Album Review: Justin Currie – This Is My Kingdom Now
Justin Currie’s new album – ‘This Is My Kingdom Now’ – is the polished jewel in the crown of the Del Amitri frontman’s solo career. Currie’s fourth solo album (out now via Endless Shipwreck Records) follows the inappropriately titled ‘Lower Reaches’ in 2013, a Del Amitri reunion tour in 2014 and recent performances including the …
Track: The Van T’s – Fresh Meat
The Van T’s serve us epic guitar soundscapes and huge harmonies with new single ‘Fresh Meat’. 2016 was a huge year for The Van T’s – they released earworm after earworm that embedded themselves in the minds, and hearts, of listeners everywhere. Their stupendous ‘Coming Of Age’ EP and riotous ‘Fun Garçon’ single were accompanied …
Track: Girl Ray – Don’t Go Back At Ten, plus UK tour news
Girl Ray announce their eagerly awaited debut headline tour and share an ode to friendship with new track ‘Don’t Go Back At Ten’. The North London trio – comprising Poppy Hankin (guitar/vocals), Iris McConnell (drums) and Sophie Moss (bass) – recently announced details of their highly anticipated debut album ‘Earl Grey’ (out 4 August via …
Live Review: PINS – Broadcast Glasgow 14.4.2017 Plus Gallery
PINS made a Good Friday great by bringing their captivating live show to a sold-out Broadcast. It’s been another exciting twelve months in the world of Manchester five-piece PINS. This time last year they were releasing the 10″ single ‘Trouble’ for Record Store Day. Since then they’ve released a new EP – the phenomenal ‘Bad …
Live Review: Desperate Journalist – Nice N Sleazy Glasgow 31.3.2017 Plus Gallery
Exhilarating, epic and exceptional – Desperate Journalist enthral with a grown up, but still fierce, performance at Glasgow’s Nice N Sleazy. After local band Life Model have dragged the crowd away from the bar and down into the cosy basement with their 90s brit/dream pop swagger, Desperate Journalist emerge and waste no time jumping into …
Album Review: Desperate Journalist – Grow Up
Desperate Journalist come of age with their most powerful and refined music to date on new album ‘Grow Up’. We, at Backseat Mafia, have often professed our love for Desperate Journalist. I thought I’d better state that straight away. You may think this means that this review will be biased – based on a history …
Album Review: Marnie – Strange Words And Weird Wars
With new album ‘Strange Words And Weird Wars’ Marnie proves that she still rules when it comes to powerful pop. ‘Strange Words And Weird Wars’ (released on 2 June) is the eagerly awaited follow-up to Helen Marnie’s 2013 solo album ‘Crystal World’ and cements her status as one of the queens of electro-pop – a …
News: Belle & Sebastian to headline BBC 6 Music Festival in Glasgow
As the BBC 6 Music Festival prepares to make its Glasgow debut, local stars Belle & Sebastian are announced as headliners. As one of Glasgow’s most loved bands, it’s fitting that Belle & Sebastian are topping the bill on the last night of the BBC 6 Music Festival on Sunday 26 March at the O2 …
Live Review: Be Charlotte – Attic at The Garage Glasgow 17.2.2017 Plus Gallery
Half way through their short tour of Scotland, Be Charlotte enthral a packed Attic with a set of stunningly artistic and irresistibly catchy anthems. As we’re waiting for Be Charlotte to take to the stage, I’m told by a fellow photographer that I should prepare myself for something special and when the band – made …
Live Review: Ladyhawke – The Art School Glasgow 9.2.2017 plus gallery
Ladyhawke gives Glasgow a huge dose of her addictive electro-pop and leaves it hooked on her hooks. Ladyhawke – aka New Zealand songstress Pip Brown – danced confidently into synth-pop territory with third album ‘Wild Things’, which was released last year. The music was exhilarating, uplifting and reflected her mood as she confessed at the …