the tartanpodcast videocast

The 1% Rule

2006-07-22T21:18:00.000+01:00

It's an emerging rule of thumb that suggests that if you get a group of 100 people online then one will create content, 10 will "interact" with it (commenting or offering improvements) and the other 89 will just view it.

read more | digg story

Mellow Monday 10

2006-06-07T08:56:00.000+01:00

Visit http://mellowmonday.thepodcastnetwork.com for show notes.
Visit http://forum.tartanpodcast.com to comment.
Download

tp91 - tartanpodcast #91 - never apologise for not liking everything

2006-06-05T10:13:00.000+01:00

Download (give it a wee right click, 'save as')

What on earth am I supposed to do with a podcast?

Me on MySpace

*4 CDs

Miss the Occupier - Never Tell

Acrnym - Their Hands Clasped Yrs and Mine

Freak Accident - You're the Reason

Bozilla - This is NOT New Sound

Boogi Lou Shou - Desperate Measures

Never apologise for not liking all of the music you hear on the tartanpodcast; you're not meant to. Some of it will be a challenge, your task is to listen, digest, comment.

The listener survey needs your help...

Scotcast Love

2006-06-01T09:40:00.000+01:00

I've got a page on Scotcast.net, which is proving to be a great resource for Scottish podcasts.

If you can give the tartanpodcast some love over there I'd really appreciate it - click through to my Scotcast page here, throw down a vote, write a review!

Your reward will be great....

Mellow Monday 9

2006-05-30T18:48:00.000+01:00

Play

tp90 - reposted

2006-05-27T21:24:00.000+01:00

tp90 - tartanpodcast #90

2006-05-24T06:35:00.000+01:00

Play

Download

Oswald - Home

The Mocha Nights - Metroman City & Hairspray Hustle

Frightened Rabbit - Behave

They are very good, trust me; I'm a podcaster

Alsyon Bell - Daisy

The Mole - Bangrahan

The Eisenhowers - Jigsaw

Daily Source Code episode refered to.

Muriel Gray

tp89 - tartanpodcast #89

2006-05-18T07:02:00.000+01:00

Play

[audio:"http://media.libsyn.com/media/tartanpodcast/tp89_-_tartanpodcast89.mp3]

Download (right click, save)

Subscribe via iTunes (dead easy)

Don't be a sheep.

I don't talk about this in the podcast, but can anyone advise me on how I could put out a live tartanpodcast, i.e. something I could record AND stream at the same time, therefore allowing you guys to listen live?

Frightened Rabbit - Go Go Girls

Kings Die Kings - Erosion

Team Salt - More Brightness

Evan Crichton - Cracks

Finniston - Hold Your Hand

Buy a t-shirt!

What's going on? Libsyn produce a list of the hot podcasts on their servers and this morning the tartanpodcast was #2...! WhaAAaaaT?!

Mellow Monday Show #6 from The Podcast Network

2006-05-08T09:19:00.000+01:00

Play

Mellow Monday Show #5

2006-05-05T15:02:00.000+01:00

tartanpodcastvideo6

2006-05-01T20:49:00.000+01:00

Another iPod ready video from the tartanpodcast.

Lance Anderson Podcast Experiment - hear it live!

2006-01-31T06:51:00.000Z

Be part of the Experiment!

If you can't see the LAPE "live" you can hear it on our "Live Audio Stream" provided by our media partner JKC Media. This special feature will allow a worldwide audience the opportunity to interact with this historic event.

You can order you stream at our sister site PodcastLive.co.uk for $5

click here to order

..and the winner is...

2006-01-30T20:29:00.000Z

Mark: My Words.

Thanks, PH.

And thanks to everyone else for their suggestions.

Suggestions need for name of a column

2006-01-29T08:59:00.001Z

The Brits are producing their own podcast magazine, and I'm contributing a column for it; nothing lengthy...

I've decided to, for the most part, take a skewed look at podcasting and attempt to call things as they are.

What I need is a name for the column, any suggestions?

Suggestions need for name of a column

2006-01-29T08:59:00.000Z

tp76 - tartanpodcast#76 - fat hippy records part 2

2006-01-27T16:03:00.000Z

www.fathippyrecords.co.uk for details on all the bands played.

Email me @ tartanpodcast@gmail.com with the answer to the competition questions. Valid entries must have 'fat hippy records' in the subject line!

The Boy Lacks Patience

2006-01-24T18:37:00.000Z

Played by myself and Steven Finnie here on the tartanpodcast, and supporting Amplifico later in February Christopher Murty's musical persona The Boy Lacks Patience is releasing his debut album 'Ill Advised' on Saturday 28th January.

My copy arrived today and I'm very, very impressed. If you're a fan of the sleepy sunday show this an album you need to own.

It'll be available to buy on Saturday 28th January and listen out for Christopher's appearance on the all new tartanpodcast soon.

Podshow

2006-01-23T15:10:00.000Z

If you listen to the Daily Source Code you will have heard on Monday 23rd's show that I'm no longer part of the Podshow network. This was instigating by me, and managment complied with my wish to leave.

I've noticed that there's been some speculation regarding this since it happened last Thursday (19th January), and I'm happy to verify the rumours - the tartanpodcast is 100% independant again.

What will this mean for the future of the tartanpodcast?

