2016'S BEST MUSIC THINGS

I'm not doing the usual top 20 best whatevers as I'm too busy really. There are a couple of Depeche Mode projects in the pipeline (ha ha etc) which are eating up my writing time and my actual day job continues to annoyingly get in my way. So instead, here's a round of of the Best Music Things that caught my eye/ear/attention this year. 

Before I start though, I just want to say thanks very much for reading all the nonsense I've posted this year and thanks for all your comments. It amazes me to think that people want to read what I write and I'll never quite get over that. Hope you all have a lovely festive season and I'll no doubt see some of at numerous Depeche gigs next year. Anyway, here we go:

BEST BIT OF 2016 #1 - HQFU

HQFU's debut album is one of the finest this year and her live shows are insanely good - it's music that would make the dead dance. The album launch show at Glasgow's Glad Cafe in April was very much one of this year's best bits. I even forced Helen Marnie and Stuart Braithwaite to have a picture taken with me. Not a very cool thing to do I know, but it was me, Ladytron and Mogwai - I wasn't going to miss that. Even admitting I did that is embarrassing, but let's move on.

HQFU live review http://almostpredictablealmost1.blogspot.co.uk/2016/04/live-hqfu.html

Helen, Stuart, me and a chap in a hat

BEST BIT #2 - MT DOUBT

Mt Doubt makes music that never fails to inspire or move you. Hot on the heels of 2015's My Past Is A Quiet Beast, In Awe Of Nothing provided more evidence of Leo Bargery's unique talent, with tracks like Afterglow setting the bar high for new Scottish music this year. You really must see Mt Doubt live too to witness the songs taken to new, wonderful heights.

In Awe Of Nothing review http://almostpredictablealmost1.blogspot.co.uk/2016/07/mt-doubt-in-awe-of-nothing.html

BEST BIT #3 - DEPECHE MODE ARE BACK

Ok, it probably won't be Violator part 2, but what I've heard about the new album is encouraging. There's a full tour too and I'm already signed up for the opening gig in Stockholm and the London Stadium gig in June with a few more to follow. Brace yourselves for a DM onslaught in 2017 on this site. 

DM Press conference review: http://almostpredictablealmost1.blogspot.co.uk/2016/10/depeche-mode-announce-vacancy-for-new.html

BEST BIT #4 - THE INSOMNIAC PROJECT

I won't stop talking about them until you all listen. There's something smarter than the average bear about this band and 2017 is going to be the year many more people find out about them. You know where you read it first

Vacillation review: http://almostpredictablealmost1.blogspot.co.uk/2016/04/the-insomniac-project-vacillation.html

BEST BIT #5 - HAPPY MEALS: FRUIT JUICE E.P.

Another band who can't stop getting better and better. All the parts you need are there - space disco synth perfection, the catchiest of tunes and remarkably beautiful record packaging courtesy of the ever wonderful Nightschool Records. Fruit Juice is one of 2016's must have releases. Your life is poorer for having it.

Fruit Juice review: http://almostpredictablealmost1.blogspot.co.uk/2016/06/happy-meals-fruit-juice-ep.html

BEST BIT #6 - MACHINES IN HEAVEN - PHENOMENOLOGY

Every time Machines In Heaven release something new, they go into territory they've never gone into before and they master it effortlessly. I've come back to this album a lot this year and I never tire of listening to it.

Phenomenology review http://almostpredictablealmost1.blogspot.co.uk/2016/07/machines-in-heaven-phenomenology.html

BEST BIT #7 - RODNEY CROMWELL FAX MESSAGE BREAKUP E.P.

Possibly one of the best releases this year, taking tracks from 2015's magical Age Of Anxiety and remixing them to perfection. I don't think Rodney or the Happy Robots label are capable of releasing anything that isn't just brilliant

Fax Message Breakup review http://almostpredictablealmost1.blogspot.co.uk/2016/10/rodney-cromwell-fax-message-breakup-ep.html

