A young and talented four-piece from Prestonpans, The Rah’s have created quite a buzz in their short existence to date.

Taking cues from contemporary and classic guitar-based bands, they have nevertheless created their own anthemic indie sound, which has won them many fans.

Living The Dream is the lead track from their second EP and sees the band growing in confidence. Accompanied by their debut video (dir: Dean Howie), the track piles on layers of atmospheric guitar and smooth vocals, creating an anthem for anyone who’s ever stood in the gutter whilst staring at the stars — or, to put it another way, a song which should appeal to pretty much everyone.

As well it should — with an ever-maturing talent and a flair for songwriting, The Rah’s are going from strength to strength on the basis of this new release, which should see well on the way to living their own dream before too long.

Although past releases have proven them capable of ramming the foot down on the pop-punk floor and speeding off into the sunset, Edinburgh band The 10:04s take a different direction entirely with new single Throes.

Understated and delicate — even romantic — the track fuses shimmering pulses of guitar and skipping rhythmical heartbeats into a song which powder-burns towards a firework finish. Danny Scrimshaw’s vocals are the spark igniting the whole thing; they help to give Throes an unmistakably Scottish feel, but also one which is very much unique and contemporary.

The single — the band’s third — was produced by Thomas McNeice and the strikingly atmospheric video below was directed by BAFTA nominee John ‘JJ’ Campbell.

Currently recording more material for their debut album, The 10:04s’ new single will be a surprising release from a band many fans thought they knew — but a band very much in the throes of life.

Anyone with more than a passing interest in Latin American music will be familiar with Quilapayún.

Formed in Chile in 1965, the release of their 30th album Absolutamente Quilapayún in January 2013 marked 48 years of unbroken musical activity.

The band — which still contains three of its original members — perform vibrant music on a wide range of instruments, from traditional Chilean strings and flutes, to modern guitars and synthesisers. Forced into exile due to political upheaval in their home country, their music has a proud and important history: as well as a unique and world-renowned Latin American flavour which has contributed to their long-lasting success.

The gig at the Picture House offers a rare opportunity to see Quilapayún live in Scotland, where they last played 20 years ago.

Facilitated by Edinburgh based Chilean singer Valentina Montoya Martinez, whose band Voces del Sur will be supporting on the night, the gig promises to be an evening filled with the rhythms, passion and spirit of some of the finest Latin American music being performed today.

Quilapayún and Voces del Sur play the Picture House on Lothian Road on 19 April. Tickets are available online.

As anyone who’s ever been on a ghost tour of the city knows, Edinburgh is riddled with a labyrinthine network of dark and mysterious tunnels; a mysterious subterranean world which holds many secrets.

If that world had a soundtrack, it would be provided by Sacre Noir, whose dark electronica happily lurks in the shadows cast by the mainstream; their haunting beats echoes of an otherworldly muse which few acts are brave enough to court.

The band have just released their new single – Rue Crimée - which is another hypnotic slice of trance-infused electronic alchemy; a secret mixture of menacing rhythms, ominous guitar and disembodied, ghostly vocals.

The second single to be released from forthcoming LP Sinking Into Darkness, the track is accompanied by a striking video shot by Aristotle Events Filming, which sees the band providing the music to a danse macabre of strange, lost beings. The slightly unsettling visuals are a perfect complement to Sacre Noir’s unique sound: together, they conjure up a tale straight from the pages of Edinburgh’s secret history.

Check out the video below. You can find out more about Sacre Noir on their website.

Edinburgh Spotlight loves living in ‘Festival City’ and already has all these dates in its calendar – here’s the rundown of 2013′s festivals.

International Science Festival 23 March – 7 April 2013
The International Science Festival features a host of fun and educational events, lectures and attractions celebrating all things scientific.

Ceilidh Culture 26 April – 6 May 2013
Edinburgh’s traditional arts festival, featuring music, dance, storytelling and more.

Beltane Fire Festival 30 April 2013
Beltane is an ancient Celtic festival and Edinburgh plays host to some colourful and exciting celebrations to mark the date.

Imaginate Festival 6 – 13 May 2013
The Imaginate Festival is Edinburgh’s children’s festival and has loads of plays, activities and fun things to do for youngsters of all ages.

