Tag Archives: scotland

KEVIN MCKIDD & CELEB FRIENDS RELEASE CHARITY FOLK ALBUM

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Scots Grey’s Anatomy actor, Kevin McKidd is to release ‘The Speyside Sessions’, a charity album of folk music this Friday (15th June) with help from friends Bryan Tolland (Del Amitri) and producer/composers, Nick Lloyd-Webber and James D Reid.

The album, which consists of 14 traditional folk songs, also features performances from Paul Anderson, one of the finest Scots fiddlers of his generation, as well as Bryan Tolland and a wealth of Scottish vocal and musical talent. The album was recorded during an intense week at Hogmanay in a house in Moray, on the banks of the River Spey. Kevin recruited an army of local musicians, as well as friend Angus Robertson MP and Scots guitarist, John McCallum. Iain Robertson, McKidd’s Small Faces co-star has also acted as photographer and promoter in between rehearsals for his one man show ‘Angels’ at the Traverse theatre during the Edinburgh Fringe.

The proceeds of the album will go to charity Save the Children, which Kevin regularly fundraises for. Last year he took part in a sponsored fast-a-thon, as well as completing the Tough Mudder challenge – a royal marine styled obstacle course.

Actor Ewan McGregor voiced a short teaser video for the album – http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yMr0geZZlJQ&feature=plcp

He has lent his support for the venture saying: “I’ve heard it and it’s really special. A great talented bunch of musicians playing Scottish tunes. Kevin has pulled off something great”.

Kevin, who originally hails from Elgin, has recorded the album to pay tribute to his grandfather, who often sang traditional Scots songs to him as child but says “the most important thing is that it’s all for Save the Children”. He added “What’s great about Scottish folk music is that it’s a niche market, but hopefully I’ll be able to get people listening to this that wouldn’t normally”.

The Speyside Sessions are described as ‘a love letter to Scotland’ and is a mixture of traditional ballads, reels and more rousing crowd pleasers. Fans of Grey’s Anatomy heard Kevin’s vocal talents last year, including Snow Patrol’s Chasing Cars, on a special musical episode of the series.

Kevin did guitar and vocals on most of the tracks on the album and when asked about his favourite tracks, said: I love them all but I feel most proud of ‘These are my Mountains’ and ‘The Muckin’ o’ Geordie’s Byre. On ‘Muckin.. I feel proud because just to get through the song without bursting out laughing is an achievement. It is a very funny song to perform.”

Douglas Hamilton, Save the Children’s Head of Scotland said:

“The album sounds totally unique and we’re honoured that Kevin has chosen to do this for Save the Children. What’s fantastic is that it was entirely Kevin’s own idea and we know that it hasn’t been easy to organise. It’s not just the album but everything else he’s done over the past few years for the charity, raising huge amounts of money, as well as our profile – and it’s brilliant to have him here in Scotland”.

The Speyside Sessions will be touring this summer, for more information, please see – http://thespeysidesessions.com
Amazon MP3 Store –

iTunes Store – : http://itunes.apple.com/gb/album/id527614034?uo=4

Your Relationship After Children?

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YOUR RELATIONSHIP AFTER CHILDREN?

· Research lifts the lid (and duvet) on the effect having kids has on British couples

Research released by parenting website, yano.co.uk reveals what goes on with British couples’ lives ‘after children’. The survey asked questions about the changing relationships, rows, sex and attraction between couples and provided insights into a subject that mums and dads normally ‘keep mum’ about.

When it comes to spending time together, one in ten parents make room for a weekly ‘Date Night’ but nearly half (46%) only get to spend one kid-free night a month together, with 3% only able to get alone time once a YEAR.

Perhaps as a result, 63% of parents say their sex life has deteriorated since having children. 41% had sex every other day before kids – this goes down to just 10% having sex every other day after having children. 28% have sex only once a month post-children, 5% once a year and 7% revealed they now NEVER have sex! This is perhaps unsurprising when you hear 37% of parents questioned admitted that they are less attracted to their partner after having children – a feeling that is more common for women (42%).

More than a third of parents questioned say they argue more with their partner since having children, with 6% having separated from their partner before their child was born. The most common rows for all parents revolve around parenting style (61%), financial pressures (53%) and who should be doing the chores (41%).

There are also some clear differences between men and women’s viewpoints. Women feel, more so than men, that their partner needs to take more responsibility helping with their child or children. Women are also more likely to complain to their spouse about chores and sex, whilst men are more likely to argue with their partners about parenting styles.

Patrick Wanis PhD, Celebrity Life Coach and Relationship Therapist says that much of the tension between modern parents stems from one major problem; we are effectively sacrificing the relationship for the sake of the children, doing the wrong thing for the right reasons. Wanis says that, although it sounds counter-intuitive, the best thing parents can do for their children are to put their marriage first. ‘That means regular date nights, still sharing hopes and dreams, still wanting the best for each other, still taking time to enjoy each other’s company as adults and friends. Children thrive in a household of open love and affection between the parents. But when parents neglect each other, the children eventually suffer as the marriage falls apart.’