BEST BIT #8 - LAST NIGHT FROM GLASGOW

In a city already besieged by incredible labels (festive hellos to Hotgem, Nightschool, Scottish Fiction and Olive Grove), Last Night From Glasgow came along and changed the game. A not for profit, crowdfunded label that focuses on the artists above all else with each release a uniquely beautiful thing. They've put out wonderful music by BooHooHoo ( a wristband usb ep), Stephen Solo (a credit card usb) and Mark W Georgsson (a 7" single of all things) among others and have hosted a series of live events, culminating in last Sunday's epic The Christmas Effect gig at Mono. Next year promises to be even bigger for the label and that's incredibly exciting. They are to be applauded for all their work - thanks Ian, Murray and the gang

Last Night From Glasgow http://almostpredictablealmost1.blogspot.co.uk/2016/06/last-night-from-glasgow.html

BEST BIT #9 - TEEN CANTEEN - SAY IT ALL WITH A KISS

I strategically missed them out of Best Bit #8 as they deserve attention themselves. Their debut album, Say It All With A Kiss was one of Last Night From Glasgow and indeed this year's best releases. I defy anyone to do anything other than fall in love with the album. Teen Canteen also jointly presented The Christmas Effect with Last Night From Glasgow with lead singer Carla's side project Ette also featuring. As an aside, Ette's Homemade Lemonade album released on Olive Grove this year is another you have to check out

Teen Canteen review http://almostpredictablealmost1.blogspot.co.uk/2016/11/teen-canteen-say-it-all-with-kiss.html

BEST BIT #10 - A MONTH LONG PERIOD OF REJOICING

It seems astoundingly big headed to pick one of my own things as a best bit, but in March I did a month long feature on Depeche's Black Celebration to celebrate its 30th birthday. I had a whole lot of wonderful contributors, I interviewed Gareth Jones and, for that period at least, I can say that I knew more about Black Celebration than Martin Gore probably did. It was fun and, along with all the otehr Best Bits, it's why I do this.

http://almostpredictablealmost1.blogspot.co.uk/2016/02/let-have-black-celebration.html

I could go on and on but I'm stopping here. I missed out Radiohead's A Moon Shaped Pool, Nick Cave's staggering Skeleton Tree, The Pixies at the Barras, the big Erasure boxset, the fact I managed to get Kraftwerk tickets for next year, superb releases from Zyna Hel and Monkoora and much more. After 2016 started so horribly for music with David Bowie's death (that still looks wrong when you write it down), there was plenty in the music world to find joy in both globally and, happily for me, locally too. Next year will be equally if not more epic and, between Depeche Mode ramblings, I'll try to keep you as up to date as I can.

See you next year.

HAPPY MEALS - FRUIT JUICE EP

Happy Meals album Apero was one of my favourite albums of last year, albeit it was released in 2014 - I was just a little slow to catch up. Its shimmering, space disco electronics are a joy to behold and it remains on heavy rotation in my house, When I spoke to their label Night School's boss Michael Kasparis last December (http://almostpredictablealmost1.blogspot.co.uk/2015/12/the-almost-predictables-2015-no2-label.html), he said that one of the things he was looking forward to in 2016 was new Happy Meals material. He'd heard demos at that stage and was very excited. Their first release of 2016 is the Fruit Juice e.p.  and, presuming one or two of the tracks were among the demos Michael heard, he was right to be excited. This is a wonderful record.

What Happy Meals have done here is take the best bits of Apero and added a layer of pure pop to them. If You Want Me Now encapsulates that perfectly. The otherworldly feel of Apero is present initially as the sparse, bewitching electronics of the superb opening pair of tracks Run Round and La Labas bleed into it, but the song then veers off in a correctly unapologetic pop fashion, producing a curious but marvellous hybrid of experimental electropop and the kind of pop tweaks that were last heard in late 80's pop hits. Genuinely, there are a couple of points at the song's poppiest point that bring to mind a sort of SAW production feel and why not? It works perfectly. If You Want Me Now is impossible to ignore and it's a song that you are bound to love.

Wonderfully, the duo sort of reprise the song for the e.p.'s last track Now That You Have Me, turning it into a slice of aggressive electroinc disco, adding a layer of darkness and a spot on acid bassline that take the song into another, fascinating dimension. Outstanding. The track that precedes that, Suivez-Moi is a hint of where Now That You Have Me is going to go. It's immediately brings to mind the genius of Liaisons Dangereuses or D.A.F. or even early Human League - sparse, thumping electronics that showcase everything that is great about stripped down, powerful electronic music. Suivez-moi is another song you have to hear.