In simple terms, less podcasts per week. Part of my contract with Podshow meant producing 3 shows per week and while they'd given me written grace from producing the 3 shows, I still felt I had to pull my weight. After all, everyone else was. So I'd continued putting out as many shows as I could, factoring in the little things like earning a living and being a capable father and husband. But when I looked at the tartanpodcast with a critical eye I could see a reduction in quality and that was due to me spending little time preparing the podcast in advance.

Now that I'm in the same boat as people like Dan Klass, Lance Anderson, Scott Fletcher, Brad Pendegraph and many other independant podcasting-for-fun-with-the-hope-of-it-becoming-something-more-serious guys, I can podcast as and when I'm able to.

As an aside, and this is something I'm going to blog about soon, more than one person has commented to me that they didn't listen to all 3 shows per week anyway...

Another reason for my leaving Podshow's fold was the new distribution network. I'm not sure how much information about this network is already out in the 'wild' so I won't go into the mechanics of what I understand it to be. That being said, what I do know about it didn't fit in with the direction I want to take the tartanpodcast. So I felt it was prudent to leave before the network was up and running, with the tartanpodcast incorporated into it.

I realise this may mean I lose out on sponsorship deals and advertising $s, but that doesn't matter when compared with the feeling of excitment and optimism I have looking ahead to bringing you the 'all new' tartanpodcast.

What the format of the new tartanpodcast be?
It will - hopefully - be with you once a week, it'll be about 45 minutes long (I'd make it a neat 49 minutes if I thought PW Fenton would be in a position to play it on Sirius, but I can't foresee that happening), and will be more of a Scottish independant music magazine-style show. With the sad passing of the sleepy sunday show*, the all new tartanpodcast will be available for download on Sunday evenings (conditions apply..) so that you'll have it for your commute on Mondays. The first 10-15 minutes or so will be in keeping with the sleepy sunday show's ethos, so you'll still be hearing the best mellow and laid back music I can lay my hands on to break you into the working week. The rest of the all new show will be dedicated to the Scottish independant music scene, featuring in depth looks at the most exciting bands in Scotland, exploring different genres, regular pieces contributed by the bands themselves, interviews, gig guides, gig reviews and more.

I'm exciting about this development and I hope you'll stay subscribed and tell your friends to subscribe etc etc. I don't have the marketing clout of other podcasters and podcast distribution networks, I'm confident in the loyalty and support of you guys to stick with me and to spread the word.

Failte!

*Note; please trust me on this, the sleepy sunday show may not be coming out anymore, but the new format will make up for it, you have my word.

update yer bookmarks!

2006-01-20T07:18:00.000Z

As you'll notice, having ended up here rather than my soothing blue themed site, that you need to update your bookmarks; http://www.tartanpodcast.com is the only place to find Scotland's indie music podcast on the 'net.

Oh, and while you're sorting out your bookmarks, add http://tartanblog.blogspot.com and http://www.scottishpodcasts.com

Julien Smith is trying to hook me up with some hosting that will allow me to get another WordPress site, so hopefully I'll be ditching the blogger site and bringing the soothing blue hues again...

Remember, to receive each episode of the (new and improved) tartanpodcast*, subscribe to http://feeds.feedburner.com/Tartanpodcast

*new and improved; when I return from my hardware enforced absence the tartanpodcast will have a new format which I hope you'll find improved over the old format. Conditions apply.

tp75 - tartanpodcast#75 with Lance Anderson

2006-01-17T16:52:00.000Z

What a privilege to have pioneering storytelling podcaster Lance Anderson from Verge of the Fringe on the tartanpodcast today.

We play 3 tracks and talk about how podcasting has changed his life.

Play

Support

Blog

Kasino - Never See
Hotrod Cadets - Chase Me Down the Street
The Human Value - Kill Pangs

Other links;
The Bitterest Pill
The Hollywood Podcast
The Story Salon
Handwritten Theatre
LAPE

tpsss30 - sleepy sunday show #30

2006-01-17T16:51:00.000Z

Since recording the 1st sleepy sunday show back in May at 6.40am that particular morning there have been 29 sleepy sunday shows. This is the 30th. A minor landmark in this changing world we live in.

But back to reality.

Play

Support

Blog

Green Peppers - Blink of an Eye
Joe Kennedy - Melissa, Aged 4
Samantha Murphy - Come Back to Me
The Freak Accident - You're the Reason

Scottish Podcast Clan
Electrical Language Podcast
Cruisin' With Susan Podcast

tp74 - tartanpodcast#74

2006-01-12T08:51:00.000Z

Part 1 of 2

Play

Support

Blog

Fat Hippy Records on the tartanpodcast.

All the bands can be contacted via Fat Hippy Records - email them here and click to their website.

Listen to part 2 for details on how to win CDs from every artist you hear!

produced by

Subscribe to the tartanpodcast

Subscribe to the tartanblog

tp72 - tartanpodcast #72 - hosted by Alastair Bishop

2006-01-10T09:20:00.000Z

This is slightly out of sequence in that tp73 was released last week. Anyway, enjoy, another great look behind the scenes of writing, producing and recording music in Scotland.

For full details please email Alastair and be sure to check out the Hotrod Cadets site and buy their excellent album Breaking Up.

