You know the saying “no news is good news”? Well, when it comes to this blog, that’s usually the case. If I haven’t updated the site in a while, it’s often because I’ve been cray-cray busy (Neil taught me that phrase, cray-cray. Did I do it right?) and that’s almost always a good thing. While I try to keep people updated with Twitter and Facebook, apparently there’s been some sort of news event dominating the media recently, so some of my news might have slipped through the cracks. Even handsome bastards have been getting it on the act. With this in mind, here’s a wee roundup of stuff you might have missed.
Linn Records
Last week I announced that I recently signed a distribution deal with Glasgow-based record company Linn Records! You might know the name from their world-famous range of audio equipment but as a record company they specialise in studio quality master downloads. What this means is that when I release a new record it will also be distributed on Linn’s website where you’ll have the option to purchase and download high fidelity studio masters. That’s as opposed to what you might normally get from iTunes for example. For more information on Linn’s vision and why mp3s might not be the best way to listen to music, check out this interview with Gilad Tiefenbrun, the boss of Linn Records. Of course, my music will still be able to download through Bandcamp, so fear not if you prefer the personal touch (or the good night’s sleep that comes from knowing you’re paying an artist directly. Or if you just like getting something in the mail).
It feels great to have the support of a record company like Linn, and I really do encourage you to check them out. Apart from anything else, they’re just lovely people. Check out my artist profile and releases on Linn at this lovely link.
BBC 6 Music
Someone else’s support who I’m really lucky to have is BBC DJ and singer/songwriter, Tom Robinson. Tom’s played my stuff a few times over the past year or two and this week he featured my latest single Deadpool on his BBC Introducing Mixtape. Most flattering of all is this review that Tom wrote about my work:
“For me, the wry, laconic lofi-fi acoustic pop of Glasgow-based songwriter Shambles Miller – in fact his whole musical persona – is completely irresistible. Be clear, this is not music made with an eye either on the Top 40 or fame in the blogosphere. But it 100% fulfils Steve Lamacq’s criterion that any artist worth their salt sounds like they need to make this particular music or they would explode. Shambles embodies the wonderfully dry Scots truthfulness to be found in the work of Aidan Moffat, King Creosote and even our friends on this same mixtape Drunk Mule. Deadpool is certainly a fine track, but frankly I’d recommend downloading everything you can get your hands on and immersing yourself in the unique – sometimes funny, sometimes angry, always unfailingly honest – world of Shambles Miller.”
The assertion that I need to be doing this or I would explode is the most accurate description of why I do this that I’ve ever heard and I’m incredibly flattered by Tom’s words. You can listen to the show at some of the links above, or you can download it here.
Gigsgigsgigs
As always I’ve been busy gigging and I’ve got more coming up. If you’re not from Glasgow and want to catch me nearer your neck of the woods, I’ll be heading to Gourock, Ayr, and Doune the Rabbit Hole over the next month or so. For a list of gig dates/venues/times, check out Songkick, Bandcamp, or Tumblr. This past week I also played a wee gig in Edinburgh and I must say, it’s definitely the first time I’ve played a gig on a double decker bus in a pub’s courtyard. I’ve also never had to stoop quite so much during a set as I did during this one. To get an idea of what I got up to, there’s this Vine and the best “I’m driving a bus” selfie you’ve ever seen.
I also got the chance to catch a great set by James Mackenzie, who I recommend listening to with your ears at your earliest convenience. Click all my stuff first though, eh? Man’s got to eat.
Have I been up to anything else? Well lets see…I set “Rapey” Robin Thicke straight about something, had a beer up Ben A’an, hung out with a wee tortoise pal, and got the affirmation I was seeking from the Sultan of Selfie himself(ie).
Like I say, I’ve been dain stuff. Thanks for reading folks!
Til next time,
love Shambles
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Shambles Miller's really really good website 