Fruit Juice is further evidence, if evidence were needed, that Happy Meals are onto something very special. It displays numerous facets of their sound and, thrillingly, despite the diverse feel of the tracks, all of them work perfectly together, producing a stand out release. Go and get your hands on this now. It'll be the best thing you do today.

Fruit Juice e.p. by Happy Meals is available now on Night School Records and is released digitally and on limited edition 12" in a hand marbled sleeve meaning no two sleeves are the same. Very cool.

Happy Meals Fruit Juice e.p. http://nightschoolrecords.com/index.php/2016/05/19/happy-meals-fruit-juice-e-p/

Night School Records http://nightschoolrecords.com/

Happy Meals Facebook https://www.facebook.com/hahahappymeals/?fref=ts

THE ALMOST PREDICTABLES 2015 NO.2 - LABEL OF THE YEAR

The second Almost Predictable in this miniature awards season I'm hosting is for Label Of The Year. It's been a great year for several favourite labels of mine - Hot Gem have continued to build their impressive portfolio with releases from Machines In Heaven, YuTaNi and Okraa and Toronto's wonderful Hand Drawn Dracula have released nothing but solid gold with outsanding records from the likes of Rolemodel, Fresh Snow and Beliefs really hitting the spot. Glasgow's Olive Grove also released one of the records of the year with Woodenbox's Foreign Organ. As ever, Mute Records has obviously been amazing too of course.

There can only be one winner though, and that winner is Glasgow's Night School Records. This year, the label has had a 100% record when it comes to releasing music with superb albums from Paper Dollhouse Sally Dige, Molly Nilsson, Rose McDowall, Liberez and Paco Sala. Not content with merely putting out these albums and running the label, label boss Michael Kasparis has been insanely busy himself touring in support of his alter ego Aspostille's quite brilliant  2015 album Powerless.


One aspect of Night School Records that I can't fail to acknowledge is the love that goes into each release. For a vinyl collector, the label is a joy with marvellous limited edition coloured vinyl releases for the Sally Dige Rose McDowall and Molly Nilsson records a real highlight of the year. Getting an album is always a special thing, but when you get one that has been put together with such care, it adds a new level to the experience. I caught up with Michael for a chat and to make a virtual presentation of his virtual award

APA: Congratulations on your Almost Predictable and a great 2015. How has the year been for you?

MK: Hey, thank you so much! It's been intense. At the end of every year in the last four, I've felt like the year has passed so quickly that I've not even had time to take stock. This year is no different, probably even more so. The year began with me mixing my first solo record and it's going to be ending with my playing it out in Europe.

APA: How have you found the response to the various releases on the label? There's been a lot of coverage for the likes of your Apostille release which must have been pleasing.

MK: It's all relative and, to be honest, I only pay attention to the reception as much as I need to. I used to take it personally that I could work on something that means the world to me - and to the artist involved - but then it's out there and only a select few hear it and appreciate it. That's the nature of the beast, I get that. It's great that something will come out on Night School and get a lot of reviews and people's reaction, whether it's Rose's album or Molly's, or something like Liberez will come out and get a lot of critical acclaim. 

Sometimes it doesn't translate into breaking even on a release, but that's the risk you take. The Apostille album: I'm not going to pretend it's anything other than a vanity release. I had a couple of offers from other people to do it, and I think I'd like to go down the route of getting someone else to release Apostille in the future, but I felt like I wanted to do Powerless exactly how I wanted it done. The people that picked up on the record seemed to really like it. I've had a lot of nice feedback which is great. It's kind of my nature never to be satisfied though so I've always got my eye on the next thing, improving, evolving...

APA: Your vinyl releases are all special. The likes of the Sally Dige, Rose McDowall and Molly Nilsson releases were all wonderful for example. Is it important to the label to make these releases something special?

MK: Thanks! I can never look at a releases as if from a conveyor belt. Each release is the result of stress, planning, enthusiasm, love and plenty of hair-pulling, from me as much as the artists involved. So, when the finished product is in my hands, it has to reflect all of that. I'll never understand how anyone in my position can have a "that'll do" approach to their label. You get a lot of major labels or even big indie labels who produce records and you look at how they've done it, and how much they're charging, and you just think this is someone at the other end of a spreadsheet. Even though the main focus is on vinyl, I should also point out that we take equal care with the CD's, cassettes, T-shirts, whatever! I suppose each release is special by default!

