A special album from Scotland for Japan will be released via bandcamp on April 11th.

'Love Letter To Japan' has been specially compiled by Duglas T Stewart to raise funds for the Japanese relief effort and to send support to the people of Japan. The album will be exclusively available for one month only. The tracks come from a wide range of acclaimed Scottish musicians.

"Many of us Scottish musicians have received so much love and support over the years from friends and fans in Japan. Now we want to send some love and support back to the people of Japan" Duglas.

The album features exclusive, previously unreleased tracks from BAFTA and Golden Globe winning composer Craig Armstrong, Stevie Jackson of Belle & Sebastian, BMX Bandits, Bill Wells, The Pearlfishers, The Pastels, Snowgoose, Alasdair Roberts, Paul Quinn, The Starlets and Eugenius. The Eugenius track will be their first new recording to be released in 15 years. BMX Bandits tracks was recorded in Tokyo with Japanese group Tenniscoats. Momus currently lives in Japan and was there when the earthquake and tsunami hit the country.

All funds from the release go directly to The Japanese Relief Effort.

1. Snowgoose: Harmony Springs
2. The Pastels: The Pastels: Guest of Honour
3. Hidden Masters: Golden Hair
4. Stevie Jackson: Price of an Education
5. Paul Quinn: Away
6. BMX Bandits (with Yeongene & Tenniscoats): Standing Still
7. Eugenius: Friend or Foe
8. The Pearlfishers: Swan Dreams (live)
9. Bill Wells & Tape: Troublesome Malady
10. Ally Kerr: Could Have Been a Contender
11. Lenzie Moss: Where Eagles Dare
12. St. Deluxe: After the Fire
13. Jo Mango: The Moth and the Moon
14. Alasdair Roberts & Mairi Morrison: Bràdhagair an Taobh Siar
15. Randolph's Leap: Going Home
16. Craig Armstrong: Cherry Blossom
17. The Starlets (with The Andersens): To Make You Feel Brand New
18. Momus: I Can See Japan

Available from: http://lovelettertojapan.bandcamp.com/

For more info please email lovelyduglas@googlemail.com

Thank you.

RIP - Bill Pitcock IV (Dwight Twilley Band)

(via Paul Collins facebook)

It seems as though that scare yesterday was just rumour.

Let’s hope that it stays that way. While I’ve no tangible reason to think there’s

a god lately, this is definitely a welcome development. Meanwhile taking a 180° turn to a worthy combo, The Primevals jaunt to punt “Disinhibitor” rolls South this weekend (London The 229 Club and The Hydrant in Brighton) and on to retrace their steps of several moons ago in France. If they’re headed anywhere near you then please make the effort to see them. There’s no way you’ll be disappointed. No expectations or promises for the coming week. That way, no-one (except me) will be disappointed when I fail to use the time off wisely. It would be good if the cycle of futility could be broken but I’m not holding my breath. Or perhaps that’s the solution? A couple of things that I have tried to organise have failed to materialise so business as usual would appear to be the trajectory. There’s always tidying what passes for a garden/drive but only as a final resort.