I've asked Alastair to - as and when - produce similar podcasts like this for the tartanpodcast - stay subscribed.
Play

Support

Blog

tpsss29 - sleepy sunday show#29

2006-01-08T10:22:00.000Z

Play

Support

Blog

Samantha Murphy - Where Do We Go From Here
Email her
Buy her music
Rosewood - Where Do We Go From Here
Email the band
Buy their music
Grant Lyle - Come Alive
Email the band
Buy their music
Phroyter - There's Always Someone Else
Email the band
Buy their music

Other links:
Lance Anderson
Lance Anderson Podcast Experiment
Scottish Podcast Clan

Cruisin' With Susan

Electrical Language Podcast

produced by

Subscribe to the tartanpodcast

Subscribe to the tartanblog

tartanpodcast LIVE!

2006-01-04T16:47:00.000Z

I need feedback from you guys;

Tartanpodcast LIVE! looks to be going ahead on 24th June 2006 at Westway's Crash the Venue.

The feedback I need from you is who plans to attend? This is to get a rough idea of the numbers of listeners to the tartanpodcast that will be there - or who want to be there.

We don't have a ticket price yet, but it will be less than £10.

The bands on board?

The Twisted Melons
Finniston
Dropkick
Amplifico
Hotrod Cadets
Maeve O'Boyle
Hollow Horse

Bear in mind, this is a first - the first tartanpodcast LIVE! event, the chance to see some of your favourite indie Scottish bands on stage together.

So, if you plan on being there, please leave a comment here on the website.

Recommended - Handwritten Theatre

2006-01-04T09:05:00.000Z

Joseph Dougherty 's new podcast is almost upon us - Handwritten Theatre.

Subscribe early to avoid disappointment...

tp73 - tartanpodcast#73

2006-01-04T08:31:00.000Z

Play

Support

Blind Pew

Email the band
Buy their music

We Traded Magic For Science

Email the band
Buy their music

See above for details

ATM Podcast

Sound bed - Derek K Miller off the Podsafe Music Network.

Problems with sss28

2006-01-02T11:51:00.000Z

If you've had problems with the mp3 file for sleepy sunday show #28 please download it again; it seems that the whole file wasn't uploaded.

It should now be fixed - don't miss it; the closing track is a beauty.

tpsss28 - sleepy sunday show #28

2006-01-01T16:02:00.000Z

Play

Support

1st tartanpodcast of 2006 and 4 great bands from Scotland.

Sisa

Email the band

Laki Mera

Email the band

Quinn

Email the band
Buy their music

Phroyter

Email the band
Buy their music

I'M BACK!

2005-12-29T13:00:00.000Z

After weeeeeeeeeeks off from podcasting I'm finally back. Refreshed and invogorated after a week in Arisaig (see Flickr for some of the pics), I'm ready to take on the podcasting world again.

Gloves are off this time. No more Mr Nice Guy.

Ok, maybe I'm joking about that part.

As you'll see, the site is back here on Podshow's server. Some of you may know I have issues with how Podshow is handling its talent, the '3 shows a week' for no money etc. But after long and open discussions with the Music Gang, my podcast brethren, I'm going to stick it out with them. At least for another few months.
We are after all approaching a bright, new, shiny year so here's hoping things start falling into place.

In the meantime, The Scottish Podcast Clan is alive and kicking and I urge all of you to check it out and listen to the other Scottish podcasts listed on the site. More will be added in due course, including Amplificast, the podcast from Amplifico.

A technorati search showed up what looks to be a rival Scottish podcast site, but note; we were doing it first ;-)

Here's a write-up on the release of The Scottish Podcast Clan.

Other news - the tartanblog is up and I'll be posting most of my podcast experiences, thoughts, opinions and news over there, including developments with tartan media productions, which was officially 'launched' earlier in the month. So please subscribe to the RSS feed.

I recorded the first SaltireCast, a project I'm working on for Glasgow Caledonian University. My plan is to have 'channels' that you can subscribe to via the tartanpodcast site, and the SaltireCast will be the first, all being well.

Look out for a podcast of the workshop/presentation I delivered a couple of weeks ago here in Glasgow; it'll be made available via tartanblog.

Shows coming up in the next few months;

Spotlights on Maeve O'Boyle and Quinn

Interviews with Lance Anderson and Paul Story

Live appearance at the Lance Anderson Podcast Experiment, along with Top of the Pods and Hotrod Cadets - book your tickets now!

Tartanpodcast LIVE! I can confirm - officially - that there's going to be a LIVE tartanpodcast event next Summer (2oo6). Details will follow very soon.

tp70 - tartanpodcast#70

2005-12-20T18:49:00.000Z

Sorry, no show notes as I'm on holiday and managed to get connected to the net via the phone line for the cottage's pay phone hehe.

Email the guest host, Alastair Bishop for details.

Play

tp71 - tartanpodcast #71 - hosted by Donna from Amplifico

2005-12-16T08:44:00.000Z

Play

Track 1: All Original Rock by Stop Starts

Email singer Matt: matt_hassel@hotmail.com

Track 2: I Am A Logical Man by How To Swim

http://www.howtoswim.net

Track 3: Same Old by Ordinaryson

http://www.myspace.com/ordinaryson

Track 4: Everything Is Everyone's Fault by Multiplies

http://www.multiplies.tk

http://www.gomultiplies.com

Huge thanks to Donna for hosting the show today. Her band, Amplifico, has its own podcast - you can get information about it from their site.

No Sleepy Sunday Show

2005-12-15T22:23:00.000Z

SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT:

Despite what I say on tartanpodcast #69 there will be no Sleepy Sunday Show this week (18th Dec) nor 25th Dec. As I've mentioned (at least I think I've mentioned) I'm on holiday.

But!

