There’s so much amazing music being released into the wild today that it would be so easy not to know where to start. A wonderful quandary to have.

But when the incredible talents of Hebridean artists Josie Duncan, Willie Campbell, Scott C. Park and Alastair Caplin come together, though, you know you are about to hear something truly special.

Delve a little into how it came about, and it becomes extraordinary.

Next to You is a collection of original songs informed by their own varied and personal experiences of the pandemic and, specifically, the dramatic effects it had on their communities. (Click link below for video).

It’s part of a nationwide project to create memorials to the Covid pandemic.

Entitled ‘Remembering Together - Nah-Eileanan Siar’ it comes with its own physical publication which will be available digitally online and through streaming.

The eight original pieces include April and Closer Than Ever by Scott C. Park, In A Strange Way and Bob & Sylvia from Josie Duncan, All The World I Need and Where My Life Began by Willie Campbell, and Your Name Follows Me and O Cuin A Chi Mi Thusa Luaidh (Trad) from Alastair Caplin.

Posting about the project, Scott C. Park said: “It’s called Next To You, and it features new songs from me, Josie Duncan, Willie Campbell, and Alastair Caplin that are all about the pandemic and how it was felt by our island communities.

”This project started with Ali Caplin and Robbie Thomson (genius artist and overseer) holding drop-in ceilidhs across the islands for folks to come and reflect on the covid pandemic: the people they lost, what they missed, and the silver linings to be found on that dark, dark cloud.

”Drawing upon the stories gathered as inspiration, us writers then set about making some songs. We wrote them in January and recorded them in one week in February. Weirdly enough during this whole time the island was at a standstill due to heavy snow, which acted as a sort of lockdown simulator.”

Very much of the islands, you can catch them performing the tracks live next week:

SEPTEMBER 2024

• Weds 11th - An Lanntair, LEWIS 8pm

• Thurs 12th - Northbay Hall, BARRA 8pm

• Fri 13th - Dark Island Hotel, BENBECULA 8pm

Remember the Survival Sessions from Heb Celt during the pandemic. Josie was one of the artists who kindly gave up her time to take part.

Music is subjective, emotional, inspiring. But in the way Innes Strachan will no doubt like me have lost himself somewhere in the beats of The Chemical Brothers over the years, the first tracks from his new project LUSA crashed over me like waves.

I don’t know why. Maybe it was the poetry and storytelling of Donald Macdonald’s writing, the calming, dream state tones of Beth Malcolm’s vocals juxtaposed with Ruairidh Graham’s rhythms or Innes’ synths. The first time I listened to their first track Probably, I swear I could have cried just a little.

So today’s release of their debut album The Colour of Space has been eagerly awaited by me, and the thousands of new followers they have amassed.

It’s simply beautiful.

From the scene setting opener of TMASS directing its electronic rich and beat heavy course, offeríng just the late, faintest nod to its older Niteworks cousin, it carves its own niche with the club night friendly Hawea, all consuming Crosses, soundscaped Glaiste and if you are old enough to remember Fluffy Little Clouds by The Orb or enjoy Public Service Broadcasting, the new tune Flight will be for you.

To be honest, nothing I can say about this album would do it justice. It’s the birth of a new and exciting chapter for music in Scotland. Play Hats at the ready. Go. listen, enjoy.

A first for Good Stuff In Between has been supporting the PR launch for harpist Pippa Reid-Foster’s contemporary new album Undercurrents which is out today.

She recently talked about her new release on our podcast where she delved into her creative process, how she came to win support from Max Richter and Philip Glass among others, and how her career was almost ended by injury.

Today the story of how she has dedicated the album to the NHS hand surgeon who saved her ability to play made the headlines in The Herald, Daily Mail, The National, her hometown titles at Lochside Press and the Heleburgh Advertiser.

Huge congratulations to Pippa, who has been a pleasure to work with. You can order the album from Bandcamp at this link.

The Hit Maker

What? The upcoming debut EP ‘Passenger Side’ from Glasgow artist Sara Rae out on September 27.

Elevator Pitch: A confident radio ready hit that comes with a rocky, crowd pleasing hook that will translate beautifully to live venues across the country.

Quotable: "Passenger Side is all about love and loss and coming to terms with it. It’s given me the opportunity to delve into the uglier emotions that people often hide; jealousy, anger, even pettiness and being able to show the learning that came from feeling those things." - Sara Rae

Discover: Spotify. Instagram. Linktr.ee.

Record of the Week

Brooke Combe - The Last Time

🕺We dare you not to dance.

😴 Moteh Parrot has released a fab new album in The Stones Are Merely Sleeping.

🎵 16-year-old singer-songwriter Ellijai from Glasgow is set to release her third single Get Real Get Feel a week today. Watch the video here.

🎪 Fresh Ayr Folk Festival have released the date for next year’s event.

🎉 Don’t forget, the Govan Footbridge Festival takes place on Saturday to celebrate the opening of a new link between Govan and Partick in Glasgow. Acts playing include Shooglenifty, Horse McDonald, Colonel Mustard and the Dijon Five, Ben Walker and The Red Hot Chilli Pipers.

🥇This year’s 20 strong long list for the Scottish Album of the Year Awards will be released on Thursday. Good luck to all those who entered.

Thanks for reading. Got music news to share? Email us: [email protected]