Before I knew Bart I went to see Eagleowl at the Wee Red Bar with the Kays bass player Jake. After the gig I drunkenly cornered Bart to tell him that Eagleowl were my new favourite band and that they were "fucking amazing" or something along these lines.  I'm sure Bart remembers this well – or perhaps tries to forget! Only Meursault have suffered a similar drunken rambling – something along the lines of "you're my second favourite band behind eagleowl" if I recall.

Anyways, nothing has changed since that fateful night. Apart from being one of the most talented musicians I know, Mr. B. Owl has the knack of writing some brilliant, brilliant tunes and on The Thoughts You Never Had he takes this to a new level. And now his band mates are chipping in with their own little gems too.  I used to tell Bart he needed drums and that his vocal needed to be more prominent – I think he may have taken onboard my second comment – perhaps not deliberately - but the first one he has completely ignored and by God was he right too. This band don't need drums and they never will. They don't need anything other than the three perfectly matched voices, the wonderful use of a wide array of string instruments and the great tunes that they consistently produce.

I am in awe of their togetherness as a band and if this EP is not heard by people far and wide then it's a crime. Buy this EP, if for nothing else the sheer brilliance that is the title track "The Thoughts You Never Had" which is undoubtedly the best song I've heard for a long time. "Blanket" is another brilliant folk song where Bart and Clarissa's vocals combine beautifully. And let's not forget Malcolm who has not only contributed a tune to this EP but whose fantastic violin playing perfectly compliments the dirty guitar and lush double bass that makes Eagleowl, Eagleowl. This is just brilliant. If I didn't already love these guys this would win me over every time.

Eagleowl officially launch the EP through Fife Kills, with a show at St John's Church as part of the Retreat Festival on 16th August – do not miss it. 

and the other one

Trampoline started a year ago to try and help address the attitude that the best Scottish music scene can be found in Glasgow, to unite the two cities, and to put on regular gigs showcasing the best in Edinburgh/Glasgow music and art. One band that have become firm favourites of Trampoline are Falkirk's Y'all Is Fantasy Island who's new album 'Rescue Weekend' is out now.

Now I'm no music journalist nor do I profess to be one, but I am a massive music fan and having been introduced to Y'all Is Fantasy Island by Bart from eagleowl/Gentle Invasion I fell in love with their discordant, capricious live performances.  Every time I've seen them I am blown away and surprised by the changes in pace and the frantic direction of songs. Song structures and tunings that shouldn't really work but somehow do.  As a musician myself I am always excited by music that challenges but even so, on first listen to YIFI's new album even I have to admit I was surprised and somewhat disturbed by what I was listening to.  Don't get me wrong, this is a brilliant piece of dark and thoughtful music but it challenges from beginning to end and makes for somewhat difficult listening at times. But believe me, if you stick with the journey through Adam Stafford's, at times, tortured existence it will be full of rewards. Whilst bleak, this album is filled with beautiful intricacies which take it away from the depressing and into the sublime. Filled with beautiful harmonies and the most delicate use of instrumentation, this album really is something special. It should be said however that the album shouldn't be used to determine how the band will sound live and you can expect a much more energetic offering when their 2nd long player of the year 'No Ceremony' is released. Also, having had Adam at Trampoline this weekend past to do a solo set, I can guarantee that even armed with only an acoustic guitar he will make more noise live than Rescue Weekend comes close to making! But with Rescue Weekend, YIFI have in my honest opinion produced one of the best albums of the year and there appears to be only better to come.

please check out these artists.  they make me want to better everything I do.