Whenever something is finally out in the world (on shop racks and elsewhere), one can’t help but think back on what’s come before. With the release of the upcoming BALLADEER / to all the guys i’ve loved before 12″ LP (on swirled mint 180 gram vinyl, no less), I’ve come across a short demo idea for a song we ended up recording in full with Husky Höskulds in Banff. I can’t remember the flow from bare bones idea to fully finished song, but somehow some of the notes in the sloppy guitar backing in the demo have made their way through to the piano in the final version. (And a note on the finished recording: If you listen closely, there’s even a trio of tubular bells in there too).

• Music Belongs to Those Who Make It (THEN: Demo Idea)
• Music

On today’s flight from Calgary to Glasgow, I found myself sat next to Sarah (from Australia) on my left and Alistair (from Dundee) on my right, all three of us proud gingers. We named our row Team Ginger and spoke for most of the flight about food, politics, and chasing love around the world. Shortly before breakfast, I fell asleep for an hour or so and had a repeat of a dream from childhood, the one where I’m flying through the air over glowing cityscapes at night (which reminded me of this little demo that came out on a children’s compilation last year that I lost track of somewhere along the line). Getting off the plane in Scotland felt like coming to a home I’ve been away from for far too long.

• Little Nemo (Winter Lullabye)

Catriona Sturton has been a swell friend for the past year, and has appeared on this website more than once (singing along to a couple of Magnetic Fields’ covers here and here). She’s also part of Plumtree, a Canadian indie mainstay whose fortunes have just taken the bizarre turn of one of their songs forming the basis for one of the summer’s most hyped films, Scott Pilgrim vs. The World. In celebration, Gooseberry Records has put together We’ve Liked You For a Thousand Years: A Tribute to Plumtree, coming out next week via our friends at Zunior. Until then, here’s a glimpse at the Woodpigeon rendition of ‘I Love U When You’re Walkin’ Away’ from Plumtree’s Predicts the Future album. Go Plumtree!

• I Love U When You’re Walkin’ Away [Plumtree]

In studio, watching FOONYAP record the base tracks for her gorgeous ‘The Blue Lagoon’, waiting for the other string players to arrive. My wisdom teeth sores are killing me, so it’s nice to just watch someone else at work. Later on tonight, hot springs and maybe even a gondola ride up a mountain. We’re spoiled by where we live – we’re spoiled by one another. I can’t wait for the world to hear what Foon’s up to.… Continue reading