Leith Festival 8 – 16 June 2013
Come and celebrate all things Leith at this festival, featuring music, dance, art and other exciting events.

The Edinburgh Festival of Cycling - 15 – 23 June 2013
The first Edinburgh Festival of Cycling will take place in 2013. Organised by locals, this new Festival will be real showcase for all aspects of bicycle culture and the host city

Edinburgh International Film Festival 19 – 30 June 2013
The Edinburgh Film Festival is an internationally-renowned event on the movie festival circuit and attracts premieres and stars from all over the world.

Edinburgh International Magic Festival 28 June – 5 July 2013
2013 will see Edinburgh host the fourth International Magic Festival with a range of performers show-casing their magical talents.

Edinburgh Jazz and Blues Festival 19 July – 28 July 2013
Get your gladrags on and party to the sounds of the Edinburgh Jazz and Blues Festival, a popular event which attracts international talent.

Edinburgh Art Festival 1 August – 1 September 2013
Edinburgh Art Festival celebrates the visual arts in all its diversity, from world-class exhibitions to strikingly original installations.

Edinburgh Fringe Festival 2 - 26 August 2013
Getting bigger, better and – some may say – weirder every year, the Edinburgh Fringe Festival is the highlight of many a festival-goer’s calendar.

Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo 2 – 24 August 2013
Selling out months in advance, the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo is a spectacular event taking place on the Castle Esplanade.

Festival of Spirituality and Peace 2 – 26 August 2013
The Festival of Spirituality and Peace features music, dance, talks and other events highlighting humanitarian issues and causes.

Edinburgh International Festival 9 August – 1 September 2013
The one that started it all, the Edinburgh International Festival is a feast of world-class music, dance and theatrical performances.

Edinburgh International Book Festival 10 - 26 August 2013
This literary event attracts major names in the writing, publishing and political fields to the serene Charlotte Square Gardens setting.

Edinburgh Mela Festival 31 August  - 2nd September 2013
Celebrating the cultural diversity of the city, the Mela Festival brings colour and exotic flair to Edinburgh in August.

Scottish Story Telling Festival TBC October 2013
Celebrating the great Scottish oral tradition, the Story Telling Festival showcases the talents of national bards, poets and tale-spinners.

West Port Book Festival TBC November 2013
Organised by locals and volunteers.

Edinburgh’s Christmas TBC – late November – Jan 2014
Edinburgh sparkles at Christmas and features events, attractions and shows for all the family to enjoy during the festival season.

Edinburgh’s Hogmanay 30 December 2013 – 2 January 2014
End the year with the biggest street party in the world!

What? A fantastic night for age 16+.  8 bands battle it out for top position – who will the judges pick? Come and find out. Cheer on your favourite band.

Where? The Liquid Rooms, Victoria Street, Edinburgh

When? Friday 5 October 2012 6pm to 10pm

Cost? only £6 per ticket – there is also a raffle with some amazing prizes including an iPad2.

Tickets on sale via Tickets Scotland or Ripping Records.

Proceeds will go to It’s Good 2 Give and Save the Children. There is a Facebook event page.

Charity Battle of the Bands

EH1 LIVE

From the up-close-and-personal charms of Whistlebinkies to the legendary live stage of the Liquid Rooms, bands such as The OK Social Club, The Stagger Rats and Jack Rowberry will be belting out tunes in an event which showcases some of the best the city’s live scene has to offer.

Organised by We Luv Musik and This Is Sound promotions, this is the second EH1 LIVE event after last year’s successful debut. With the £18 ticket allowing access to Whistlebinkies, Sneaky Pete’s, Cabaret Voltaire, The Electric Circus and The Liquid Rooms, festivalgoers have the choice of staying put in one place to watch one of five great line-ups, or hopping around the city centre venues sampling some from each of them.

Either way, on 16th September, EH1 will be live with the sound of music.

Further information and ticket details are on the EH1 LIVE website.

Returning for its third year, the Big Beaach Busk is taking place on Portobello Promenade on Saturday 25th August from 12 noon. Everyone is welcome.

You don’t need to register or sign up, just head down to Portobello. Stroll along the prom until you find a spot you like then set up and play your tunes. Bring some friends and make a day of it. Poke a flag in to the sand and stake a claim to a little patch of Porty for the afternoon.