APA: Tricky question perhaps, but what's your favourite Night School release been this year?

MK: I couldn't possibly pick one. That's probably lame but so be it (APA - not at all!). Every release we do usually sits in my headphones for at least three months in the lead up to release, it becomes part of my life. I was super excited to get Sally's record out this year after several years of trying, the Liberez record was incredible for me, Molly's album Zenith is probably the highpoint of her career thus far, the Rose McDowall record is one of my favourite albums of all time so the fact I re-released it blows my mind. It goes on. The Paper Dollhouse album is just so involving and emotional, and of course my record is about as personal a "project" as you can get. The Paco Sala album is wonderful too

APA: What's been your highlight of the year?

MK: Again, there are too many. Here's a few: playing Berghain to 850 people through that sound system; Molly Nilsson playing 1995 at the Monorail festival I helped organise in October; Liberez live at Cafe Oto; playing with Sally Dige as on-stage mascot/mixer at Creepy Teepee festival in the Czech Republic; my set at Creepy Teepee too; playing guitar on Since Yesterday with Rose McDowall in St Pancras Parish Church with my friends in the backing band in May. There was also Beserktown Festival in Orange County in the summer, though that's not label related. It's been a good year.

APA: What are the label's plans for 2016?

MK: Mmmm. Next year is the label's 5th anniversary, which is crazy when I think about it. I've basically got more plans than means at any one time, so I can't say anything categorical at this time. However, one big thing is that I'm going to be launching a sister label to concentrate on reissues. I'll use the same methodology and attention to detail but have a label that is exclusively reissues. We're continuing Rose McDowall's reissue project with at least two more releases. I've got the debut album from at least two new artists that I'm really excited about that you might know from other guises. There's at least TWO new Happy Meals releases; they've just started sending me demos which is super exciting (APA: that's more than super exciting if that's possible). There will be more from Molly Nilsson of course. My dream is to perform in the Molly Nilsson all-stars, as in with a live band, so I think I might try and pressure her to do that. Basically, there'll be more of the same as this year, but probably even more until I have a happy, mental breakdown.

APA: Finally, given how this blog began life, there's an obligatory Depeche Mode question. What's your favourite DM track?

MK: I'm definitely a fan, but unabashedly a populist one. I have a few albums, but it always comes back to the singles for me, Probably something like Everything Counts or See You. Vince Clarke is a genius obviously. I'm trying very hard to make the next Apostille album sound like Erasure, but it turns out that's quite difficult.

-------------------------------------

Thanks very much to Michael for taking the time to answer my questions. As you'll see, 2016 looks like it may even top 20156 for Night School Records and that would be quite something. Personally, I can't wait for the new Happy Meals material and the Apostille album is going to be unmissable. 

Night School Records http://nightschoolrecords.com/

Night School Records Facebook https://www.facebook.com/NightSchoolRecords/?fref=ts

Night School Records Twitter https://twitter.com/NightSchoolRecs

Night School Records Soundcloud https://soundcloud.com/nightschool

PAPER DOLLHOUSE - AEONFLOWER

Paper Dollhouse are an East London based duo comprising Astrud Steehouder and Nina Bosnic whose second album Aeonflower has just had a vinyl release on Glasgow's Night School Records, a label you may recall me going on about before. It really is a label worth checking out as it's currently on a run like early Mute records, firing our brilliant electronic music again and again with albums from the likes of Happy Meals, Apostille and Sally Dige. 

Aeonflower fits perfectly onto the Night School roster. The album is a mixture of dark electronics, ambient sounds and, in places, an unsettling vibe that comes together to produce something very special indeed. Opener Oracle is a sedate, twinkling two minute or so electronic instrumental that flows straight into the beautiful Stand, which has a post rock feel albeit one from the outer reaches of electronic music. Helios is a joy too, mixing pulsing synths with experimental feeling vocals quite hypnotically. So far, the album is a soothing experience but that changes with the almost industrial feel of Psyche which has echoes of the likes of Throbbing Gristle throughout. It's a startling track, especially given the music that has come before, but it's a cracker and is a track that has grabbed me. 

