BBC Introducing A&R Zone ft Craig McGee Album of 2011 + Save BBC Introducing in Scotland

On Hogmanay last year I was phoned by the producer at BBC Radio 1 Introducing in Scotland and asked to take part in a feature on BBC Radio 1 in Scotland starting in January. This call made my day and I was beaming with pride prior to my DJ set in the Brass Monkey that very night.

Because of my role as Scottish Scout for Warner Chappell Publishing, I was to be part of the A&R Zone team and I would be a monthly guest, take in 2 tracks, chat about them and play them for you, the listeners.

Over the last 12 months I have played a large selection of tracks I have enjoyed from Scotland and I hope you have too. Below I have compiled all the tracks into a sort of ‘Album of the year’ type scenario. A snapshot of what tracks were rocking my boat this year. A mixture of indie, rock n roll, Electro, ska, metal and folk. Something for all the family!

This Sunday from Midnight all the A&R Zone team will be taking part in choosing their favourite track from 2011, something that’s going to be very hard to do.

I hope you like the tracks below and please support the artists by going to their shows, buying their music or merchandise. Also can everyone who hasn’t already please sign the Save BBC Introducing in Scotland petition at the end of this article.

17th January
Little Fire – ‘All I Need in Life’

http://soundcloud.com/littlefire/01-all-i-need-in-life-chem-19

A great simple acoustic track with excellent lyrics that really got to me. Jamie had a great year with many massive support slots, lots of gigs and TV appearances, 2012 promises to be better for him with many industry figures sniffing around.


The Imagineers – ‘Mariana’

http://soundcloud.com/theimagineers/mariana-demo

Constantly touring and releasing great music, The Imagineers showed they were on of the hardest working bands in Scotland in 2011. This demo highlighted to me the great songwriting the band has.

7th February

Calm as the Colour – ‘The Rain Must Fall

http://soundcloud.com/calm-as-the-colour/the-rain-must-fall

The reaction when I played this track was amazing, so many people telling me how good it was. Such a simple catchy tune that will have you singing along at one of their shows. Really nice guys too.

Cities & Skylines ‘Holes in the Snow’

http://soundcloud.com/citiesandskylines/holes-in-the-snow-1

A rocking tune that was one of many great releases on Ignite Records in 2011


7th March

The Fiction – ‘Help! Help! Imposter!’

http://soundcloud.com/skippydyes/help-help-imposter-bbc-radio-1

Guitars and Saxophone!? Yes Please! The band now known as Skippy Dyes, check this great sound out! It had me and Ally dancing round the Radio 1 Studio!

Versus Versus – ‘Wheres the Magic Gone’

http://soundcloud.com/weareversusversus/wheres-the-magic-gone

I was a big fan of them in their previous life as ‘Kobai’ Their new project brings lovely electronic sounds alongside driving synths. Their recorded output is very strong. A recent change to lineup has delayed their live shows however they promise they will be playing live soon.

11th April

Chasing Owls – ‘Wedding Song’

http://soundcloud.com/chasingowls-1/wedding-song

Far cry from what you would expect at a Scottish wedding, however I do prefer this! Catch them at next years Celtic Connections


Modern Faces – ‘Lost in a Moment’

http://youtu.be/2RMZrw-EjR8

A great indie tune from Fife’s finest. This band had a great year which included supporting Shaun Ryder and touring with Kasabian!

30th May

Sonny Marvello – ‘Tiny Little Sparks’

http://soundcloud.com/everythingflows/tiny-little-sparks-by-sonny

This band have been continually developing their song writing and in 2011 released their best material yet. A series of unique gigs brought this band a lot of great acclaim, this tune is one of their most catchy.

Fridge Magnets – ‘Death of Rock n Roll’

http://soundcloud.com/fridge-magnets/death-of-rock-n-roll-fridge

Fridge Magnets sold out shows in Glasgow and Aberdeen in 2011, their reputation grew as they continually featured on Radio 1 and were asked to support Calvin Harris, Japanese Popstars and Jaymo & Andy George amongst others. Expect big things in 2012

13th June

Fiction Faction – ‘Malenky Lizards’

http://soundcloud.com/fictionfaction/fiction-faction-malenky-1

80s inspired indie tune with a unique sounding vocal. I saw this band live a few times this year and was very impressed

Mechanical Smile – ‘Leap of Faith’

http://soundcloud.com/mechanicalsmile/sets/sleep-and-silence-ep

Alt Rock from Ayrshire, this tune has such a good driving bassline and hook. The build up at the start leads into an anthemic finish, expect crowds going mental once it all kicks in

25th July

Rose Parade – ‘Grace’

http://soundcloud.com/roseparade/rose-parade-grace-1

Just one of the many great tracks this band put out this year, the Glockenspiel added a nice surprise element to it and works so well. Altogether now, ‘da ra da da ra raaaaaaa’

Tragic O’Hara – ‘Jump On’

http://youtu.be/jur4_HN-VzA

The Video of 2012 for me as Tragic and Colin Hunter go dancing. Tragic Bluesy influenced tracks and unique events in 2011 really caught the eye. The multi venue one day festival Acoutoblaster and airing his dislike/challenge for a dance off with Colin Hunter added some hilarity to 2011s proceedings.