TV psychologist Jo Hemmings says ‘When you make that transition from lover to mother or father, everything changes. The way society views you to your priorities to the amount of freedom you have. Many new parents report that while they have gained a huge amount in terms of love and fulfilment, a part of them still feels lost, and is wondering where the ‘real’ them is buried underneath the bustle and juggling of parenthood.’

The survey also revealed some regional stats from across the UK. Northern Irish are more keen under the covers after the birth of a child, with over half of them confessing to having sex once a week, compared to just a quarter of couples in London. Scots are also keen to rekindle their love lives after having children, with almost a quarter of couples (22%) admitting they have sex every other day. Geordies top the poll when confessing they feel less attraction to their partners after the birth of a child, with over three-quarters of couples admitting they felt this way. But love is blind in Scotland, with only 25% of Scots feeling less attracted to their partners after a child’s birth.

Ann-Marie McKimm, founder of Yano and mother of two, says, “It was great to get such honest views from our respondents as these issues are not often discussed. Following the sad news about the split of Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes this week, it is interesting to note that tension over how to raise a child comes out as the top reason for arguments in relationships and is clearly an issue that affects many couples. Given this result and the differences revealed in men and women’s views, I feel that it is important to open up discussions on these problems”.

Yano encourages fresh thinking on parenting, incorporating enlightening food for thought; informative discussions; regular news stories; a digest of interesting parenting stories from across the globe; Q and A discussion panels and advice and comment from leading experts in their chosen fields.

Visit Yano for further information and a full article on ‘Will Your Relationship Survive Children.’

Tartan Twist Jewellery | Cool Things

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Nothing signifies hazy, lazy summer days more than brightly coloured flowers and dazzling
butterflies. For summer 2012 Tartan Twist, the award-winning Scottish jewellery brand, is
launching a range of vibrant dichroic glass butterfly and flower pendants on tartan ribbons. I think they make beautiful jewellery.

Jazzy, funky and lots of fun, the pendants are made by fusing gold and silver oxides within layers of
glass to give a plaid effect. With a luminous finish, the pendants have psychedelic overtones and great
depth of colour. The colours in the glass shift depending on the angle at which they are viewed. No
two pieces are exactly the same.

The Butterfly and Flower pendants come in five colours on extra-long tartan ribbons. The pendants are
also available on plain black satin ribbons. Tartan Twist jewellery is designed and made in Scotland and
each piece comes beautifully packaged in a hot pink ribbon-tied box with a card giving its provenance.

Gillian Crawford of Tartan Twist says: “Our Butterfly and Flower pendants are the perfect summer accessories. Wear them with a colour block dress or pastels jeans to give an edge to a summer outfit. They are ideal for festival goers – just add micro shorts, wellies, tee-shirt and a Stetson”

Is Xenophobia Ever Okay?

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On Friday (15/07/2012) I was reading the Evening Standard, I always read the Evening Standard. It’s London’s paper. I also read Sebastian Shakespeare’s column. He seemed smart and witty but what I read on Friday shocked me, not only because of its ignorance but also because of its xenophobia. It was pretty close, if not on the button, of inciting racial (xenophobic, whatever you want to call it) hatred. This is what Sebastian said in his column:

Now we have to cough up to send Scots to Oxford

This may turn out to be the last straw for the Barnett formula. Oxford University is offering up to £22,000 to Scottish students to encourage more applications. Given that Scots pay no fees at Scottish universities, they are unlikely to apply to an English university where fees are £9,000 a year, so the logic goes — hence the need for a subsidy to lure them south.

Excuse me, but why can’t Oxford spend its money subsidising impoverished English students rather than impecunious Scots, who already benefit from a free education? The Scots rely on a huge subsidy from the English taxpayer (the gap in public spending between Scotland and England has risen to a record £1,600 per person a year), which goes toward financing their education system. Now we’re being asked to cough up all over again so they can educate their offspring south of the border. And there was I thinking the whole point of our subsidy was to keep the Scots in Scotland.

I have highlighted the comment ‘keep the Scots in Scotland.’. This is particularly offensive. If you replace the word ‘Scots’ with anything else (Jew, African, etc) you realise just how wrong it is on every level. How the hell did that get past the Evening Standard’s editors?

I am Scottish although I also have English, Lithuanian and Italian blood. I grew up in Scotland and I also paid for my own college education. So did my friends. I didn’t go to University but if I had wanted to I would not have been able to afford to do so.

You have to ask yourself if Scotland really is a socialist paradise why there are so many poor people there who cannot afford to educate themselves out of their situation.

It is also one thing to go to University, but a complete other to go to Oxford.

As for Oxford University: congratulations. What a wonderful and stunning thing to do. I feel they believe in a truly United Kingdom and don’t judge people just because they were born North of the border. Let’s hope other people follow their example.

Let’s Claim Back The Union Jack.