Your Heart and Diane return us to a less industrial landscape, both tracks mixing sparse electronics with distinct hints of a poppier feel, albeit one that remains unsettling but somehow welcoming. Silence and In The Sun follow, with the latter recalling Joy Division and early Factory Records in feel and mood which is never a bad things. Black Flowers then strips the music back to complete basics leaving us listening to minimalist ambience if such a thing exits before the marvellous Siren closes the album, cinematic in feel and offering glimpses of sunshine as we leave the, admittedly superb, claustrophobia or the preceding 9 tracks. 

Aeonflower is one of those albums that is quite an experience to listen to. There's nothing necessarily instantly catchy or boldly melodic, however the first listen grabs you, leaving you intrigued and subsequent plays only serve to reveal more and more and to pull you further into the record. It's something you should really hear.

Aeonflower by Paper Dollhouse is available on Night School Records here http://nightschoolrecords.bigcartel.com/product/lssn029-paper-dollhouse-aeonflower-lp

Paper Dollhouse Facebook https://www.facebook.com/PaperDollhouse?fref=ts

SAY AWARDS LONGLIST ANNOUNCED

The Scottish Album of The Year (SAY) longlist was announced last night and can be viewed below and at the SAY site http://www.sayaward.com/. It's crammed full of superb Scottish music featuring albums released between January 2014 and March 2015 and there are many albums on the list that I love. The public vote will take place from May 25th to May 27th following which the list will be whittled down to 10 with that list announced on 28th May. The winner will be announced on June 17th at the SAY award ceremony. My personal favourites are Happy Meals, Mogwai, The Twilight Sad, Erros, Kathryn Joseph, King Creosote and Belle and Sebastian as they have all released superb albums of late. The whole list, however, is a celebration of the remarkably fine state of Scottish music at the moment. Go and vote when the public vote opens and keep an eye on SAY's site and Twitter feed in the meantime 

LONGLIST

Belle and Sebastian - Girls In Peacetime Want To Dance

Blue Rose Code - The Ballads of Peckham and Rye

Errors - Lease of Life

Fatherson - I Am An Island

Happy Meals - Apero

Honeyblood - Honeyblood

Idlewild - Everything Ever Written

Kathryn Joseph - Bones You Have Thrown At Me And Blood I've Spilled

King Creosote - From Scotland With Love

Mike Vass - In The Wake Of Neil Gunn

Mogwai - Rave Tapes

Paulo Nutini - Caustic Love

PAWS - Youth Culture Forever

Slam - Reverse Proceed

The Amazing Snakeheads - Amphetamine Ballads

The Phantom Band - Strange Friend

The Twilight Sad - Nobody Wants To Be Here And Nobody Wants To Leave

Treacherous Orchestra - Grind

Withered Hand - New Gods

Young Fathers - Dead

SAY Twitter https://twitter.com/SAYaward 

FAVOURITE RECORD LABELS NO. 1 - NIGHT SCHOOL RECORDS

Night School Records is a Glasgow based label run by Michael Kasparis. Among the label's many gems, Michael is about to release his own album, Powerless, under the guise of guise of Apolstille on April 27th. If you're unfamiliar with Night School, Apostille is as good a place to start as any. Check out Good Man below which mixes influences from Suicide to, funnily enough to the ears of this blog, Depeche Mode and is a real gem. The album is going to be something special

Apostille aside, there is also much to get excited about on Night School. You might recall that I've mentioned the fantastic Happy Meals before, both in album reviews and on the Glasgow Endless Two feature. Their debut Apero which, if you still haven't heard it, is a must hear came out on Night School and they're playing dates with Apostille in April, including a show at the Flying Duck in Glasgow on Saturday 11th. You can read the review for my full thoughts about Apero, but let's just say that it's one of the most innovative electronic albums I've heard in a while. Here's the video for Altered Images to tide you over until you but the album

Another band you'll want to check out are Paper Dollhouse, whose second LP Aeonflower came out on Night School on 2nd March. The album is a beautiful but stark soundscape that was made to be listened to on vinyl. Like the releases I've mentioned above, the album can be obtained on limited edition vinyl from the Night School site, details below. Here's Helios from the album

These bands aside, the label's roster is stuffed to the gills with superb music from the likes of Rose McDowall and Sally Dige. Every release from Night School is innovative and, from the vinyl shopper's point of view, beautifully packaged with the feel of an album just like you remember they used to be. Labels like this that take the time to ensure that their output is so spot on deserve attention and you really must spend a good bit of time getting to know Night School Records and getting into their artists.

