Betty and the Bass – Monk’s Blood

Last year’s EP from Betty and the Bass,  Bad Magic Tricks Part 1,  was one of my favourite releases of the year. So it was a real pleasure to catch them live at the Leith Festival at the start of June. It may have been a short appearance but there were plenty of highlights as this talented trio served up a tasty wee set. Singer Lyndsey Craig exuded bags of attitude as she fronted the band with effortless cool whilst the interplay between bassist and drummer demonstrated just how tight a gang this group are.

A hefty swig by the singer from a bottle of a well-known tonic wine served as an introduction to new track Monk’s Blood. Released on video at the start of May it’s another piece of indie magic from the band. A gentle start soon gives way to a livelier ska infused vibe as the track progresses towards a riotous conclusion. The accompanying video of the band goofing around in various places in Leith only adds to the fun. It comes at a surprise to see that the track runs for nearly five minutes as it really flies by.

Check out the video and add it to your summer playlist now, you won’t regret it.

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Catch the video on YouTube below.

 

Me for Queen – Loose End

Released on the 1st of June, Loose End is the new single from Me for Queen. The title track from an album due later in the year, Loose End deserves to be a part of everyone’s summer soundtrack.

Me for Queen is the alter ego of Mary Erskine.  Raised in Fife with a blues guitarist Father and herself classically trained it’s perhaps no surprise that her music can’t easily be slotted in to any musical pigeon hole.

Loose End dispenses with an intro, the vocal kicking in straight away, the warm soulful folky vibe proving to be utterly captivating from start to finish. There are several neat changes of pace here and the chorus is an absolute delight.   If this song is a sign of things to come then the album is going to be an absolute belter.

Click here to listen to and BUY Loose End by Me for Queen

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Little Love and the Friendly Vibes at Leith Festival

The sun was shining down on Leith festival as Little Love and the Friendly Vibes prepared to deliver their set. Looking like they had just rolled out of Scooby Doo’s Mystery Machine their laid back demeanour disappeared as soon the opening chords of first song Fictional Girls rang out. It looked like co-vocalist Leonora Winstanley had been plugged in to the mains along with the amps as she was instantly transformed in to a vigorous ball of energy.

Sounding like a cross between the Buzzcocks and The B52’s,  their enthusiasm was impossible to resist from the start. High Maintenance, a song from their album ‘The Same…..Only Worse’ proved to be even better than the rather excellent studio version. . Heads Down, Thumbs Up saw Leonora make one of many forays in to the crowd, the stage proving too small to contain her remarkable energy. The bands certainly weren’t taking themselves too seriously. Guitarist and lead vocalist Euan Weddel’s occasional guitar hero antics in front of the stage were tremendous fun to watch, one of many things about the groups’ performance that left all those watching smiling broadly.

New single Italian Leather Jacket was possibly the high point of their afternoon as the band really got in to their groove. Things were brought to an all too early finish with a storming version of Banter Enhancer. They are appearing at Edinburgh’s Canal festival on the 16th June. Get yourself there if you can, you are guaranteed to have a good time.

Find out more at Little Love and the Friendly Vibes Facebook page.

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