Where have all the posts gone?

If you think you've seen more recent posts here, you're right!

Since November 2011, I have been focusing on creating under the Daughter of a Pistol name. My aim with that project was to complete a year of recording.

As I now only have one more song to go to fulfil that obligation, I thought the time had come to collect those creations together in one place.  All Daughter of a Pistol's song can now be found at:
www.doapannual2012.blogspot.co.uk.

Thank you for reading.

DOAP

Boy girl voices - Johnny Cash and June Carter

One of my favourite duets ever featuring Johnny Cash and June Carter. Here's a great version of Jackson from The Grand Ole Opry in 1968. That's quite a quiff that Johnny's sporting.

On a related note, I'm reading The House of Cash: The legacies of my father by John Carter Cash which offers a fascinating and intimate insight into the great Man in Black.

Boy girl voices - The Vaselines

Another great song with the whole boy/ girl thing going on. One of my fave songs by The Vaselines - Son of a Gun. And, what makes it better is that I was there!

Boy girl voices - Veronica Falls

To mark the return, a new series - this time favourite boy/ girl vocals. Here's a relatively up to date one. Veronica Falls and Found love in a graveyard.

New discoveries

Over the course of gig going, recent rehearsals and extensive radio listening, I have found three new-to-me bands that I want to share. Weirdly, they all begin with 'P'.

1. Peggy Sue - spotted supporting Wild Flag in Glasgow recently. Good voices and guitar action too.



2. Penguins Kill Polar Bears - overheard making a helluva noise at The Depot rehearsal rooms in Edinburgh. On the same evening Kid Canaveral were practising too - indie glitterati indeed!



3. Papercuts - yes, I know they have been around for a while, but that's ok! Sub Pop reckon the latest album is Belle and Sebastian crossed with Slowdive, recorded by Phil Spectre. How can that be bad?

Shredders in chiffon: Carrie Brownstein

Concluding the Shredders in chiffon series with one of the best guitarists I have ever seen - Carrie Brownstein. Formerly of Sleater-Kinney and currently touring with Wild Flag, the Portland-based musician often crops up in 'best female guitarists' lists.

Brownstein started playing guitar when she was 15 and stuck with it ever since. She attended the 'birthplace of riot grrl' Evergreen College in Olympia, Oregon at the same time as Kathleen Hanna and founded Sleater-Kinney with Corin Tucker in 1994.

Now with Wild Flag (a band that boasts another awesome female guitarist in the form of Mary Timony), Carrie's fluidity and speed up and down the neck results in some impressive (but usually fairly tasteful) solos. Combined with windmills plenty and some high kicks too, she's just so rock and roll.

And so to equipment: Guild S-100 with Bigsby and I've seen her use amps by both Vox and Fender. Pedal-wise, she uses a Line 6 Delay, Boss Blues Driver, Boss OD3 Overdrive and a Z-Vex Super Hard On. Thanks are due to Dr Mailbag Hickory for pedal ID skills - please visit the Mailbag Hickory photography blog or follow on Twitter - @stcstc.

Anyway, here is Carrie Brownstein ripping it up with Wild Flag in Glasgow recently.

Shredders in chiffon: Theresa Wayman

Lead guitarist with Warpaint, Theresa Wayman first picked up a guitar aged 9 to play along with her dad, but apparently didn't take the instrument seriously until much later, preferring piano and singing. Perhaps this is what's helped create her oft-ethereal and melodic approach to the instrument.

Theresa says that evoking a feeling is the key inspiration for the band's songwriting, rather than specific artists, although she often cites Bjork. She recently curated this playlist over at Spilt Milk, so that might contain a few clues? 

And there can be no doubt that there's a hint of shoe-gazing in there, whether intentional or otherwise. To that end, she plugs in an Electro Harmonix Small Stone and a Boss DD7 too. She also has a few distortions to choose from... 

Another Fender fan, Theresa plays a Fender Mustang through a Vox AC30. 

Here's the vid for Undertow, which I've never seen before! 

Undertow

Warpaint | Myspace Music Videos

Shredders in chiffon: Marnie Stern

Native New Yorker Marnie Stern is a massively dexterous guitar player. On her most recent album, she opined that 'Female Guitar Players are the New Black'. She might be right, but this one is all substance, not just style.

An advocate of tapping, Marnie's speedy skills need to be seen to be believed. On record, she builds up layers of sound to create hectic, rhythmic songs. Some people link this to prog. I would never say such a thing.

Stern has a quiver of guitars and can be seen tapping on a Fender Jazzmaster, a double-necked (!) Epiphone SG or a Flaxwood. Amp-wise, she uses a Fender Deluxe Reverb and doesn't go in for too many effects, favouring a clean sound to allow each guitar line to shine.

Marnie has this advice for females looking to learn guitar, which she shared in a 2011 interview with GuitarWorld magazine:


"I had been wanting to give guitar lessons to girls because I feel like women tend to use their voice as the starting point for a song and learn a few chords, and then it ends there because then they just use their voice to flesh out a song. I think you should look at the guitar differently instead of just something to help the voice. It’s its own amazing crazy thing that can bring about different ideas."