Night School Records Soundcloud https://soundcloud.com/nightschool

Night School Records Home http://nightschoolrecords.com/

Night School Records Facebook https://www.facebook.com/NightSchoolRecords?fref=ts

Night School Records Twitter https://twitter.com/NightSchoolRecs

GLASGOW ENDLESS TWO - GLASGOW'S ELECTRONIC MUSIC REVOLUTION CONTINUES

In July 2013 ( http://almostpredictablealmost1.blogspot.co.uk/2013/07/glasgow-endless-glasgows-electronic.html ) I took a look at four local bands who I'd just discovered were playing electronic music in Glasgow. This was a fairly new concept to me as, to my knowledge at the time, the Glasgow music scene didn't feature much, if any electronic music. Since I wrote that piece however, things have changed significantly, driven by a combination of the global success of Chvrches and the city's continually innovative and inspiring music scene. I felt that it was something well worth revisiting and so caught up with five bands to find out what they think of the current scene.

I spoke to a mix of bands, some established (Machines In Heaven, Atom Tree), some making their mark (Apache Darling) and some new and hotly tipped (The Insomniac Project, Happy Meals) and the general feeling was the same throughout - the electronic music scene in Glasgow is as buoyant as it ever has been, and that is an exceptionally good thing. Once you've read this piece, do check out the bands it contains, but don't stop there; seek out as many others as you can from the industrial turned sleek electro pop sounds of Analog Angel to the perfect machine pop of Twissted to the cinematic electronics of Malmo. Glasgow is currently covering all bases. Even as I wrote that sentence, the likes of Errors and Turtle sprang to mind for example. There is so much going on that it's almost impossible to fully cover and that's a rather beautiful thing. Even this week, I've profiled two new bands in Tongues and Kloe and it's only a matter of time until I find more. Anyway, enough rambling - let's chat to the bands.

1. MACHINES IN HEAVEN

Machines In Heaven

As regular readers will know, one band I have been particularly taken with is Machines In Heaven. They debut release, the superb Glasgow Jihad e.p. was followed by 2014's debut album bordersbreakdown displayed a mix of electronica that sounded like it came from a seasoned band, not a debutant. The band's Hindu Milk e.p, which like bordersbreakdown was released on Glasgow's superb Hotgem label, rounded off 2014 in superb style with the band coming moving more towards electronics in a sublime way. I asked them how things had progressed for them since Glasgow Jihad:

MiH: "A marked change is that we're playing less gigs but bigger ones, for example, The Art School Mental Health Scotland show and The Pleasance in Edinburgh. We've done sessions for Radio Scotland and pulse FM and even popped our London cherry."

APA: Do you see Hindu Milk as a progression from bordersbreakdown? 

MiH: "Very much. It's the first time the three of us have written songs together so that explains the different sound. There are three distinctive styles on there too but having said that we are maintaining the loose set of 'rules' we developed for borders - epic but melodic sound, huge outdo, a subtle blend of all our tastes. There are also more vocals and synths though we're not ditching the guitars in any way."

APA: What do you think of the current Glasgow electronic scene? Has it changed much since we last spoke?

MiH: "If anything it's got even stronger. We've been commenting recently that it's hard to find new guitar bands because everyone is doing an electro 2 or 3 piece. We don't try to sound like a particular scene though. We just do the thing we're doing, and people say we sound different so we're happy with that. Glasgow's a victim of its own success- there's so much happening every weekend it's hard to get people to come to your gigs!"

Machines In Heaven really are one to watch and 2015 is going to be a huge year for them. As well as their Glasgow gigs (next up March 13th at The Old Hairdressers) they are going to play a small English tour, will hopefully pop up at festivals on both sides of the border and will start to narrow down their 50 or so demos for their second album which will hopefully arrive towards the middle of the year. Keep an eye on the Machines.

