Ambivalent Peaks

Hey pals!

I try to keep this blog updated as best as I can. The reason that I started Ambivalent Peaks was so that if I was ever inspired to write, I would have a platform to do so. Inspiration doesn't strike as often as I would like and I don't enjoy the feeling of rushing anything because usually, if I rush things, I fuck them up. I feel I work better when I can come to a nice round-up after a wee while, collect my thoughts and reflect on what's been going on. Maybe not the best format for a music blog, but hey ho. I do have a Facebook page now that you can like if you want. 

So what's been going on?

I've been pretty obsessed with the new CHVRCHES.


So much so that I've went through a phase of listening to their first album, The Bones Of What You Believe again. I have concluded finally that that album is most probably one of my most favourite albums in recent times as it's one I can actually listen to all the way through and enjoy. Now that might not sound like a massive feat, but the way that people in the modern day - and myself especially - consume music is very sporadic. I'll find a song by an artist that I like and tend to fixate more on that song and how good it is and not be too fussed about trying to listen to the album that it belongs to. Usually, when I do, I find myself skipping songs or not having as much patience as I feel people 20 years ago might have had. Us damn kids and our short attentions spans. Bloody Vine.

Singer of the band Lauren Mayberry also publicly called out dickheads on the internet because they were being a prime of example of why sometimes I hate the entire universe. Being targetted for putting out music that you create I can only imagine is a scary thing to do, but to be attacked by people on the internet for it and ripped apart because of your gender has got to be terrifying. Holy shit, let the girl be in a music video. The whole thing sucks but I respect her so much for calling them out and not ignoring what was going on.

I also got to see Frank Turner in King Tut's when he played there as part of a very last minute (the announcement was anyway, I'm unsure of the amount of planning behind it) acoustic set in support of his new album. It was really intimate and special and lovely.

From my instagram.

There's something quite magical about seeing someone who's capable of playing a lot larger venues playing a stripped back, no frills set. There's also something magical when smaller artists play the same kind of sets but have bucket loads of potential and you can sense that they're going to grow and get even better than what you can see in front of you -- but you know for now that you got lucky being able to see them early on.

That was a wee bit deep and hipster-y, wasn't it? Woops.

Moving on... earlier this month I was also very lucky to sit in the audience for the BBC Quay Sessions, a new show for radio hosted by Edith Bowman. The show(if you haven't guessed) is based at the BBC Scotland at the Quay, where bands come in every two weeks to perform live for sessions.

Although rather than it being an acoustic session ala Tenement TV (see above, one of my favourite bands Manchester Orchestra playing a set for them) or smaller scaled like a NPR Tiny Desk Concert, it's set up to be as lively as a gig. It might be a little bit difficult for some to zone out and pretend you're not sitting in the figurative front room of a corporation building, but it works. Set against the backdrop of the River Clyde and and Armadillo in full view, it's kind of astounding. A gig with a view.

So picturesque at the @bbcquaysessions. Edith Bowman chatting to Zervas and Pepper mid-set. pic.twitter.com/WYYUUQMSCP

— Alisa (@ambipeaks) July 22, 2015

I've been twice. The first one I attended, I wasn't familiar with the artists playing but it was a nice experience nonetheless. The tickets are free if you apply for them in advance. The second time I went, there were some familiar faces. First up were The Fratellis. You know who The Fratellis are. I'd never seen them before, but since they've planted themselves firm in the Glasgow music scene as being one of the most well known bands from the city, I was looking forward to seeing if they matched up to their reputation.

Great seats at the @bbcquaysessions seeing The Fratellis. My life is alright sometimes. pic.twitter.com/uIrI0H8Vun

— Alisa (@ambipeaks) August 12, 2015

I was pleasantly surprised. After almost ten years of storming the charts with Chelsea Dagger, they proved to be energetic and eager to show off their new material. Stylistically, it was very different to what some punters may know and love but their live performance was stellar. Frontman (Did you know he's not actually called Jon Fratelli? It's John Lawler. Who woulda thunk it. Anyway, for generalising purposes, we'll stick to what we all know, shall we?) Jon Fratelli was sweating by the third song in. They have great stage presence and there was some people dancing out of their seats along to them. There was a really sweet moment when a mother and daughter were dancing together in the aisle, to which they were mentioned by the band on stage. I live for interactions like those. See below.

.@RachelSermanni and her band are playing some beautiful, beautiful music down at @bbcquaysessions. pic.twitter.com/OkCJ4xsJk5

— Alisa (@ambipeaks) August 12, 2015

I think that's everything for now. I'm going to try and get some more updates up on here before I start back at uni next month. Where does the time go?!

This was originally posted up on Glasgow Music City Tours' blog on the 6th of July 2015 as I was guest blogging on behalf of Girls Rock Glasgow. The project is finished up now but the week long summer school was so, so amazing and inspiring to be apart of. We're also looking at running a fundraiser this October for next year's rock school so keep checking in for updates on that!