It's certainly worked for her!

Shredders in chiffon: Anna Calvi

With her stark onstage look, Anna Calvi is a surprise shredder. Technically, I think she's a shredder in silk, usually red, but you get the idea. She creates her trademark brooding and sweeping sounds with a fairly simple set up - Fender Telecaster, Vox AC30 (in red, of course) and a TRex Roommate reverb pedal, although she does use a delay pedal too, probably a Boss DD7. Reports of a Crowther Hot Cake are unconfirmed at this stage...

Classically trained as a violinist, Anna is a skilled guitarist as she amply demonstrates with the awe-inspiring Rider to the Sea which opens her debut album. Amongst her influences, she cites Debussy, flamenco and film and I reckon it shows.

Shredders in chiffon: Bilinda Butcher

Bilinda Butcher is perhaps best known for her work in My Bloody Valentine, the seminal post-rock group from the 90s. Providing vocals for the band, her guitar playing helped create the epic, effect-strewn sound that defined MBV.

Her weapon of choice tended to be a Fender Jaguar, but she also played Jazzmasters, and some internet research suggests that she used a modified Mustang... She also professes a love for Charvel Surfcasters, which I share. You can find out more about her gear here - vintage.guitargeek.com/rigreview/74/.

But really you should just sit back and listen to the helluva noise that she created. Amazing.

In Praise Of: riot grrrl

Carrying on with In Praise Of, I have been transported back to my musical youth with an excellent book Riot Grrrl: revolution girl style now, edited by Nadine Monem.

This is a thoughtful and scholarly look back at the 'movement' that was riot grrrl and discusses its legacy today. Focusing on the literature and art of the early 90s scene, it's the music that I'm most interested in. Bands like Bikini Kill in the US and Huggy Bear in the UK are widely credited with encouraging girls with guitars everywhere, hence the foreword by Beth Ditto.

The story of empowered and enterprising female artists is as inspiring now as it was as it was 20 years ago. Mainly though, the thing to note key is that riot grrrls rocked!

This vid keeps the riot grrrl dream alive - a homemade tribute for one of Bikini Kill's bangers. Enjoy!

In Praise Of: Ski Sunday

January is a tough month in which to stay positive. We all know it. I'm going to try in 2012, by running a wee series In Praise Of. The first installment is dedicated to the joy of Ski Sunday, BBC2's winter sports show.

For decades, the iconic theme tune has heralded the arrival (for 6 short weeks at least) of a taste of the drama of alpine sports. Now, clearly, I'm not a skier, so why do I care? Let me tell you:

1. Ed Leigh - A UK snowboarding legend, the onetime Whitelines Magazine editor is now firmly snowboard establishment. In a good way. He got involved with Ski Sunday years ago now, much to the chagrin of many alpine purists and his mischievous influence has improved the show no end.

2. Downhill is insane - These guys hurtle down sheet ice at like, loads of km/hr. The crashes are epic. For a few weeks every year, I remember who the big names in downhill skiing and hang on their every turn. Current faves remain the US guys - Bode Miller for his wild inconsistency and Ted Ligety, for some reason.

3. Mountains - every week a beautiful, fresh alpine backdrop, contrasting acutely with the soggy, wind-ravaged slopes of Scotland which are mine to savour.

4. The theme tune - c'mon it's a classic!

5. Snowboarders ruling it - in the first episode of the new series, 2 UK snowboarders were featured extensively - Jenny Jones who has 3 X Games golds(!!!) and is a realistic medal hope for the next Winter Olympics and Billy Morgan who recently landed the first backside triple rodeo ever (this means you go upside down 3 whole times, while spinning horizontally at the same time).Watch here if you are confused. So proud!!

Full info on the season is here: -http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/tv_and_radio/ski_sunday/8366920.stm

The Last Post (for 2011)

The last book read in 2011 was Mindy Kaling's Is Everyone Hanging Out Without Me (And Other Concerns).

This witty look at Mindy's life tells the often-funny story of how she got the amazing job of being a writer on the American version of The Office which is one of my favourite TV shows ever. Smart, funny and very warm, this book was a great way to end my literary explorations of 2011.

Other good things from 2011's cultural experiences include (but aren't limited to) - the Stag and Dagger Festival (Glasgow, May 2011), Yuck by Yuck, Bridesmaids, The Cone Gatherers by Robin Jenkins and the Galleria Borghese, Rome and hellogiggles.com.

Edinburgh's secret spots for sparkle

There are plenty of interesting places to enjoy the festive season in Edinburgh if you are willing to explore a little.

Here are my top tips on how to discover Edinburgh’s festive sparkle.

Tree trimmings - Nestled in the West End Village in Stafford Street, Remus Interiors has a magical array of unusual decorations for your tree. A smart interior design shop, there are lots of displays to browse through until you find your must-have accessory.

