is a 23-year-old one-man-show from Edinburgh embellished with brass, strings, harmonica and even more. On his debut Belle & Sebastian, Teenage Fanclub and Camera Obscura are guest players/arrangers.
It's almost impossible to pick my favourite Beatles song as they are all so good. I'm nuts on The Beatles. The last one that gave me goosebumps for some reason was «I'm Only Sleeping». Not sure why it did as I've heard it so many times but for some reason that day it really had an effect on me.
best concert you ever attended
John Prine
That would have to be John Prine. I went to see him in Glasgow and wasn't a big fan before but walking away from it he became one of my all time favourite songwriters. It can be really hard to write a simple song and to make an impact with it but he seems to do it with ease.
a song guaranteed to make you feel depressed
The Smiths - I Know It's Over
No song really makes me depressed. I like songs with a bit of light at the end of the tunnel so to speak. Not sure I'd listen to a song that is depressing as it seems a cop out to write. But a song that strikes me as a wee bit depressing which I like would have to be «I Know It's Over» by The Smiths. I love this song and find it more ironic than depressing. Almost making light of a depressing situation which Morrissey was expert at.
record you were looking for the longest
Ron Sexsmith
I've recently gotten into Ron Sexsmith and really love his work. So the last album I was looking for was an early one of his. Haven't found it yet! Very irritating!
perfect anthem for Edinburgh
The Proclaimers - Sunshine On Leith
Edinburgh already has an anthem! It's by the Proclaimers and its called «Sunshine On Leith» which is a port town on the outskirts of Edinburgh. The Proclaimers are from Edinburgh and are one of the best live acts I've seen.
perfect song to end a party with
Frank Sinatra - That's Life
Would be for me a Frank Sinatra tune hands down! Maybe something like «That's Life». The delivery is really classy and cool. Just like Frank! And also the song itself is so good I don't think you need to hear another after it!
the song to be played at your funeral
The Band - Whispering Pines
I love that song and find it quite eery. But that's subject to change!
a song that evokes the greatest summer of your life
The Beatles - Martha My Dear
I've had many great summers so its hard to pick a moment from any. However a song that always reminds me of summery times and positive memories is «Martha My Dear» by the Beatles. It's a Paul track and I love the piano and brass on it. It's almost three different songs rolled into one. Three genius songs at that!
your guilty pleasure song
ABBA - S.O.S.
Some may think this is a guilty pleasure but I think it's great! It's just so catchy!
your ultimate heartbreak song
The Band - It Makes No Difference
I don't really have a record that I listened to with a broken heart. Not sure if it's wise to listen to a good song in that state. However a song by The Band called «It Makes No Difference» is a particularily touching song about heartbreak and the such!
your party anthem
Marvin Gaye - I Heard It Through The Grapevine
The Stone Roses - Love Spreads
What a song! But my favourite dancefloor song would be The Stone Roses' «Love Spreads». That was the last song I shuffled my two left feet to!
first record you bought
Bon Jovi - These Days
The first record I bought was from a service station when I was around 8 years old. It was Bon Jovi's «These Days». I think I bought it because I liked the cover or something silly like that, but I enjoyed it at the time. I liked the massive overplayed guitar solos, to believe it or not!
a song that reminds your friends of you
Elmo - Elmo's Song
Well, I just asked a friend what song reminds him of me and the answer I got was «Elmo's Song» by Elmo from Sesame Street! Hopefully they don't think of me as a muppet! I'm hoping it's because they know I'm a big fan of Elmo and Sesame Street.
your sunday morning song
Squeeze
Well, that all depends on wheter it's sunny outside or raining or if im hungover ect. But last Sunday morning I listened to Squeeze and I was loving it!
a song you wish you'd written yourself
Bob Dylan - Up To Me
There are many songs I wish I had the talent or intellegence to write or the musical ability to pull off. So many! One recently I thought I wish I wrote was «Up To Me» by Bob Dylan. The lyrics are immense, humourous and stunning and perfectly delivered.
Art Brut
your ultimate heartbreak song Traveling Wilburys - Congratulations
are finally back. After their very promising debut they took some time to come back with an album that finally shows the full potential of what Johnny Jewel & co is capable of. Where «In The City» left off ...