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The BNP can be blamed for a lot of things, but the main reason I hate them is what they have done to the Union Jack flag {or the Union Flag). Some people now see the Union Jack as racist, it’s not. It is the most inclusive flag you can think of. It is the flag of the United Kingdom; It has the St Andrews Cross (Scotland), St George Cross (England) and St Patrick’s Cross (Ireland). Wales was not a Kingdom but a Principality so it could not be included on the flag. which is made up like this:

  • The red St. George’s Cross width is 1⁄5 of the flag’s height with a 1⁄15 flag height fimbriation
  • The white diagonal St. Andrew’s Cross width is 1⁄15 of the flag’s height and the broader white diagonal’s width is 1⁄10 of the flag’s height
  • The red diagonal St. Patrick’s Cross width is 1⁄15 of the flag’s height and the narrow white diagonal’s width is 1⁄30 of the flag’s height

As all of the bunting went up in London I had an Irish friend ask if I found it offensive. Offensive? Why would I? “It’s racist”, she said, “to us”. By ‘us’ she meant that I am Scottish and she is Irish. To be honest it was her question I found offensive. I may be Scottish, but I am also British and I have lived in London for over five years. My flag is in the Union Jack and no-one, not a racist and certainly no one ignorant will ever take it away from me. I am proud to be British and I love my flag. Both of them.

We Are Scientists announce UK tour | Music News

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We Are Scientists have announced that they’ll be bringing their extremely entertaining live show back to UK shores following a 2 year break from playing here. The band are currently in the studio putting the finishing touches to their 4th, as yet untitled, album but are heading to the UK in July/August for a full tour as well as some festival appearances, the details of which are below.

 

 

UK Tour:

23/07 – Bristol – Thekla (www.alt-tickets.co.uk)
25/07 – London – The Garage (http://venues.meanfiddler.com/the-garage/home)
26/07 – Portsmouth – Wedgewood Rooms (www.gigsandtours.com)
27/07 – York – Duchess (http://theduchessyork.co.uk/whats-on/detail/978)
30/07 – Norwich – Arts Centre (http://norwichartscentre.co.uk/category/events/month/)
31/07 – Manchester – Deaf Institute (www.gigsandtours.com)
01/08 – Glasgow – King Tuts (www.gigsinscotland.com)

Festival Dates:

22/07 – Sheffield – Tramlines
29/07 – Cumbria – Kendal Calling
03/08 – Scotland – Belladrum
04/08 – Stockton – Weekender
05/08 – Derbyshire – Y Not Festival

Tickets for the tour dates go on sale at 9am on Wednesday 16th May.

 

Links:

We Are Scientists Facebook page

Official Website

Twitter

The Xcerts – Scatterbrain | Music Review

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I’ve never been to Scotland; never felt the need or desire. I watched a documentary called ‘Trainspotting’ when I was a kid and felt I’d seen enough. However, they do produce a disproportionate amount of good music for the 5 or so million population. Not so fresh off the production line are Aberdeen rockers The Xcerts, who, according to their Wikipedia entry at least, formed after meeting in their headmaster’s office at their school. Boys after my own heart.

‘Scatterbrain’ is the band’s 2nd album and one they’ve actually been touring since it’s release in October 2010. If I’m honest I’d ignored the band. I couldn’t stomach the name and, rather incorrectly, assumed they were some sort of electro laptop-band, a genre I loathe. Rather fortunately I’ve just managed to enjoy them before they return to the studio to hibernate.

This is a good record and one that brilliantly occupies the space between twee indie-rock and the sonic noise of alt-rock. Demonstrating their sounds perfectly the track ‘Young’ has two versions on this record, one with their powerpop sound and the other, the album’s closing track, a stripped back acoustic strum-along.

Still only in their early 20’s this record has at times the feel of a band more mature than their years and at others they sound like mid 90’s punk-pop band Midget. At times it’s clever and exciting. Imagine Biffy Clyro back when they didn’t take themselves too seriously. ‘Tear Me Down’ even sounds like it has borrowed a wee bit from Biffy’s ‘Justboy’.

The criticism of the record is that it plunders rather obviously from other bands. It’s a band still finding their feet and developing their sound, which you would be at 23, but it’s an album worth listening to and a band worth taking note of. That they haven’t yet carved their own niche is not necessarily a bad thing. This record shows the band have plenty of potential. Watch this space and buy this record, I can think of few things better to spend £5.99 on right now.

 

Scatterbrain is out now via Xtra Mile. Catch the band on tour in May.

 

Seth Lumsden to release debut ‘Who You Tryin’ To Kid?’ EP in June | Music News

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Scottish singer-songwriter Seth Lumsden is to release his debut 6 song EP, Who You Tryin’ To Kid?, as a digital-only download on 1st June. The troubadour, who lives in a cottage in the Loch Lomond & The Trossachs Country Park, has been earning rave reviews north of the border and is cut from the same cloth as such broken-hearted singer-songwriters like Bright Eyes, Tim Buckley, Nick Drake and Elliott Smith.

The recording was self-produced in Seth’s bedroom over the past year and features a cover of Elliott Smith’s “Between The Bars” as well as five other original tracks.

The ‘Who You Tryin’ To Kid?’ EP is available here from 1st June