Donna and Alastair will be looking after you till the end of the year.

Keep your eye on the tartanblog as I'll be adding to that.

Spotted in Tesco, in Perth

2005-12-14T20:48:00.000Z

This was put on the blog tonight;

Hi Mark,

Seeing this reminded me of how I first heard of the tartanpodcast.

I was in Tesco (supermarket for those outside the UK) up in Perth in July and saw a young boy with the t-shirt on. Wonder if any of the products have been spotted elsewhere and this has got you new listeners?

Kirsteen

Well, you'll never guess who that young boy was?

Cameron.

Kirsteen, who you saw in Perth that evening in Perth - because it was an evening, right? A Thursday evening? - was Cameron.

Amplifico - the podcast

2005-12-13T15:24:00.000Z

Stepping up to the podcast plate, here's Amplifico's podcast to go along with their blog, website and fantastic music.

Get details here.

tp69 - tartanpodcast #69

2005-12-12T18:13:00.000Z

Play

3 songs from independant Scottish artists, minimal chat. Moves at a brisk pace. Don't hang about, play it/download it/subscribe to it/vote for it now.

The Scottish Enlightenment - Metaphysics of Despair
Support Scottish indie music
Email them
Buy their music

Azzuri - Summer Lovin'
Support Scottish indie music
Email them
Buy their music

The Acute - A Moments Brightness
Support Scottish indie music
Email them
Buy their music

Drive By Argument - Lower Your Pieces (Demo)
Support Scottish indie music
Email them
Buy their music

Cider Spiders - Killer Police
Email them

Support Scottish independant artists - buy their music.

Member of the Scottish Podcast Clan

Tartan Store

2005-12-12T08:26:00.000Z

I keep forgetting about this, but there's tartanpodcast schwag to be had here...

BBC Soundbiters Quiz

2005-12-11T21:23:00.000Z

For those interested in hearing Ewan Spence and I on BBC Radio Scotland's Soundbiters quiz, the air date is Friday 23rd December 11.30am GMT.

I'll post a link nearer the time.

I will be on holiday when it's aired!

tpsss27 - sleepy sunday show #27

2005-12-11T13:00:00.000Z

Play

Limbeck - In Ohio
Big Jim - I Found Love
Northsouth - Overwhelmed
Email the band
Uncle Fritz - Ballad of the Lighthouse Keeper
His label

Interview with Uncle Fritz
Maeve O'Boyle - Love Aint Always Pretty
Email her

tartanblog

2005-12-10T21:07:00.000Z

Rather than putting a lot of extra stuff up here on the main tartanpodcast page I've decided to set up a tartanblog and you can find it here http://tartanblog.blogspot.com/

Please subscribe to it in your newsreader as it will be updated fairly regularly.
http://feeds.feedburner.com/Tartanblog

tpsls14 - Spotlight on Amplifico

2005-12-08T13:14:00.000Z

Play

Band of the hour, Amplifico, are in the tartanpodcast's spotlight this time.

Following hot on the heels of their segment on The World I'm pleased to bring you their spotlight show.

The band recorded their part over a month ago, so it's clear that when they say 'just the other day Clark Boyd' contacted them, this was in fact a few weeks past.

10p Mix
All Your Sins
Come Down
Real Low
Flutter
Like a Magnet
Homemade Hurricanes
Spitting Out Benchmarks
10p Mix

You can buy Amplico's music at their site, just click here

Support independant Scottish bands, buy their music.

The tartanpodcast is a member of the Scottish Podcast Clan

Support the tartanpodcast by getting it back into the top 50 at Podcast Alley!

Amplifico's spotlight show

2005-12-08T12:32:00.000Z

.
I'm almost finished editing Amplifico's spotlight show - this is only my 3rd attempt...I'm not a perfectionist or anything, but you want to do your best for the bands.

Anyway, it will be up later today, so remember to check your aggregator

Playing the drums and the mouthorgan. At the same time.

2005-12-07T23:25:00.000Z

I saw something reasonably remarkable tonight while sitting in a pub in Bath Street in Glasgow. No, it wasn't young people trying too hard to resemble Goldfrapp album covers , or the trying-too-hard-to-look-fashionably-scruffy-haircuts on young men in bum crack showing low slung jeans. It wasn't even the Saudi Arabian horse racing that was on the 3 large plasma tvs hung on 3 different walls in the pub. Nor was it the strange fellow with the just-out-of-bed hair (you know, all pushed up to one side and flattened from the back), bad teeth, pale denim jacket with dark hoodie under it, although all of these things were reasonably remarkable to someone like me who doesn't leave the house much after 7pm at night.

The reasonably remarkable thing that I witnessed tonight was someone playing the drums and the mouthorgan. At the same time.

The perpetrator of this feat was none other than Andrew from the Edinburgh-based band Dropkick. The band, having managed to secure the visa, had made the trip west (on a school night - Alastair's words) to play The Butterfly and the Pig, a pub on the odd side of Bath Street. I'd walked passed the basement pub everyday for a year when I worked for Barclays Stockbrokers at the Charing Cross end of Bath Street (300 Bath Street, Tay House - the building that goes over the motorway for those taking notes), but I'd never noticed it before.

Typically decked out for a Glasgow pub/venue/restaraunt; all battered sofas, raw wooden floors, black t-shirted bar staff and the aforementioned people trying too hard, the bands would be performing on a small 'stage' against a wall papered with sheet music. Directly behind the stage, i.e. right behind where the band would be performing, was a large plasma TV showing Champions League football. I was imagining people heckling the musicians, yelling at them to 'get oot ay the wey ay o the footie, an tha.'