Follow up to date news via their twitter @BigBeachBusk or their Facebook page.

Back for 2012

Gatecrashing their way back into the Edinburgh scene, here come everyone’s favourite capital punksters, The Nature Boys.

In the past, the band have never quite managed to nail the shambolic chaos of their legendary live gigs on record. Here, for perhaps the first time, they prove they are capable of just as much filth and bristling fury in the studio as they are on stage.

Production emphasises the thrashing urgency of the melody, with chords shooting forth like heat-seeking missiles. And soft, what sound through yonder speakers break? Could it be that Cammy is actually a damn fine singer here as well as a manically unhinged punk poet?

The track is classic 3-minute 3-chord nihilistic punk energy. And rather than going nowhere, on the strength of this short sharp adrenaline shot in the arm, The Nature Boys deserve to go far.

The Nature Boys will be launching Going Nowhere on Sat 25th at 8pm, at a gig at Cruz Bar in Leith, supported by The Begbies and Jack Rowberry. So hoist the mainsail and splice the mainbrace and get yourself on board.

One of Edinburgh’s brightest and most promising bands, The 10:04s are back with their second single release Lights Out.

An atmospheric and dark brooder of a track, it flits in and out of the shadows of the likes of Editors and Joy Division, yet has enough distinction and angular energy to sound original. Guitar riffs shimmer like falling stars above a pumping rhythm section, as Steven Bolton laments the ‘simple things’ – the track may be a slow burner, but grows in smouldering intensity with each listen.

The sound of a band confident in its own skin, Lights Out shows that these lads’ future is anything but dark.

Camille O'Sullivan: Changeling

If Camille O’Sullivan is the Queen of the Fringe, then her short run at the Assembly Rooms this year feels like a State Visit.

Performers who can fill the newly-refurbished Music Hall are few and far between. Camille manages this not only with the sell-out crowd for tonight’s opening of her run, but also with her enthralling voice and bewitching stage presence.

Featuring a set of old favourites and new cover versions from her soon-to-be-released album Changeling, Camille is at turns boisterous and sassy; at others the embodiment of the dark and fatalistic songs she so expertly conjures up on stage.

Coping well with one or two technical issues with disarming self-deprecating humour, Camille and her five-strong band put in a powerhouse performance: at times managing to make a room the size of an aircraft hangar feel like the most personal, intimate venue in Edinburgh.

Perennial crowd-pleasers such as In These Shoes jostle with the Weimar-inspired madness of God’s Away On Business, demonstrating O’Sullivan’s versatility as a vocalist. However, it is the more pared-back numbers which impress the most.

An unaccompanied despair-drenched version of Brel’s Amsterdam; a hypnotic rendition of Radiohead’s True Love Waits; an unbalanced yet perfectly controlled cover of Nine Inch Nails’ Hurt: it is during performances like these where Camille excels; where her soul and passion are at their most open: and transferred straight into the hearts of the audience.

As Queen of the Fringe, Camille O’Sullivan may have inspired a host of pretenders to the throne, but on the basis of tonight’s outstanding performance, she justifiably retains her crown.

Camille O’Sullivan: Changeling is at the Assembly Rooms on George Street until 7 Aug, 2225-2355. Ticket details are available on the Fringe website.

Cloud Nine by Holly Drummond

She needn’t worry. Though it’s easy to imagine the last few years have been a whirlwind for her, rising from bedroom YouTube cover versions to this, her latest EP. Holly already has an impressive collection of self-recorded and produced songs behind her: so she may well find is able to realise her dreams of ‘singing to a crowd of screams’ before too long.

Holly Drummond (the artist formerly known as Smoothiesforme) is a bona fide internet success, having racked up thousands of views on her video channel and gained a large following on social media. Her fans’ loyalty is justified: Holly’s songs are melancholic and maturely-observed vignettes of life: tales of broken hearts and broken promises, yet shot through with an inner strength expressed through her accomplished songwriting.

The six songs on Cloud Nine are mostly down tempo acoustic guitar numbers, but layered with accompanying keys, strings and rhythms which turn them into lush productions: doubly impressive when you consider all of them were self-recorded and produced in Holly’s bedroom studio.

