've seen him on. Don't miss it.

I'll be providing animated visuals for the gig, support comes from WOLF (aka Kim Moore, formerly of the excellent Zoey Van Goey) and Ross Sutherland who I've never seen live before so I'm excited to see what he's about. My new skate-mate Miaoux Miaoux will also be DJing, all-vinyl style.

The Glad Cafe is a great venue and worth a visit in its own right. Come early and grab a drink (or earlier still and have some food) to make a night of it. Say hello!

Tickets are available via The Glad Cafe and you can find out more and let the world know your intentions via the Jonnie Common Album Launch! Facebook page.

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DETAILS!

Jonnie Common Album Launch! Presented by Save As Collective
With WOLF + Ross Sutherland & Miaoux Miaoux DJ set

Opening: Saturday 15th November 2014 from 7.30pm
The Glad Cafe, 1006a Pollokshaws Road, Shawlands, G41 2HG

Tickets: £6 adv from The Glad Cafe (£7 on the door)
RSVP: via Facebook (if you want)

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If you're coming from the town and are unfamiliar with the Southside, grab a train from Central to Crossmyloof (takes like 4 minutes and is a £2 return) and take the short walk up Minard Road when you get there. Alternatively, grab a bus or a taxi (which won't cost much either). Gimmie a shout if you need help / a friend.

Jonnie is also playing gigs in Aberdeen on Thursday the 13th and Edinburgh on Friday 14th. His album, Trapped in Amber is available from Song, by Toad Records.

Jonnie Common - Crumbs

This is the first of what'll be a few posts over the next month or so about to my friend and longtime collaborator, the bold Jonnie Common.

Jonnie has a new album, Trapped in Amber, coming out in November. I'll go into that properly later. For now we've got a single: Crumbs.

Crumbs is Jonnie at his best - a funny, inventive, reflective and playful piece of music that sounds bloody awesome. You can listen to it over here or on the player below.

The second single from the new Jonnie Common album 'Trapped in Amber' which is out on Halloween 2014 on Song, by Toad Records - vinyl and CD.

I'm super proud to be on artwork duties for all the Trapped in Amber releases and related materials (*cough* animation *cough*). It's been a blast working on this stuff over the past wee while and I'm looking forward to seeing it out there in the real world. Stay tuned for more information as we get closer to the launch. If you're convinced already, you can pre-order Trapped in Amber today.

You can find Jonnie on Song, by Toad Records, on Twitter as @jonniecommon and on his personal Bandcamp page. He'll also be playing shows around the country to promote the record and you'll hopefully catch a tune or two on the radio. Any shares, spins and tickets bought are much appreciated.

(also, apologies if my website is being flakey - I'm in the process of redesigning it)

Kid Canaveral's Christmas Baubles IV

Hello December!

Kid Canaveral's Christmas Baubles returns to Edinburgh for the fourth time, bigger and better than ever. The event at Portobello Town Hall on the 14th has already sold out. With artists like The Pictish Trail, Rozi Plain and Edwyn Collins (bloody hell!) on the bill, it's no wonder. More info over at Lost Map.

I'm chuffed to have been asked to design this year's poster (I also did the first one). It's a simple affair that came together really quickly. Kinda works upside down too.

Putting Edwyn's name on a piece of work felt pretty good.

Monoganon's FAMILY Gathering at CCA, Glasgow

Tomorrow (Sat 9th November), Lost Map's own Monoganon will play at the CCA here in Glasgow to celebrate the launch of their brilliant album F A M I L Y. I'm very much looking forward to this.

Support comes from Eugene Tombs and my good friend The Pictish Trail. You can buy tickets from the Lost Map Ticket Shop (only £6 adv!). As you'd expect, there's a Facebook event with more info.

Don't know Monoganon? Here's a wee introduction:

Say hello if you can make it along. I'm pretty deaf so, if it's noisy, please forgive any inappropriate nods or headshakes when I play guess-a-response.

The above poster was battered together by myself using a photograph by Sebastien Marciak.

Lost Map

Last week, my good friend Johnny (aka The Pictish Trail) announced that he is finishing up things with Fence Records, a label he has headed alongside King Creosote for many years, and is starting a new project with many of the artists involved. Today he launched Lost Map, a record label from Eigg.

To fans of Fence Records and the Scottish music scene, this is big news. It's big news to me too, having worked on a whole bunch of different odds & ends for Fence over the past wee while. Posters, album artwork, music videos and, um, Hott Loggz have all put food on my table (at least a couple of Mars Bars-worth).

More than that, I've been a fan. A big fan. Not as big a fan as some (there are some giant fans out there), but a good fan. An honest fan. A hairy fan. I bought my first Fence 'record' in 2000, Fence Sampler #03, from Avalanche in Edinburgh. It's still one of my favourites. That CD got me through college. From there, I bought albums, read zines, attended dozens of gigs (+5 Homegames), made friends and, eventually, got on the books. Fence has been a part of my life for 13 years and has influenced my work, my taste in music and helped me pass my driving test.

The what-the-hell-is-even-going-on events of the last few days have unsurprisingly caused much (mostly positive, I'm happy to say) a-twittering and a-beefering (?), but I don't wanna talk about that. I'm sad to see the end of this iteration of Fence, but I look forward to seeing whatever direction Kenny Creosote steers it in next. I also look forward to seeing where Lost Map goes too (hopefully to the Bahamas) because, if Johnny's involved, it'll be bloody good. You can like 'em both, y'know, that's ok.

So aye, Lost Map. I'm involved in a pretty major way. I could probably give myself a proper title but I can't handle the pressure / scrutiny, so I'll go with Chief of Winging It. I'll be working closely with Johnny on all the visual stuff - doing a fair amount of it myself and hopefully also getting some other artists involved where I can. We do have an art-direction direction, but fully intend to stay loose and playful as we go. The last thing we want is something cold and clinical so please forgive the wonkiness.

What you see on lostmap.com right now is our starting point. The above animation is hidden behind the main banner and will play when you click. It was made incredibly quickly and features a wee snippet of music from the upcoming Monoganon album, F A M I L Y, which is set to be the first full-length Lost Map release. It's brilliant, by the way. Incidentally, John B. Monoganon (MonogaJohn?) is good value on Vine.

From here on out, things'll get colourful.

Visit the site to download a free sampler, featuring music by Monoganon, Rozi Plain, The Pictish Trail, Kid Canaveral, eagleowl, Seamus Fogarty and Randolph's Leap. You can also follow @lostmaprecords on Twitter and like Lost Map on Facebook.

Stay tuned x

Pete Drake - Forever

Pete Drake (and his talking steel guitar) - Forever. The loveliest thing I've seen / heard all week. Also the creepiest.

(via Worship Friendship)