That didn't happen, although there would perhaps have been call for it during the first band's set. I don't have their name to hand, although it would be fairly easy to retrieve. But I won't as I like to reserve the tartanpodcast for bands of quality. Yes. I am a snob. They were overly loud and their songs all sounded repetitively similar. They also managed to clear out, oh, most of the people in the pub.

This was borne out when a member of the bar staff whom I presume to have a managerial type position (this assumption is made based on her being at least 22) came over to one of the guys with the trying-too-hard-too-look-scruffy hairdos and proclaimed 'there's only 32 people left, this lot better not be as loud as the last lot'.

Those who had departed the pub had freed up seats near the stage and by the time Dropkick had "sound checked" - asking random drinkers to twiddle the nobs on the board till things sounded reasonable; no fault of Dropkick's, the sound guy had failed to show up - there was a cozy crowd in front of them.

They didn't disappoint, kicking off their set with Chastity Pyjamas, drummer Andrew on lead vocals and Alastair on guitar and harmonies. The applause was genuine and generous. There followed Gary Larsson Cartoon and Crisps and Irn Bru, among others.

Finishing up with Turn Off Your Radio (Turn Me On Instead), at one point the bassist (sorry, didn't get the rest of the band members' names - Alastair?) caught my eye and we had a shared grin at the lyrical content of the song, much of it probably lost due to the sound guy having a night-in.

Two highlights of the night; immediately after they finished their set, a guy rushed up to Andrew and asked if they had a CD for sale. He was, of course, American. Alastair and I had chatted briefly and we had agreed that their sound was particularly popular with Americans. (Inexplicable sidenote - Alastair offered me a Dropkick t-shirt, which I refused, for some reason. Perhaps the soda water and lime had gone to my head.)

The other highlight? Not, as Grant may assume, being asked to guard the Dropkick box - which I was and did and have photographic proof of - but rather seeing a drummer drum while playing a mouthorgan.

Remarkable.

Dropkick's music is available to purchase and download from www.dropkickmusic.co.uk

Soundbiters - the BBC Quiz

2005-12-07T16:06:00.000Z

As per my post last week, Ewan Spence has written up the events of that day at BBC Radio Scotland, with a little help from me.

Find his blog post here.

tp68 - tartanpodcast #68 - funk from Fife?

2005-12-07T06:37:00.000Z

Play
Creative Commons
Appalling good music, all written and produced in Scotland by Scottish bands.
It really isn't fair to the rest of the world...

Junkstar

Support Scottish indie bands

Email the band

Bozilla -

Support Scottish indie bands

Email the band

Buy their music

Junkstar

Support Scottish indie bands

Email the band

Amplifico on NPR

2005-12-07T06:26:00.000Z

Back in May I was honoured to have been asked by BBC technology reporter Clark Boyd to appear on The World. There's no doubt in my mind the level of exposure that my brief moment on his show brought the tartanpodcast; I'm still feeling it!

Clark heard Amplifico on the tartanpodcast, loved their music, contacted them, and last night Amplifico were the Global Hit on The World.

I sent the band an email to warn them to be ready for mega hits on the website and an inbox stuff with emails from North American IPs. I don't think they fully expected the response they'd get in just a few short hours.

Read Donna's blog post here

Listen to The World here

Subsribe to The World podcast here

Finniston on a charity CD Rom calendar

2005-12-06T22:12:00.000Z

I thought there was some sort of mistake when I got an email saying that the Finniston track 'Listen to Your Mother' was appearing on a calendar.

Of course, it's a CD Rom audio calendar.

Silly me.

It's for a good cause and the people behind it have asked me to give it a special mention.

Check it out/buy it here.

tartanpodcast public appearance

2005-12-06T18:55:00.000Z

Heh heh how pretentious does that sound?

Anyway, I'm heading out tomorrow night to see Dropkick live.

Details;
Wed 7th December 2005: Butterfly And Pig, Bath Street, Glasgow. With The People's Alibi and The Calderas. 8pm. Free entry.

I'll be there about 8.45pm or so, if you're in the Glasgow area head along and join me to hear one of Edinburgh's finest.

More details;

The Butterfly And The Pig

153 Bath Street
Glasgow
G2 4SQ

Train:	Charing Cross (Glasgow) (7 mins)
	Glasgow Central (7 mins)
	Glasgow Queen Street (8 mins)

Amplifico's Donna, the Isle of Skye and KT Tunstall

2005-12-06T09:18:00.000Z

Congratulations to Amplifico and Donna on this great news!

Singing in a Scottish Accent

2005-12-06T06:31:00.000Z

Sleepy Sunday Show #26 highlighted 3 groups who when singing do so - not in a faux American drawl - but rather in their own natural acccent.

As listeners to the tartanpodcast perhaps this is something you appreciated. Perhaps it's something that holds an appeal to you. Maybe you've even bought a CD of one of these bands because they sing in their own, Scottish accent.

Dropkick are one of those bands in question. And recently their CD 'Music to Watch Sheep By' was slated in a review in Marverick country music magazine.

Here's where you can see a scan of the article - zoom in!

Ok. Now what? Well, if you've enjoyed Dropkick's music, or that of any other Scottish performer who doesn't adopt an American accent when singing, why not write to the editor of the magazine and express yourself? You never know, they may print your letter...