2. ATOM TREE

Machines' labelmates, Atom Tree, are a band I mentioned towards the tail end of my July 2013 article. Like Machines, their profile has risen hugely since then and their Clouds e.p. at the end of 2014 was a superb release. I asked Shaun, the band's founding member how the last 18 months had gone for the band:

Atom Tree

AT: "The last 18 months have been fantastic. I finally found a singer and got play some of the best festivals in Scotland, as well as having two e.p's out. It feels liked we've played a lot of gigs in the last 18 months and I'm looking forward to writing new music"

APA: What about the current electronic scene in Glasgow? How do you see that?

AT: "From the bands we've played with, there is a lot of talent out there. Sad City is one that sticks out. I've played with him twice and his live shows are spectacular. The Simple Things festival in 2014 really highlighted the quality of Glaswegian electronic music as well as the quality of electronic music that Glasgow attracts."

APA: What are your plans for 2015?

AT: "The plan is to get an album and tour ready. The album will probably feature 8 of the best songs I've written in the last year plus any new songs that spring up during the album writing sessions. I'm still working on the balance of instrumental to vocal tracks at the moment, so it will be a challenge but I'm looking forward to it."

There's no doubt that 2015 can be a huge year for Atom Tree. Check out Hold On below to hear how good they are

3. APACHE DARLING
One band who have really caught my attention this year are Apache Darling. The band comprise Stefanie Lawrence and Andrew Black and they play some of the most perfect synthpop you'll hear. They first came to the world's attention last year with the release of the magnificent More Than Me and quickly followed that with a residency at Glasgow's best electronic venue Broadcast. As well as all this they've managed to gather a lot of radio play from Radio 1 to 6 Music to XFM and success surely awaits them. Prior to their second release, the superb Firebird they found time to speak to me.

APA: An easy one to start - tell us about you influences.

Andrew: "I learned piano listening to the likes of Elton John and then became quite obsessed with David Bowie and Jean Michel Jarre which led me onto synthesizers. Hearing bands like OMD, ELO and Gary Numan blend electronics with classic pop set off something in my imagination"

Stefanie: "I grew up with 50's rock 'n' roll courtesy of my Dad and my singing teachers were the Beatles and Brenda Lee. My mum introduced me to the other musical decades and mu higher education came from Prince and Bowie."

APA: How do you see your music? You've used the hashtag #thenewpop on social media - what's that all about?

Stefanie: "I'm really driven by melody and hooks. #thenewpop represents the new era of the classic pop song. It's almost nostalgia - what we think a pop song should be"

Andrew: "There are two sides to it: mainstream bands will try and crowbar in synth sounds because it's popular whereas new bands can try and be too cool and dark and don't write songs you want to hear again and again. I think we have a good balance of ballsy analog synths and good catchy pop songs."

APA: What are the band's plans for 2015?

Andrew: "We've been blown away by the support we've had, particularly online. At this point we're concentrating on building our catalogue and fanbase."

Stefanie: "We've had a brilliant six months and it's only the beginning. We'll be putting our second single online soon (Firebird - released after this interview). It's so reassuring to see the support we've had considering we're unsigned and unknown."

APA: And finally, what do you think of Glasgow's electronic scene at the moment?

Andrew: "The trend right now is definitely leaning towards electronic. There's a flurry of great new bands who alcove under that umbrella and they're all doing pretty well. Where I think we stand out is that we're not afraid to call our music pop  and I think people always relate to that"

I certainly do. If Apache Darling's two releases thus far are a guide, the pop world could well have some new synthpop heroes on the way. 

4. THE INSOMNIAC PROJECT

Another band who have grabbed me recently are new kids on the scene The Insomniac Project. They are a 6 piece who play a lovely brand of hugely catchy electro pop. They have only released two tracks so far, Parallels and Shake Those Demon both of which bring to mind all sorts from disco to the popper end of the DFA spectrum to Hot Chip and beyond.  I had a chat to Andy from the band

APA: It's the influences question again - tell us about the band's inspirations:

TIP: "Myself and Gaz are pretty much influenced by anything DFA related from LCD to Holy Ghost! and beyond. We also take the indie side of our influences from the like of Bloc Party and mix that with the likes of The 2 Bears."

APA: And how would you describe your music? What's the #nosleepforthedreamers hashtag all about?

