Under the Radar: February is a good month for a drink

Within a fortnight it had been picked up by several influential blogs and numerous London-based management companies were getting in touch. With one listen to Autumn, which underpins a gentle vocal with guitar and an occasional burst of glockenspiel, it is easy to understand why Lists has attracted so much interest. We look forward to hearing more from this promising new talent, go to here for a listen Fellow capital outfit Meursault have set up a crowd-funding campaign via Kickstarter in order to finance a trip to the SXSW showcase in Texas and go on a tour of the USA. In return for a donation, fans vote for up to five songs, with the most popular being recorded and featured on their next album, The Organ Grinder’s Monkey. Live gigs take place on 21 February at The Haven Café in Leith, followed by two secret shows on Edinburgh’s Royal Mile (23 and 24 February) and a larger event on 1 March. Donate and vote here. Glaswegian instrumental legends Mogwai have just released their eighth studio album, Rave Tapes, charting at number 10 in the UK – a career high. Accompanying it is a special celebratory nine-year-old, cask-strength (57.1 ABV) Glenallachie malt whisky called ROCKACT81W, named after the band’s record label Rock Action Records. Visit www.mogwaiwhisky.com for more info. And sticking to the alcohol theme, it seems that these days not a month goes by without craft beer meisters Brew Dog announcing a music initiative. The latest event is called Beer Geek Brunch and takes place at Glasgow’s SWG3 venue. Acts performing at the event include The Shiverin’ Sheiks, The New Piccadillys, Aidan Moffat, Prides and Miaoux Miaoux. Go to www.swg3.tv for event info and tickets. Glasgow Film Festival celebrates its ten-year anniversary throughout the city from 20 February until 2 March. A particular musical highlight features Admiral Fallow on 1 March at the Old Fruitmarket, where they’ll perform bespoke music composed in collaboration with ten emerging film makers, dubbed Ten Takes. The band will also use the films as a visual backdrop to showcase songs from their back catalogue. Visit www.glasgowfilm.org for info and booking. Hit The Road is a touring and mentoring project providing young musicians aged 14-19 years old the opportunity to tour Scotland. Emerging bands Farkow, Man of Moon and Mosco are the acts selected to benefit from the initiative next. Their tour begins on 20 February at Glasgow’s Stereo, and stops off at The Shore in Dundee on 22 February before ending at Edinburgh’s Electric Circus on 23 February. Visit www.hittheroad.org.uk for details. Our Born To Be Wide organisation will host the latest Off The Record youth event at Kirkcaldy’s Adam Smith Theatre on 8 February. The series of workshops, aimed at 14-25 year olds, will give an introduction to getting and hosting gigs, releasing music and promoting to media. Speakers include Radio 1’s Ally McCrae and Nice N Sleazy booker Fielding Hope. Hard-working quartet The Winter Tradition release their latest single Departures on 10 February - watch the video here- The band has an extensive UK tour planned to help promote the release, with the Scottish leg kicking off at Glasgow’s King Tut’s on 6 February. Visit www.thewintertradition.com for info and dates. • Olaf Furniss and Derick Mackinnon run Born To Be Wide, a community interest company hosting music business seminars and social events. On 6 February its tenth birthday party takes place at Edinburgh’s Electric Circus. The night features a look back on the past decade in the music business with T In The Park organiser Dave Corbet and music business analyst David Balfour. This will be followed by former guest DJs playing their favourite three Scottish tracks released since 2004. www.borntobewide.co.uk