Paul MacKay - 1st Waterfront Open Mic I went to

Oh how things have progressed since those days, but I still like this drawing. Makes you just want to go up and give him a hug bless'im!

Emma Pollock, Connect Festival

Emma Pollock, Drawn on Saturday Morning at Connect - invited at the last minute she played well under her alias 'TBC'. A fine Songstress and lovely lady. Always a joy to draw, and always room for more.
Just to say Emma Pollock will be playing in the Pacific Quay along with The Dykeenies, and The Royal We on Monday night hosted by Vic Galloway as a sort of House Warming - sounds like great fun - I think you can get your free tickets by calling the Radio Scotland number which you'll be able to find on their website - that's if they're not gone already!

T in the Park

If anyone's interested in the pics/prints you can email me direct at info@jennysoep.com


Yes!! That's what I said - T in the Park my friends, T in the f**king Park!!! With a week to go, and since TBreak loved my stuff but didn't know how to use me, I had almost given up on getting in, but No! I had a storm in my Brain that came up with a cunning plan that worked out not too bad!!
BRILLIANT result and weekend. Scottish Water being the MOST lovely people who sponsored me to draw at the Futures Tent which was an eclectic international bunch of the 'Very Up and Coming'. Have to wonder why there weren't any Scottish bands there though - I think it was a combination of iether they were too famous to play Futures or not famous enough. Will see what Dunstaffnage Music Festival in a couple of weeks can inspire them to get for next year.

After kicking myself for missing Unclejam on the Saturday morning, tho' not so regretful for missing Lost Alone after just listening to their current myspace sounds, I get to bump into Remi Nicole again. While on route from London to the Oxygen festival, knackered and wearing the same clothes she'd gone to sleep in on the overnight train, she still provides her charming observational wit in her catchy songs. I miss her waistcoat and tie - but to be jet setting like she is, perfectly okay to dress festival style.

Kate Nash is next and really lovely, gorgeous, versatile, talented, kooky and only just 20! The crowd come armed with Kate Nash flags and one in particular wishing her a happy birthday which she duly notes and loves - and I duly depict in my pic. Her little green tea pot sits pet-like on her keyboard while she sparkily chats to her adoring fans.

Next it's the wind-up energy of Reverend and the Makers - lovely bunch of people backstage; Mouthy, ranting and 'delightfully up for a dispute' with the crowd when onstage.

Beginning to think I'd leave after the first sounds of Ghosts when I'm pleasantly drawn back in and produce one of my most atmospheric pictures. I see they're going to be supporting Keane in the near future, which makes sense. There's a certain electric epicness in common.

Air Traffic I miss as I go off in search of some festival fodder and to catch a sense of the Saturday atmosphere. Manage to catch a bit of The Skids on the Main Stage, which seems to be an emotionally charged performance. Wish I'd been around to catch them in their hey day, though they certainly still know how to entertain! 'James' are wired and sexy - really enjoy their set. Boogy about instead of drawing. Great to see them getting 'Dancers from the crowd' - gals only - all blokes shown the exit!! How sexist is that??!!
And ultimate gladness - I gleefully exchanged drawing the Enemy for greetin' my little heart out and watching Brian Wilson play his stage. Wow. Gave him a wet drawing - hope it didn't drip on his trousers!
Sunday I check out the Brian Jonestown Massacre, again in the Pet Sounds arena, and I have to say I'm absolutely captivated by the guy playing the tambourine with the BIG sideys and retro hippy outfit. He just looks so arrogantly lackadaisical while keeping perfect timing.

So who impresses me from the Futures stage? Really like the Reverend and the Makers - lovely folk too; The Sounds are bloody sexy - wow the lead singer Maja? A wee sex bomb so she is, and a viperous entertainer - great fun. Shiny Toy Guns were great - female singer also a great performer, without having to wear just her undies and do high kicks like Maja!! The Horrors, really do like their whole show - bloody hilarious. Wonder how many people get nutted by their pineapple on a rope they throw into the hoaching crowd. When they can't get their pineapple back, the crowd chuck a variety of things on stage - a lovely necklace being one of them, which Faris genteelly picks up, graciously thanking the anonymous chucker.