Cloud Nine itself is the closest thing to a pop song on offer here; a relatively straightforward love song with a keyboard motif dancing amongst the chorus and verses. But, as with the other, more serious tracks on the EP, Holly’s voice is the star, shading everything with an appealing and distinctively smooth tone: whether on the bold goodbyes-and-good-riddance of Girl That You Don’t Know, or the heartbreaking wistfulness of closer Free.

With its bittersweet mournfulness and lack of filler, the Cloud Nine EP is a highly-recommended release from the young Edinburgh singer, and further cements her as a talent to watch out for.

And with songs as accomplished as this, she has every chance of soaring high above the clouds and becoming a star in her own right.

Cloud Nine will be released on iTunes on Monday 6th August 2012 and will will also be available on Spotify, Amazon and other online music outlets

Edinburgh Festival Carnival 2012

Edinburgh Festival Carnival comes to Princes Street Gardens

As part of the Edinburgh Jazz and Blues Festival this year, there will be a free Festival Carnival suitable for all ages.

From 2pm – 4pm there will be music, dance, costumes, and street entertainment in all shapes and sizes.

This will take place on Princes Street and in Princes Street Gardens. There will be samba from Brazil; the top New Orleans Brass Band; funky beats from Italy; carnival dancing from Trinidad; scratching DJ’s, pipe band, accordion bands, and brass bands with rock n’roll attitude; there are performers from Martinique, the Bahamas, Germany, England, as well as from Edinburgh.

Over in Rose Street from 1pm – 4pm, the street will be brimming with fun and dynamic street performers.

Musicians, jugglers, mime artists, trick cyclists will strut their stuff – the perfect opportunity to bask in the sun sipping a cold beer or to visit one of the unique shops.

Sunday Market in the Grassmarket

Running simultaneously in the Grassmarket, will be a Sunday Market, from 2 to 5pm, accompanied by free live jazz and blues from Seaside Skiffle and Rosie Blue – presented in association with The Grassmarket Area Traders Association.

Further information

Further information can be found on the Edinburgh Jazz and Blues festival website.

Volunteers are also needed for the festival.

22nd July 2012

Edinburgh band Sacre Noir walk a slightly different – and darker – path than many of their peers.

Purveyors of ‘female-fronted lo-fi electronica’, according to their press material, Sacre Noir is the strange orphan child raised by Carrie Beattie, whose dark and twisted tales are given an equally skewed musical backing by a series of live musicians, collaborators and producers.

Receiving positive reviews for 2010′s debut LP Her Volatile Condition, Sacre Noir have recently released She Can’t Take It, the single heralding their second full-length release Sinking Into Darkness, out on July 23.

Accompanied by a suitably noiresque video, She Can’t Take It sees Sacre Noir in full mastery of their esoteric night circus, with pulsing clockwork rhythms and sequenced beats summoning Beattie’s ghostly and emotive vocals, which float on top of the mix like a spirit in search of its final resting place.

‘We’re coming to get you‘, she sings; the detached menace of the music veiling this threat in hypnotic sounds which cast an appropriately irresistible spell over the listener.

The accompanying video by David Sodergren of Boshpit Productions complements this unease perfectly, with odd masqued and painted creatures flitting in and out of the shadows like blinked snapshot memories of strangely compelling nightmares.

With successful live appearances across the UK and Europe, Sacre Noir now appear to be at the height of their holy black power. And with music as bewitchingly beguiling as this, it won’t be long before they convert ever more faithful followers to their ranks.

Check out Sacre Noir on their website

With the summer holidays underway, here’s an idea to help keep musically-inclined youngsters occupied.

Leith-based promoters and music studio Bainbridge Music are once again running their popular Bainbridge Rock Academy, running from July 16-20.

Aimed at kids between 12 and 16 who want to get a taste of the music business, the workshop is designed to help them develop their playing and songwriting skills; the week-long course also gives them the chance to record and take away their own CD, professionally recorded in Bainbridge’s studio.

There’s even a lunchtime showcase gig for all attendees at one of Edinburgh’s music venues at the end of the week, which everyone’s friends and family are invited to.

Running from 10am – 4pm each day, the Bainbridge Rock Academy is a great way to help keep your musical youth occupied, as well as perhaps helping to uncover some talent of tomorrow!