Email him here;
editor@maverick-country.com

100 podcasts?

2005-12-05T08:38:00.000Z

I was counting up the tartanpodcast podcasts that are in iTunes and I counted up 100 episodes. Does anyone else get this? Have I crossed into triple figures (since March 20th 2005) without realising?

Do I get a badge or a certificate?

Well, well, I have been a busy bee, haven't I?

My Space?

2005-12-04T22:41:00.001Z

What on earth is all this My Space stuff? Ok, like a promo I realise everyone needs a My Space page these days. I've been signed up since..well..ages ago, and when people like Dan Klass start going on about their My Space page then you realise it's time to get yours sorted out.

But herein lies the problem; they look and act ugly. Granted, it's late Sunday night here in Scotland, so the whole of everything to the west of me is up and about and logged on and surfing My Space, thereby slowing the servers to a slow chug, but still. That doesn't mean it has to look so ugly. And the stuff people do to theirs! Hideous.

I admit it, I'm nearly 34. I don't think I'm in the demographic My Space is looking for.

Anyway, if you want to add me as a 'friend' [good grief] you can find me here - http://www.myspace.com/tartanmedia

tpsss26 - sleepy sunday show #26

2005-12-04T07:56:00.000Z

Play

Creative Commons
What do all these bands have in common?
Answer;

They're all Scottish. And they all sing in a Scottish accent.

Dropkick - Gary Larson Cartoon
Support Scottish indie music -
Email the band
Buy their music

Hotrod Cadets - Lost & Found
Support Scottish indie music -
Email the band
Buy their music

The Midden - Something Else
Support Scottish indie music -
Email the band
Buy their music

Dropkick - I Heard You Say
Support Scottish indie music -
Email the band
Buy their music

Links:

Whole Lot of Nonsense Podcast

Scottish Podcast Clan

It's a new month, so votes at Podcast Alley are appreciated!

how is this working out for you?

2005-12-04T07:53:00.000Z

As you can see I've moved to a blogger site. I admit, it's not as slick as word press, but there you go.

Please let me know if you have any problems using the new site, especially problems when trying to comment on the posts.

tartanpodcast@gmail.com

tp67 - tartanpodcast #67

2005-12-03T16:08:00.000Z

Play
In the car again today and I bring you 12 songs from Scottish bands! Well, all are Scottish apart from one, but even they're signed to a Scottish label.

Theoceanfloor

Evangeline

Billy Bates

Alan Emslie

Theoceanfloor

Eric & The Bunny Boilers

The Gina Rowlands Band

Josephine

Miss the Occupier - External Male

The Last September

Please post feedback here on the website.
Support Scottish bands! Buy their music!
Play today's show

So, what's been happening? #2

2005-12-03T16:07:00.000Z

I last posted a detailed review of what's been happening here in 'tartanpodcastland' back in September. It's time for an update.

The answer to 'so, what's been happening?' is a simple 'a lot'. Clearly, flying to southern California for 3 days is a big deal to most people outside the US, so it's safe to say that the Portable Media Expo & Podcast Conference has been both a highlight and a watershed for me. Fantasing back in May about attending to actually being there seems like a lifetime, and sitting here 3 weeks after the event (and having weird Expo flashbacks) it seems like a further lifetime. Needless to say it was tiring and a bit stressful - both for me, but mostly for Gail and the children - but a landmark for me as a podcaster.

My intention back in May was to attend the Expo and market the tartanpodcast. Well, the reality, as it panned out, was a little different. I attended the Expo, but did little marketing. There are a number of reasons for this. One of the biggest ones is jetlag. I really wasn't myself until, well, the last day. So I wasn't on my game, and there's this whole thing about being away from all that's familiar (i.e. home) that tends to sap one's confidence. Just between us I'd hoped that my attendance would create more a 'stir' than it in fact did. I mean, I'd flown all the way over from Scotland! (Ewan Spence was there too, although he'd bundled it in with a business trip.) The upshot was that Ewan was mistaken for me, according to him, dozens of times. I was identified as me, probably twice.

If I'd had my confident head on I'd have got myself, and the tartanpodcast, noticed more. And that takes me to one of the other reasons I did very little marketing; it's just not me. I've turned down a TV interview and national press coverage in the past. I really don't like being in the limelight. The upshot is I don't like having to push myself forward.

A few highlights from the Expo;

meeting all the people I'd hoped to meet, bar one or two

hanging out at the pool with the music gang recording a show

Saturday night in the bar at the hotel - lots of fun and laughter and plans being made

Lance Anderson and his partner Marisols' unbelievable kindness to someone who was, in essence, a stranger to them; me. They took me on a great whistle-stop tour of LA, which included me seeing the actual location of a piece of art we have hangong on our livingroom wall

Visiting Dan Klass at his home and seeing exactly where he records the Bitterest Pill (this was a question he'd been asked as the live show he'd done on the Friday night at the Marriot - "what are you looking at when you record?" - a weird fascination many of us have of where our favourite podcasters podcast from)

Special thanks go to Marilyn Madsen for her generousity for part sponsoring my trip, CC and Laura Chapman for a great breakfast in the Pulp Fiction diner (thanks from Gail and Cameron for the maple syrup, too), John from the M Show for the In and Out burger and shake (the best shake I've ever had), Canis Lupis for being such a stalwart and true podcast brother and for saying I own a country and Chance for greeting me warmly in the lobby of the Marriot.