Shopping heaven - For a charming alternative to the main drag, shoppers can scour the small, independent retailers of the Old Town. Here the shops are bursting with unusual gifts. For quirky accessories and artworks visit the Red Door Gallery on Victoria Street, for a unique selection of books try Analogue in its new home in Candlemaker Row and for some expert advice on hotly-tipped bands for 2012, pop into Avalanche Records.

Calming Christmas - If the bustle is becoming too much, St Giles Cathedral on the Royal Mile provides a perfect spot for some time out to gather your thoughts. The stunning stained glass and peaceful air will help restore equilibrium before heading out into the throng once more.

Festive food - Avoid the mass catering of the usual George Street haunts and opt for a cultural experience instead. The Scottish Café in the National Gallery complex at the Mound serves up first-class Scottish food in comfortable surroundings. At £24.95 for lunch, the prices are on a par with most other local venues. Best of all, there won’t be any office parties loudly doing Noddy Holder impressions. Unless it's me...

Picking up good vibrations

Heavy with reverb, the Trailer Trash Tracys could be an exciting proposition.

Signed to Domino, they are apparently 'inhabiting their own beautifully dark, ethereal corner of the music universe'.

Debut album Ester is due out early 2012 and there are European dates throughout December.

Hatred rules ok

Luke Haines, of The Auteurs, vents his spleen in this memoir of the early nineties. Bad Vibes, Britpop and my part in its downfall, tells the story of Haines' star ascending for a short and troubled time.

All of this takes place in the context of the Britpop boom and Haines watches with disbelief as oafish Northeners dominate the music industry.

Good fun, if vitriolic.

Modern lovers

Had a first foray into the world of minimalist modern American composers last Tuesday, appropriately enough in the pared –down surroundings of Edinburgh’s Queen’s Hall. Under the expert guidance of the Hebrides Ensemble, the audience was treated to five varied pieces of music composed in the last 100 years.

The first and only one by a female composer was Jennifer Higden’s Smash. It was also the only item on the programme to involve all five musicians - the piece was a crash headlong into the world of modernity.

John Adam’s Road Movie followed. The three movements for violin and piano, were my favourites of the evening. The second movement transported me to the long dead-straight roads through the American desert, before being pulled back into a world of busy-ness. For more on this very interesting artist, check out his blog at www.earbox.com.

Then came Charles Ives’ Piano Trio using cello, violin and piano. Clearly the best-known piece of the programme, it is apparently loaded with references to folk tunes and hymns. As a newbie, most of this bypassed me, as did the ‘joke’ of the second movement which is known as TSIAJ: This Scherzo Is A Joke.

Steve Reich’s Electronic Counterpoint was the next piece – unusual in its use of recordings and loops – think My Bloody Valentine for clarinet. Sadly, this just confirmed that I feel no affinity for woodwind….

Finally was The Voice of the Whale by George Crumb. Written in the 70s and you can tell, the composer unusually provides stage directions – blue light and masks. The techniques seem much more experimental than in the other music of the evening as the flautist sings into her flute as she plays and the piano is strummed. The resultant reverberations are supposed to sound like the humpbacked whale. You can see where they’re coming from… An interesting intro to this eerie wowrld of music.

New musical experiences

November's theme is new music, but Daughter of a Pistol is not the place for the newest bands or whatnot, so we'll be focusing on new music experiences.

There are a few interesting classical concerts on the to do list this month, as well as my usual stomping grounds in the indie/alt/ post rock fields.

But to today's business! Over the last year of so I've been exploring the bewildering world of internet radio. This massive universe of radio exists online and allows radio stations of all sizes and interests to broadcast their own often very specialist programmes to a handful of likeminded earholes.Here are some of my top sites from the indie world.

WFMU - well known in the world of 'alternative' music, WFMU's strength lies in its diverse musical programme and the distinctly laid back approach of the DJs. A great place to check in for some really interesting sounds.

East Village Radio - sticking with the East Coast of the US, East Village Radio is another station which takes an eclectic approach. And it has shows hosted by both Mike Joyce and Andy Rourke which is kind of amazing.

GimmeNoise - over on the West Coast, GimmeNoise, unencumbered by the witterings of DJs, makes it all about the music. a typical hour's listening might include some 70s punk/ new wave like the Stooges, mixed with more contemporary sounds and the band Mclusky pop up alot. Hadn't heard of them before GimmeNoise....

Kokomo - broadcasting from France, Kokomo also offers non-stop music, often with a melacholy air.

Primavera - the station associated with one of Europe's most amazing festivals, Primavera serves up an endless supply of live performances from previous festivals. On heavy rotation at present are recent headliners Fleet Foxes, as well as the many less well known folks that make the Barcelona festival such a treasure. That and the endless sunshine.

Spookiness at Signal

The final installment of pre-snow season inspiration comes courtesy of Signal Snowboards' fantastic Every Third Thursday. It is totally appropriate since it is Hallowe'en.

Toasty fingers

It wouldn't be winter without mittens, would it? These are really cool ones, IMO. From Rome, they have the craftsy benefit of looking like they are crocheted lovingly by a granny. In fact, they are full of tech and will keep you totally dry and toasty no matter how many times you have to do up your bindings. They can be found online at the amazing blue-tomato.com.