Places at the Academy cost £100 and are available on a first-come / first-served basis. More details are available on the Bainbridge Music website, or by phoning 0131 555 4094.

We’re running a competition with Bainbridge Music where YOU can win a place at the Bainbridge Rock Academy. To win a place for your young rock star (who must be aged between 12 and 16), simply email contact@bainbridgemusic.co.uk with a subject of ‘Edinburgh Spotlight Competition’.

The Rah's EP launch - 26 May

Drawing influences from modern-day heroes like Kasabian and Arctic Monkeys, their music is also coloured by the lads’ love of era-defining sounds from Hendrix & The Stones: combining together to make The Rah’s distinctive and appealing sound.

In a couple of weeks’ time, the band will be launching their Give Me Life EP at Cabaret Voltaire, supported by two big names in the Edinburgh music scene, Greg Pearson and The 10:04s.

Promoted by This Is Sound, The Rah’s EP launch on 26 May is all set to let the good times – and, of course, the good music – roll.

Tickets for The Rah’s EP launch can be bought online at Tickets Scotland and are also available from Ripping Records.

Camille O'Sullivan - Feel

Although the light reflecting off a mirrored fascinator half-obscuring her face dances across the walls and ceiling during the number, the singer’s presence flits and soars throughout the venue during the whole of this powerful and immensely enjoyable performance.

Like a bumper version of her much-loved and acclaimed Fringe shows, tonight’s show – part of her UK ‘Feel’ tour – lasts over two hours. This allows Camille to air tracks from her new LP Changeling; as well as a host of past favourites from previous shows: an opportunity she seems to relish as much as the audience.

We therefore get the raw unaccompanied power of Amsterdam and the glittering glamour of In These Shoes; sharing Camille’s songbook with the pounding bitterness of Hurt and the fatalistic romanticism of Brompton Oratory.

Camille makes the cover versions very much her own, wringing the emotion from each song: whether lust and passion; or – more usually – heartbreaking sorrow. Yet, even though the songs edge towards the dark edge of the spectrum, her stage presence and between-song interaction with the crowd avoid the risk of things getting oppressive.

It’s testament to the talent of Camille and her trio of musicians that the show contains no filler; nor does it lag for a moment, with a well-balanced and varied set holding attention throughout. Musically, her band demonstrate a range and versatility to equal the singer’s own: able to drop things down to a barely-audible beat, then ramp things up to a more raucous rhythm with ease.

As the place where she first began to taste her deserved success, Edinburgh holds a special place in Camille’s heart. On the basis of the standing ovation she receives after tonight’s extended encore, that love – like the light from the mirrors during True Love Waits – is reflected straight back at her.

Camille O'Sullivan - Feel

Camille will of course be back in August, where she’ll be appearing in the Fringe once again; and also for the first time as part of the Edinburgh International Festival in The Rape of Lucrece.

She’ll also be dropping by Edinburgh next week at the Queen’s Hall as part of her UK Feel Tour, where on Tuesday 8 May she’ll reprise last year’s Fringe success in the acoustically-blessed venue in Clerk Street.

Expect songs to tug at your heart, to set shivers racing up and down your spine; and more than a few to get your feet stomping too, in a show which will see Camille open her storybook full of classics and tell them in her own unique and mesmerising style.

Ticket information is available on The Queen’s Hall website.

We’ve been big fans of Smoothiesforme since first hearing her music a few months ago.

The talented 17-year-old singer songwriter from Edinburgh has built up a huge and deserved following on Facebook, YouTube and Twitter, and is now set to take things even further after being selected to appear at the influential goNORTH festival and event in Inverness in the summer.

Playing as part of the event’s music showcase, goNORTH will give Smoothiesforme the opportunity to rub shoulders with other bands and artists like Matt Norris & The Moon, The Stagger Rats and Stanley Odd; as well as the chance of being seen by a host of music industry & media professionals.

As she writes, records, produces and promotes all her own material, this is a great success for Smoothiesforme – and also shows just how much a talented artist can achieve through their own efforts.

So congratultions to Smoothiesforme for being chosen to go north in the summer!

You can follow Smoothiesforme and hear her music on YouTube, Facebook and Twitter. Her EP New Beginnings is available to download for free here.