If you're looking for a more indepth coverage of the Expo, simply search this site for 'expo'.

When I returned home a few things developed quite rapidly. Firstly I got an email from a listener to say that the tartanpodcast was on the front page of iTunes. Well, they were sort of right. iTunes front page contained a section dedicated to music podcasts, and if you clicked through to page 3 of the list then you'd see the great little tartanpodcast iTunes logo, created by Andrew Pallister. So, yeah, sort of on the front page...No surge in subscribers resulted...

Within in 20 minutes or so of returning home from the Expo I got a call from a neighbour who works for Caledonian University in Glasgow to say that they'd been listening to the tartanpodcast in work and that they wanted to meet me.

Long story short, I met twice with some people at the University and they've appointed me as an associate of the Spoken Word department. Through time it's hoped I can consult with them on producing podcasts in the University. I've also had some encouraging correspondance with the Vice Principal of the University who was enthusiastic about some podcasting ideas I have...watch this space. Perhaps the pipe dream of starting Tartan Media Productions may become a reality. We'll wait and see...

This brings me on to the subject of 'monetisation'; a term people seem to loathe. Perhaps because it's not really a proper word. Anyway, within a week or so of the Expo 5 of the 7 music podcast signed to Podshow received sponsorship/ads. We knew this was going to happen because we'd been told that the whole of Podshow was receiving sponsorship. Well, it didn't quite pan out that way. Neither the tartanpodcast, In Over Your Head nor Extra Super Action Show received sponsorship. Explanation as to why we were overlooked, ignored, passed over, whatever wasn't forthcoming, at least for me, until a couple of days ago. It seems the sponsors were advertising American specific products. I could point out that 60% of you guys are in North America, but what's the point, right?

Anyway, this opens up another topic; will I run American ads? I've listened to the music podcasts that have been given this sponsorship and to be honest, the ads are terrible. What if I'm offered sponsorship that means running ads that jar or sit out of kilter with the whole vibe of the tartanpodcast? Obviously it'd be great if I could turn my nose up at them. So, we'll see what happens.

I've been told on good authority that UK companies are brokering deals. Perhaps I'll be offered UK sponsorship? Again, we'll see what happens.

Looking to the future I'd really like to keep the tartanpodcast advertisment free. The tartanpodcast is advertisment free at the moment and there are two way that will allow me to keep it that way;
me being able to earn some sort of living via podcasting outwith the tartanpodcast (see above), or via listener voluntary subscriptions (see the right-hand side of this page). Again, we'll see what happens.

When I was in California I got an email from a producer at BBC Radio Scotland asking if I'd like to take part in a radio quiz. Of course I was happy too - more details will follow, also see previous post.. Then a week after arriving home I was contacted by another BBC producer wanting some input on podcasting. Now, as a podcaster I've no interest in being a radio DJ, never have done. But by the same token when an establishment such as the BBC knows your name, so to speak, and contacts you to be on a quiz show or wants your input on podcasting and where the medium is going, etc, it's sorta nice and validating. Perhaps that comment has revealed me as being a shallow charlatan...but, hey, I grew up with BBC radio. Anyway, I put my 'brass neck' on and asked one of said producers why it's me they contact about podcasting. Her reply was that I'm the person whose name comes up.

On the subject of BBC Radio, Tom Morton of the Tom Morton show on BBC Radio Scotland, himself a champion of new Scottish music, gave me a great quote that you can find on the top right-hand side of this page. It came about because he'd misunderstood my request for a quote for a press release some of us are putting together; he thought the press release was about the tartanpodcast, when in reality it's about something completely different. Details will follow...

Finally, a busy month is coming up; on the 15th I'm running a podcast workshop (free of charge) - more details as they come - and on the 17th we're off on holiday for a week. Normal service will continue as best as I can.

Thanks for staying subscribed, for voting at Podcast Alley (new month..), for your feedback and emails, for supporting the Scottish indie music scene and for your loyality. It means a lot.

tpsss25 - sleepy sunday show #25

2005-11-28T16:37:00.000Z

Play
Guest hosted by Donna Maciocia from Amplifico

Donkeys & Elephants by Gecko 3
Buy their recently release EP 'Mentum' on their site

The Money Song by Spun Rivals
Track available for free download on their site:

Come What May by Staccato Set
(Staccato Set aren't as active as frontman Ziggy's band Found so he asked me to forward listeners primarily to the Found site where details about both artists can be found...)
http://www.surfacepressure.co.uk/found/
http://www.myspace.com/foundtheband
http://www.myspace.com/staccatoset

Morning by Cayto
Debut Album !Blunderbuss! just released to critical acclaim of much of the national press, buy via their site.

Sing A Song by Essay Like Nephew
Free MP3s up for download on their site

Big thanks to Donna for standing in, I'll be back in a couple of days with another tartanpodcast.

the tartanpodcast in Podcasting For Dummies

2005-11-28T16:36:00.000Z

A smile was brought to my face when I opened a copy of 'Podcasting for Dummies', flicked to the 'independant music podcasts' section and noted that of the three the authors recommend, the tartanpodcast and Podshow stablemate Bandtrax podcast are included.

Thanks guys!

tpexpo - tartanpodcast expo interviews

2005-11-28T16:35:00.000Z

50.29mins

Play

Creative Commons

Some interviews with podcast-type people attending the Portable Media Expo and Podcast Conference.