Kate Nash is lovely and kooky, with similar witty observational qualities of teenage curiousness and chatty storytelling style as Remi Nicole, but girly-er.
Plan B is at the opposite end of the spectrum. An attrative angsty teenage? Eminem style English white rapper who I initially think 'Nah, this ain't fo' me' - mostly because I find my normal innattentiveness unable to pick up the stories in it - but find myself attracted like a moth to a flame and really enjoying it. I also produce one of the best pics of the weekend - who'd have thought? Must be the Rythm and Poetry.

Right got to go. Will add more later. Remember, if you're interested in the pics/prints you can email me direct at info@jennysoep.com

Updates on the Proclaimers

Well folks, here's the rest of the big pics from the Proclaimers Gig. Couple o' 'wee wans' to come soon.

Taking orders for Limited Edition Prints to be made by the 30th of June.
Email me on info@jennysoep.com for enquiries/to place your order.

New Website!!!! New New New!!! Go Check it Out!!!

TBreak - Final in King Tut's, Thursday 10th May 2007

Excellent night. Great mix of bands giving it their all, full of fun, frolic and madness and intent on enjoying themselves to the maximum. Probably the least confident in their delivery may have been Miss the Occupier, and The Moth and the Mirror who had a nervous start but soon became immersed in their music.
Good luck to them all, they all deserve a sip of T in the Park.
Pictures are in order starting from the bottom - The Moth and The Mirror, The Sorren MacLean Band, Miyagi, Miss the Occupier, Cider Spiders, and The Cuts.
Prints available of all starting from £18 - £25 plus P&P. Email info@jennysoep.com

Ballads of the Book - Pictures

What a fantastic day this was! Pity on those who didn't make it into a sell out gig. It really was a feast for all the senses. Great Accoustic, Electric, Readings, DJ's, atmosphere and art?!
Highlights?
Aidan Moffat's poetry and onstage performance is always provocative, darkly humerous and brilliant. He's also a great musician and DJ. And he did the design work for the Ballads album. Is there no end to this man's talent? Think I'll write to him and tell him he's not allowed any more.
Burnt Island, Karine Polwart and Alasdair Roberts performed some stunning music/songs. Foxface were even better than the last time I saw them - D.John is also another man with too much talent. James Yorkston was great with his fellow musicians on stage. I like his gigs but he's a difficult personality to get to know. Emma Pollock was great. Norman Blake sucked - only 2 songs! Didn't give me any time to get right in to what his music is/was - still none the wiser. Missed Sons and Daughters, and King Creosote, but I'm saving up to manufacture another me, so that next time I can indeed be in two places at once!
If anyone wants a visual souvenir/print from £18, mail me at info@jennysoep.com and grab a bargain while I'm cheap enough! Some Originals still left for sale as well if you're lucky enough to get them before they're sold out!
Photos of Expo by Andy Wilson

12th August 2006 - Throwback - Uncle John and Whitelock

One of, if not THE gig of the year - a full day skate event to raise money for Oban's skatepark was ended magnificently by that voodoo rock belter of a band, Uncle John and Whitelock, supported by the otherworldly tenderness of Foxface and raw madness of The Wallopers. An amazing time had by all in a tardis like village hall in FURTHER than the back of beyond, Easdale island, complete with blazing moonlit night and meteor showers on a slate beach - home of the World Stone Skimming championships no less! Beat THAT with a blade and smoke it.

