Muso's Guide - Displaying items by tag: Book Yer Ane Fest

Book Yer Ane Fest X, Buskers/The Firefly, Dundee

07 December, 2016
Published in Live

Apologies in advance as this year's experience of BYAF was truncated due to football rescheduling, meaning none of Friday night's acts were seen - sorry about that.

When it comes to writing about the rest of the event, the tenth of its ilk, one's kind of scuppered to begin with as, having read MTAT leading light Derrick Johnston's history of & thoughts on the festival in the accompanying pamphlet (along with contributions from associated folk from across the Ecossemo & punk scene) it's hard to better what those so intimately & emotionally involved with it over the years have to say. As you've not got access to their heartfelt words though I'll do my best.

This year’s weekender saw the downstairs shows in The Firefly including full bands in the proceedings, rather than just solo acts so the air there was rent by some of the heaviest acts of Saturday’s bill – Carson Wells, The Burnt Tapes, Mug and Aberdoom’s mighty BOAK. Earplugs a must for every set but all to the good as you can’t play that sort of stuff quietly. At other times during the day Canada’s Chris Snelgrove was a good draw down here, as were Glasgow’s Brian Curran whilst Joyce Delaney were as enjoyable as when last seen at Pop South! In January.

Upstairs in Buskers, whilst the insanity of Get It Together’s performance was missed (but easily imagined from the debris), Sink Alaska pulled it out of the bag despite the need for a short notice drummer, Bratakus were an enjoyably cheerful new discovery (along with sporting the finest headgear of the weekend) and Elk Gang, PMX, Bed Of Wasps, Lachance, The Kimberley Steaks and The Cut Ups all turned in absorbing sets. Revenge Of The Psychotronic Man were probably one of the most engaging acts of the event (& certainly the most rubberfaced) with one of the widest ranges in subject matter – Dadaism to Corbyn via Space & good old booze, whilst Billy Liar was an undisputed highlight, especially for the all-star line-up of Paper Rifles, Chrissy Barnacle & Freddy Fudd Pucker which joined him for his final track.

Closing things out on Saturday came the reunion of ska punkers Joey Terrifying and the ever entertaining old guard of Oi Polloi.

Sunday, as was the case last year, for some reason saw a smaller crowd throughout the bulk of the day but the bands were undaunted. Emo’s usually a description that sets me heading for the door but the Dundeemo of The Barents Sea (reformed just for today & sporting two stand-ins) proved to be one of today’s highlights, the others being Chrissy Barnacle’s full set in The Firefly and yet more emo-tinged stuff from Terrafraid. Bulking things out for me before the last two late nights and another day on my feet took their toll were Salem Street & their Clash/’50s influenced punk, intense sets from Clearer The Sky and XharoldshitmanX, The Sparrowhawk Orkestrel & the brazen cheek of Torturo Nervosa (making it a family show with the drummer’s 15 year old daughter joining on guitar for a number).

Another cracking weekend of punk and more from the MTAT team, amply upholding all they hold dear and benefiting Tayside Mountain Rescue, Insight Counselling and The Royal Life Saving Society in the process.

In Profile : Black Lake Records

11 August, 2016
Published in Interviews

Continuing our series of interviews with some of the smaller/independent players in the record releasing business this month we focus on Aberdeenshire-based punk/hardcore/whatever label Black Lake. Founder & head honcho Ewan Cameron was kind enough (not to forget extremely swift) to respond to a few questions that we sent his way.

MG: I suppose the first question has to be how long has Black Lake been on the go & what prompted you to set up the label in the first place? Which is really two questions ...

EC: The label started out in March/April 2012 so just over 4 years ago. I've collected records since I was 13/14 so vinyl has always been something I've had an interest in. In terms of actually starting the label, though, I basically saw what some friends were doing with labels at the time in Aberdeen (Tuff Wax and Bitter North) and thought that would be something I'd also like to do, if I were able to. So I thought about the bands I knew and the people I wanted to try and help and set out to do that.

MG: Where does the label name come from? Given your location I'd have expected Black Loch. And is there any significance in the font you've chosen? It's pretty striking; right off the bat it's a statement of intent.

EC: It's a Twin Peaks reference. The lake on which Laura Palmer's body is found is called Black Lake. Also the lake in Harry Potter is called the Black Lake as well, which I don't object to, but it was always more of a Twin Peaks thing for me. There is no significance to the font at all. I basically just worked on something that could be used as a brand logo, or something instantly recognisable and that's where the double-stroke A came into play.

MG: Would you say the scene you operate within is healthy currently (to the extent, say, that sales are rising) and is the label itself enough of a business to be a full-time job or, like this site, is it more of a hobby which pays for itself and no more?

EC: For the last two years the label has been my job. Though not particularly lucrative, it did enough to get me by so I can't fault that. Business can always be better though, and I have noticed a slump in sales/activity in the last 6 months or so compared with the last couple of years, but the record sales industry will always come in peaks and troughs, so it's not something I'm worried about.

MG: Little, I expect, has felt as good as getting the label's first release out for sale but can you give a couple of examples of discs you've been particularly pleased to have helped see the light of day?

EC: The Brighter Arrows record Dreamliner was a very cool project for me. I am a big fan of how Colin plays guitar and was a big Phoenix Bodies fan back when they were on the go so being able to put out their record was really fun for me. I also was really excited to do the UK/EU pressing of Between Bodies for The World Is A Beautiful Place & I Am No Longer Afraid To Die. I've been friends with Derrick since they first started out and seeing how they progressed from the first demo to that spoken word record has been awesome and inspiring. I also really enjoyed getting to do some wacky colourways on that one.

MG: I first heard about Black Lake at last year's Book Yer Ane Fest in Dundee - will you be involved with that event's 10 year show in December?

EC: I'll be there again flogging my wares, and also both my bands BOAK and Clearer The Sky should be playing, which will be a blast, I'm sure.

MG: Lastly, what releases can we look forward to from you in this second half of 2016?

EC: Honestly, I have nothing planned right now. I'll be moving to Berlin for a few months at the start of 2017 so I need to work on having enough money for that when it comes around.

Many thanks to Ewan. We'll likely be covering Make That A Take's Book Yer Ane Fest again this year (link here) so keep an eye out for reports of him onstage rather than in the day job.