Joe Deon

Gary Leland

Eric Rice

Dan Klass

Dave Slusher

Karla

Franklin McMahon

Michael Goeheghan

Libsyn

the tartanpodcast is Dazed & Confused magazine

2005-11-28T16:34:00.000Z

Thanks to Jon for the pic.

Quote from the article;
"If video killed the radio star, one wonders what podcasting might do. Annoyingly, Chris Moyle's job is probably safe, but it has certainly bred a new crop of underground heroes.
(re the tartanpodcast) - One of the best new music podcasts championing Scotland's great unsigned and the fruit of local independant label's loins."

tp66 - tartanpodcast #66 - my top 5

2005-11-15T18:27:00.000Z

Here's my top 5 tracks submitted by Scottish bands.

5 Kasino - Never See

4 Gum - Is Everybody Happy

3 Finniston - Hold Your Hand (Live)

2 Amplifico - Combing My Soul For More

1 Electrum - Interferance

Disagree? Well, add a comment to this post with you top 5 songs from those I've played on the tartanpodcast.
I'll choose a winner and play your selection.

Play today's show

Subscribe to the show (FREE)

tpsss23 - sleepy sunday show#23 - guest host PW Fenton

2005-11-15T18:25:00.000Z

I'm still in Los Angeles, at this moment hanging out in Lance Anderson's apartment.

Thankfully PW Fenton is covering for me this weekend, so here's his guest slot on the tartanpodcast's sleepy sunday show.

the Midden - Man of War

Hollow Horse - Love Can Be a Lost Cause

the Midden - Wild Mountain Thyme

Enter the Haggis -

I'll update the shownotes later.

Play today's show

Subscribe to the show (FREE)

PLEASE NOTE:
The tartanpodcast is protected by as Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 2.5 License.
Please don't take the tartanpodcast and put ads in it.

In my absence, talking among yourselves

2005-11-09T18:24:00.000Z

As I'll be away for a few days, and then taking a wee break afterwards, perhaps you'd like to chat among yourselves?

If that appeals, head over to the tartanpodcast forum with its fetching comic book styling. You can find it here.

Appetite Whetter;

Top 10 reasons for staying subscribed to the tartanpodcast until at least the end of the year

Guest hosting from Alastair Bishop, including a behind the scenes look at how some of your favourite Scottish bands write and record, what inspires them and what they're listening to

Guest hosting from acoustic pin-up Steven Finnie. Steven will be bringing you a Sleepy Sunday Show.
If you haven't purchased a copy of 'Popular Music That Will Live Forever' yet, then you need to be quick, the band are down to single figures - it's an EP that's set to become a collector's item, IMO.
UPDATE:Finniston now have a forum.
Guest hosting from Donna Maciocia from Amplifico. Another unique insight into the Scottish indie music scene, listen out for a Sleepy Sunday Show from Donna.
Guest hosting from those two whacky English-type persons, Jon & Rob from the one and only - onthefrontpageofitunesbuti'mnotjealous -Top of the Pods. Ah, what laughs will be in store for us when these two craaaaazy pranksters take over the tartanpodcast mic? You'll just have to wait and find out!
[Mark has his lawyers on standby]
Ever wondered what my top 5 tunes would be? Stay subscribed to find out; Mark's top 5 songs as played on the tartanpodcast is coming up very soon

Another marathon. After the positive response to tartanpodcast 64, expect another longer podcast with loads of great music stuffed into it

A Spotlight show on Maeve O'Boyle

A two part Spotlight show on Aberdeen indie label Fat Hippy Records
A Spotlight show on Amplifico

My experiences flying half-way around the world to attend the Expo

So, what can I say? Please stay subscribed - and while you're doing that, tell a friend! - the tartanpodcast is going to continue bringing you the best independant music from Scotland.

tp65 - tartanpodcast#65

2005-11-07T17:33:00.000Z

Another week, another tartanpodcast - showcasing Scotland's independant musical talents and barely a bagpipe in sight. Well, maybe just one.

Soss Band - Pawky Adam Glen & 4,000,000 of The Biscuits
Soss being the gaelic for a coarse mixture or mess
Email the band
They've got music you can buy and download - go to their site for details.

Thee Moths - The Worst
Something completely different on the tartanpodcast
Email the band

Amplifico - Just To Pause This - a tartanpodcast exlusive
Big thanks to Donna from the band for recording this especially for the tartanpodcast - look out for a spotlight show from the band soon.
This track can be downloaded for free from their website.
Email the band
This is where Donna recorded the song!

Play today's show

Subscribe to the show (FREE)

Expect things to be quiet for a few days while I'm away at the Expo.

PLEASE NOTE:
The tartanpodcast is protected by a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 2.5 License.
Please don't take the tartanpodcast and put ads in it.

tpsss22 - sls12 - calamateur

2005-11-07T17:07:00.000Z

Combining the sleepy sunday show with a spotlight on an artist whose music is perfect for a sleepy sunday show.

Andrew Howie is the man behind Calamateur, and the sleepy sunday show today puts the spotlight on him.

Visit his website here.

Visit Autoclave Records here.

Visit Is This Music? here.

Buy 'Son of Everyone' EP, music from which you heard on today's show

Order your copy of Is This Music? on-line;
keep up to date with the latest from Scotland's indie music scene

Play today's show

Subscribe to the show (FREE)

PLEASE NOTE:
The tartanpodcast is protected by as Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 2.5 License.
Please don't take the tartanpodcast and put ads in it.