12th September

The Machine Room – ‘Camino De Soda’

http://soundcloud.com/themachineroom/camino-de-soda

Dark electronic sounds from Edinburgh, This track has such a great hookline in it. Its just been released as a single and you should definitely add it to your collection.

Sergeant Sonic Feat Ms Yung – ‘Get Back on the Dancefloor’

http://soundcloud.com/sergeantsonic/craig-mcgee-talkin-about-my

Probably my favourite electro pop track of the year with an amazing beat! If you tell me you are not dancing to this, you are a liar!!!

3rd October

Herculean – ‘The Airship Sunset’

http://soundcloud.com/herculean/the-airship-sunset

A very young band with song writing beyond their years, I couldn’t believe how young these guys were. This tune is massive indie hit in the making!

Johnny Barr – ‘Will You Be Wanting More?’

http://soundcloud.com/jbarr1991/johnny-barr-will-you-be

Ah the loveable rogue that is Johnny Barr. The talent this boy has is incredible; watch his intricate finger picking and guitar percussion to see how good he is. The tunes too are something else and when the full band are playing them this guy is a wall of sound!

24th October

Seed – ‘The River’

http://soundcloud.com/seedband/the-river-demo

When I first heard this track I emailed the band to let them know I was playing on the show that week, I’ve since put on 2 live shows. Ladies and Gentlemen, my tip for 2012 are SEED, with folk sounds at the front with guitar and banjo and a drum and bass reminiscent of Grohl and Zeppelin! Catch them!

Niteworks – ‘Coisich’

http://soundcloud.com/niteworks/ep-sampler

This fusion of electro, trad and Gaelic blew me away, a unique sound and an amazing live band. Above is the sampler for the EP, It took me ages to choose between them, you can choose your favourite.

21st November

Becci Wallace & Bill Breaks – ‘Find Me’

http://soundcloud.com/beccibreaks/becci-wallace-find-me-acoustic

Becci played 2 gigs for me this year in 2 different guises. Acoustic and also with Bill Breaks. Both times she had the audience so quiet you could hear nothing apart from her. What a talent. Bill adds a series of beats to the tunes giving a Portishead sort of vibe.

Arches – ‘Turn It Up’

http://soundcloud.com/sapiensongsltd/arches-turn-it-up-1

Driving rock sounds and epic choruses from Arches. This band have got their career off to a flyer with a sell out Stereo show and an EP that song for song is as strong as any ive heard this year.

12th December

Alice & The Rampant Trio – ‘Take Somebody Home’

http://soundcloud.com/music-week/alice-and-the-rampant-trio

Alice’ track came to me via Music Week and right away the 2 female vocals caught my attention. Reminiscent of PJ Harvey & Fleetwood Mac the large chorus had me nodding along to it.

Craig FS ft Rachel Tesfaye – ‘Grass Stains’

http://soundcloud.com/craig_fs/grass-stain

Craig’s output over the last few months has impressed me so much. This tune is so current it has chart written all over it. I see this being a massive hit on the White Isle. Imagine the sun coming up with this blaring out the speakers! That’s how good this track is.


Save BBC Introducing in Scotland

As part of its operational restructuring plans - titled Delivering Quality First - the BBC has responded with a number of sweeping changes which include scrapping the Introducing in Scotland radio show, hosted by Ally McCrae every Sunday night from midnight to 2am.

This show has a remit to provide "the best new unsigned, undiscovered and under the radar music in Scotland" every week and it never fails to deliver on that promise thanks to the talent and expertise of its producers, technical staff and presenter.

Under Ally McCrae this year and his predecessor Vic Galloway in the 11 years before that, this has been the only outlet provided by Radio 1 to showcase up-and-coming bands and solo artists from Scotland to a Scottish audience. Pretty much all Scottish success stories from the past decade are where they are today because of early exposure through airplay and live sessions on this show.

We, the undersigned, call on the BBC to rethink their plans to scrap the Introducing in Scotland show and, instead, protect and promote this unique programme. This is an ill-thought-out decision that goes against the very ethos of the BBCs remit.

The BBC Trust will consult licence fee payers on the plans. The public have until December 21 to respond. This petition will be sent to the BBC Trust to reinforce the message that the public wants to save the Introducing in Scotland show.

On December 20th a petition will be getting handed into the BBC Trust headquarters, If you haven’t already signed it please sign by clicking the link below.

https://www.petitionbuzz.com/petitions/introducingscotland

http://thepopcop.co.uk/2011/12/save-bbc-introducing-in-scotland-campaign-where-we%E2%80%99re-at-part-2/

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