The Glasgow PodcART

When we first started Glasgow PodcART about 8 months ago we were aware of the other blogs, podcasts and music review sites available and quickly came to respect and learn a lot from them. There are a diverse number of these and they cover everything from technical to personal information but at the core of them all is music.

We decided that it was about time that we tell you about some of them. The following blogs are by people that we have become friends with, provide us with entertainment and ultimately teach us a lot. They have helped us from the beginning and have been some of the most amazing people in putting us on the map. More importantly however, we follow them avidly.

Song By Toad

Song By Toad by Matthew Young is simply a joy. Toad’s unique approach to blogging is that a posh gentleman by all accounts writes and plays who he wants in a way he wants. His podcasts may contain more cussing than ours which may be hard for a few of you to get your heads round but essentially that is not the beauty of this. Wise writing about artists and music that compel him is illustrated on a beautifully striking website. Each Podcast has a special theme and plays music from the unsigned right through to acts from decades ago. Not only this but, Toad record live sessions from time to time from some of the best artists. If you thought this was everything you would be mistaken! There are Song By Toad Records as well, staggering isn’t it? Some of our favourite artists are on this roster and these are: Meursault, Inspector Tapehead, Eagleowl and Jesus H. Foxx. I suppose I look at Song By Toad to be the father of all the blogs that we read regularly. This is a grounded and knowledgeable blog that everyone should check out.

Products Of A Gaseous Brain by Milo McLaughlin was another of the blogs we initially stumbled upon whilst

Gaseous Brain

starting out. The difference with this blog is that it does of course cover music but also technology. I think the appeal is that Milo clearly is a geek in terms of technology and I know he won’t mind me saying that! With informative reviews regarding technology and then just as quickly he can be found writing and filming about things like Homegame Festival! His video blogs avec his lovely partner are both humorous and informative yet keep that realness about them. If you like your gadgets and want to keep up to date with music then this is a blog for you!

Lis Ferla

[Last Year's Girl] by Lis Ferla is heart-warming, personal and just genuine. Lis writes passionately about things in her life associated through music and photography. It is almost a documentary on her life but one that you can associate with your own. I think that’s the real beauty of blogging is when you can relate as well to something. Lis has an impressive list of credits in terms of her writing and pens for established press also. For me though this is the one that ticks all my boxes.

Earzmag by Martin Skivington is an art’s music blog with a logo that you will always remember. They cover global art, music, culture, and various other mediums. Based in Scotland we first came across them during Hinterland and they covered our art exhibition enormously. I love the angles this blog takes as it covers all art forms. This is an elementary blog that I have discovered a lot of gems from.

Under The Radar which is run predominantly by Nick Mitchell and Billy Hamilton is a necessity in my opinion to the Scottish music network. They have several other writers that are all as musically experienced and the writing is of a very high standard. They write as part of The Scotsman and have helped expose and generate interest for a number of unsigned Scottish Artists. For me their editorials have been some of the most important and impressive things. These in my opinion have been instrumental to what is happening on the Scottish music network at the moment. They have questioned people’s opinions in a fair and concise way; they have also made me sit and question Glasgow PodcART and the direction that we are going in. I suppose that in itself shows the influence they have. For artists I know that have been focused on by Under The Radar it is that satisfaction gained when they have been noticed by a body that is respected. You cannot deny the happiness gained from that.

Peenko by Lloyd Meredith has introduced us to a number of acts including Campfires in Winter and Apples Of Energy. These are two bands that we would recommend to absolutely everyone. Peenko never fails to come out with exclusives about gigs, live recorded sessions available and other snippets of valuable information. This is a daily blog that focuses on a day at a time and in the best way is simple and enlightening.

My Portis Wasp Says by James Shaw just makes me smile. The great thing about this is that to some it may seem like trash culture being documented but ultimately it isn’t. Portis Wasp has a fantastic way of visually grabbing your attention and lately interviews that have focused on everyone from musicians, models and even Halina have been a worth read! His photography skills are also notable and you may even recognise his prodigious sister Panda Su! For me this is my relief away from the intensity sometimes and I love it!

Aye Tunes by Jim Connick is a humorous shy blog by a man that has so much passion for Scottish music that it would make you burst! His EP/album reviews are to the point and honest and his style of writing lets you know there and then whether you want to experience something. Jim like us just wants you all to know how much he loves the music that is coming out of Scotland in his own way. Jim Connick is a very admirable gentleman and Aye Tunes a humble blog.

The Steinberg Principle by Euan McMeeken is a lucid blog. People will know Euan from his tremendous promotional work with Trampoline and also stunning band The Kays Lavelle. He does guest spots for Song By Toad but this is his ‘baby’. Here he writes in a very endearing way about the music he loves. He is honest and does not sugar coat however, his writing shows exactly what his character all about. Euan is another blogger that covers from the unsigned to artists that he has followed for years. I don’t know what it is about Euan that sets him apart though? I think it just may be the utter purity of his writing and they way he conveys his thoughts and feelings in a way that you just connect with him.

Love Shack Baby by ‘Tarty Tart’ is a worthy blog I decided to include even though not from Scottish shores. This is Chicago blogger who needs to be addressed as her writing is simply wonderful. The way she writes about music you can almost hear her talking to you about it in the real person and that my friends is a gift in itself. Her love for Scotland is unparalleled and I discovered her through Song By Toad and The Steinberg Principle. For an insight into what is happening across the globe then please check this out it is some of the best writing you are likely to read.

I shall stop there for now for fear of writing a novel. I am going to do this in 2 parts as I would like people to digest this!

What I really wanted to illustrate is that times have changed; previously there was a sense of competition in terms of discovering new music and creating a popularity contest. Now that in my eyes has disappeared, of course competition is healthy but in terms of this then a collective is better. Everyone writing and talking about one musical act for example can have an amazing effect. We have discovered this through bands over the last few months and the feedback received.

All these bloggers are just people writing about what they love in a way they see fit. It is not for personal exposure or glorification it is just so that everyone else can see what is out there. We have had a blast over the last 8 months and these folks are only a handful that have made it even better for us. Please check them out they might introduce you to the next best thing!

Halina Rifai