Mr Hudson and the Library Pictures

Yes, unbelievably, it has been 5 days since I have had the necessary technology, and that was in the heart of Glasgow. Hope you didn't mind the wait.
I must just add that there was another band supporting called the Envy Corps. Quite different to the other two bands, perhaps not the best choice of pairing. They were from the States and had big egos. However I very much liked drawing the drummer and the bass guitarist. I think they were brothers. Very cool characters, lanky, geeky and intriguing. Very into what sounds they were creating. The drummer lost his glasses at some point; bit like the muppet Animal with his kit.

Mr Hudson and the Library,

'The Bread & Roses EP is a unique insight into the eclectic world of Mr Hudson & The Library. It shows a cross-pollination of hip hop and reggae beats with old fashioned song writing.'
http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendID=34791778

NiceNSleazy's. Great night. Mr Hudson and the Library on tour. Good vibes and talent on the stage, great people, great songs, great suits, ties and hats! Freezing night, but crowd kept in the warmth.
They're playing in Edinburgh tonight at the Cabaret Voltaire. If you're up for shaking a leg and having fun to some beats you couldn't do otherwise with, then I hope you can catch their last gig up here for a wee while.
They will soon be supporting Amy Winehouse along with their talented and sassy support, Remi Nicole.
All in all, great song writing, some humerous observations on life, and great singing. Excellent rappour with the Glasgow audience.

Pictures to follow once I get into the same room as a scanner.

The Wake of Uncle John and Whitelock

Avast ye fans dem GFM critters is become unlocked. The Body is Buried yet the Spirit Soars.

The last ever gig of Uncle John and Whitelock, surely not! Tis True. King Tut's, that Tomb of Vast Happenings in the Music Underworld, the location of such an epic finish to a tragically short lifespan.
It happens.

Fitting Support comes from the clammy numbers of the Heebie Jeebies, and the raw PJ Harvey-esque edge and Dark Blues of Sara and the Snakes, building up the Voodoo feeling to welcome the Witching Hour Chimes and the Coffin Bearers.
Dressed in mourning suits the skeleton crew put the Earthy Jitters in the entranced audience, pulling at their carnal rythms, and boogy desires.
Is this all a bit of Fancy? No sir, that's jest how it is.
Red Spotlights complement the shapes in the Dark, Lighting up the spasmodic rythms and energies of Uncle John, propelled by the spirits into the grappling hands of the Beast, yet still surfs back in one piece to the stage and centre of the Universe, for one night only.

Did you catch him?

Jenny Soep on the Janice Forsyth Radio Show

Well, biting the bullet and getting a blog. Let's see how this goes. Along with the many million that do it every day!

So, being on the Janice Forsyth Show was pretty special. Janice was great, promoting me and my wimpy website mercilessly. Definitely need to improve the site and get rid of the 'Coming Soon' Pages.

During her interview of Camera Obscura - a rather introverted bunch of folk (2 members missing that day) who make some intriguing music - Janice mentioned their great website - it is brilliant and you should check it out www.camera-obscura.net Very quirky and fun, clashing nicely with the American Gothic look of the band members. Don't know what all that moody brooding look is all about. Sweet and Arrogant. Perhaps they reckon their faces will crack with a smile.

However check them out on My Space too. Let's Get Out of This Country, I'm ready Lloyd and If Looks Could Kill all very much worth checking out. Original sounds with Tracyanne's identifiable and lovely scottish accent on the lyrics.

Anyway (more about me), not expecting to get talked to - aye, Jenny Soep yer on the radio, how the bloody hell else are the listeners gonnae know what yer up to eh?! - I didn't come prepared with 'sound bites' though I had been given good advice from friends and family that that's what I should have done. So I definitely did not come over as perhaps the most intelligent bean on the pole, but I managed to cling on with a certain confident air that I knew what I was doing, even if no-one else did. You can check out photos of the process and final pictures on the bbc radio website - http://www.bbc.co.uk/scotland/radioscotland/view/show.shtml?janice to catch a swatch of the action.

Cheers to Janice, and another wee step up on my mission to capture the Original Music Scene in Scotland.