Since the start of the year up until now, I have been involved with putting on my own show as part of the Behind The Noise Trainee scheme, which I have touched on before. Now the gig is over, I'm taking a look back at the whole experience overall to evaluate my time and how I felt the project went.

Yes, Forever is the name of the band. They are difficult to draw a comparison with any one band or act. Instead of saying that they sound like x, mixed with y and add in a dash of z, they are totally unique to anything I have heard recently. A breath of fresh air, if you will. The thing about the band too, is that they have only been active - on Facebook anyway - for just under a month. Yet, Podcart have already featured their first and only recorded song, Shamed, as their song of the day. As they mention, they clearly have obvious various, different influences all infused together to make this wonderfully strange song. This is experimental in it truest, purest form as it stands. It's not some guys fucking around with pedals or adding in some quirky instrument to make it sound unconventional and cool, it's clearly the result of a lot of hard work and distinction.

Pleeeease tell me someone got footage of @tonythaxton playing with @MotionCityMusic?!?!

— Alisa (@alisawylie) February 14, 2015

@alisawylie Someone sent me this http://t.co/2Rk2pMgfb3

— Tony Thaxton (@tonythaxton) February 14, 2015

I have a bout of the flu. So I'm not really dying, but it sure as hell feels like it. Anyway, let's reflect back on when I was actually capable of doing real life things.

Last week the Behind the Noise trainees had a meeting with Yvonne Morrison from Ticketmaster and Libby Urvois from Ticketweb to discuss - yes you guessed it - ticketing for the gig that myself and the other Behind The Noise trainees will be putting on some time in April.


It was a nice, informal Q&A type session and they were both happy to help with anything that we may need for our impending gig. What I took away from it though, is that the ticket websites aren't actually just ripping the piss when it comes to booking fees for gig tickets. The initial price you pay for the ticket is the cost of seeing the band alone, which is set by the band and has nothing to do with the ticket website that they put them on. All they do is charge the 10% of whatever the band charges, add that on as a booking fee and that's the money that goes back into the company to keep it running.

Booking fees sneaking into your order like...

Ticketmaster/Ticketweb aren't always the evil boogeyman lurking in the shadows trying to steal your money. They're just trying to make a living. Rather than being angry at them, be angry at whatever burnt out band returns with a comeback tour and charges astronomical amounts because they know people will buy them. They're the real villains, people. OPEN YOUR EYES.



Last Saturday I also was at the Behind The Noise open day, speaking again with the trainees and offering my wisdom to the kids there that were interested in going into further education with music courses/just want to see themselves in the music industry in some way. My university - Strathclyde University - actually used to run a course called Applied Music which sounded ideal for someone like me, but they dropped the course the year I applied. I am still upset about this.

Dat accidental flash.

I also managed to see Allison Weiss and Rob Lynch at Audio while I could still sing without my throat feeling like it was the home to a million tiny razorblades. Allison Weiss was, as usual, great. She played a song that I requested called Boston, from her Teenage Years album but since she doesn't play it that often, she forgot some of the lyrics half way through. To help, I started to sing really loud so that she heard and remembered. This prompted a "YEAH!" of recognition and she finished the song and it was beautiful. I adore the song and it meant a lot that she played it since if she doesn't normally. THANKS, ALLISON <3




Think that's it for now. I'm going go drink my weight in tea. Again.

Last year, the band from my school, Heisenberg, performed 4 covers live at a sold out gig at the Classic Grand. This is the cover of Do I Wanna Know? by the Arctic Monkeys.
Super exciting times ahead. Watch this space.

Kurt, Frances, Patty.

Happy New Year and all that, to all of the 2 people that read this blog.

To get right into it, as I sometimes write for RaveChild, an email was sent out to the contributors to ask if they wanted to compile a list of their top Scottish albums, songs and EPs of the last year.

I don't usually listen to a lot of Scottish artists, although I am well aware there is tons of talent in the city and I grew up and live in, which I can appreciate.

I originally picked 5 albums, but the top three are ones that I have voluntarily reached for through the year.

1. Fatherson - I Am An Island
   Incredible, conceptual debut from a band that looks set to take off in a big way in 2015. Sounds absolutely massive, and transpires in a live setting too. Seeing them at the Arches last year with my Dad was one of my gig highlights of the year.

   You can stream the album on Spotify.

   
   
   
2. Beerjacket - Darling Darkness
   Makes for relaxing listening, but there’s more to it. There’s a depth and texture that goes beyond your ordinary singer songwriter. To mark 10 years of Beerjacket, singer Peter Kelly has released a beautiful, cosy, folk masterpiece.
   

   
   You can hear it for yourself on Beerjacket's bandcamp.
   
   
   
3. Paws - Youth Culture Forever
   Pounded with raw feelings, YCF is the follow up to their first album, Cokefloat! It displays how PAWS can conquer both fun exuberant noise and more toned down, mature and sombre vibes. Fantastic band.
   
   You can stream the album on their bandcamp also.