TIP: "We want to have a crisp, polished sound that lends it to a commercial feel, embracing our pop side. On stage though, we want it to be more dynamic. As there's six of us we're on top of each other and we feed off each other's energy. The hashtag was a tagline I first came up with when I came up with the idea for the group. It ties in with the band's name and with the idea of escapism, about using music as an escape from the mundanity of everyday life."

APA: What about Glasgow's current electronic scene - how do you see that?

TIP: "It's on the up. Obviously, Chvrches have done amazingly. Bands like Atom Tree and Apache Darling are barking up the same tree as us so hopefully we can all flourish this year."

APA; Talking of this year, what does 2015 have in store for you?

TIP: "Short term, hopefully a few more demos before our show at The Old Hairdressers on February 27th. We then plan on writing and releasing an e.p and we'd love to play shows with some more established acts.

As Andy mentioned there, the band play The Old Hairdressers in Glasgow on February 27th and it will no doubt be quite a show. 

5. HAPPY MEALS

The final band I caught up with are Happy Meals who released their debut album Apero on Glasgow's Night School Records last year. A mix of cosmic synth genius and analog disco joy, the album was one of my favourites of last year. Suzi from the band granted me an audience.

APA: Tell us about the history of Happy Meals?

HM: "Saturn's moons aligned with Neptune and the cosmic vibrations turned us to each other. We have grown up together and, in the last year, decided to start making music together. Apero is the culmination.

APA: How pleased were you with the album?

HM: "So pleased. We've made many new friends and have explored bright horizons thanks to the kindness of people who have liked the album. It's a real pleasure to know that people all around the world are listening to and enjoying our music. It's beyond our expectations."

APA: And what are your 2015 plans?

HM: "We're touring for two weeks at the start of April with our good friend Michael from Apostle. We'll also be putting our minds and hearts together for the next album starting in the summer."

CONCLUSION TIME AGAIN

At the moment, Glasgow has as vibrant an electronic scene as anywhere else I can think of. The five bands who I've interviewed all come from different ends of the electronic spectrum, but they all have in common their fantastic music. It's a real joy to have discovered these and bands and to keep discovering more every week. If you are from Glasgow, celebrate this scene and dive in. See the bands live, but their releases and be proud that the city is producing such a diverse range of outstanding music. If you'r not from here, come and see us and join in. You'll find all the electronic music you need.

Thanks very much to everyone for giving up their time to speak to me. All the links to the bands' Facebook and Twitter pages are found in the articles above

(c) Almost Predictable. Almost 2015. No part of this article is to be reproduced without the prior consent of the author.

HAPPY MEALS - APERO

Happy Meals are another example of the great electronic music Glasgow continues to produce. The duo (Suzanne Rodden and Lewis Cook) released their debut album Apero on Glasgow based Night School Records on 10 November and it is a real treat. 

The album's six tracks take you on a journey through an analogue synthesizer filled universe and the rather wonderful electronics merge beautifully with Rodden's vocals which are sung in both French and English. Opener Crystal Salutation is a 9 minute epic that has distinct echoes of the electronic Kosmische side of the Krautrock scene as synths bubble and float around criss-crossing with Rodden's voice to great effect. To these overly sensitive Depeche Mode ears, there's also a feel of DM's In Chains especially at the start when the synthesizers wake up and start working. The much shorter Electronic Disco follows, pushing the band towards a poppier sound albeit one that has a very experimental feel. Side 1 (I managed to get one of the limited edition vinyl versions which is a smashing thing) ends with Altered Images (listen here) which is simply a great synthpop tune with a superb bouncy bass line. The Age of Love kicks off Side 2 and it's immediately redolent of mid 70's era Kraftwerk, somewhere between Radioactivity and The Man Machine which is never going to be a bad thing. Visions of Utopia follows and, perfectly logically, moves from Kraftwerk to an early Human League or Cabaret Voltaire feel with its analogue loops and clicks. The album then ends on the excellent Le Voyage, another song with a poppier feel and an acid like bassline which rounds the album off perfectly. The whole record is a journey through electronic music and it's a really promising debut album that you just want to keep listening to. 

Check out Night School Records website for more info on Happy Meals and all their other artists ( http://nightschoolrecords.com/ ) and keep an eye on their Facebook page too