MUSIC | Previews 104 THE LIST 5 Nov 2015–4 Feb 2016
WORLD MDOU MOCTAR The Hug & Pint, Glasgow, Fri 20 Nov; Electric Circus, Edinburgh, Sat 21 Nov The trailer to Tedalat Taha Tazoughai (‘Rain the colour of red with a little blue in it’) sees Mdou Moctar riding a motorbike across the Sahara desert, a guitar slung across his back. The soundtrack is suitably panoramic: fluid, modal guitar licks, halfway between Jimi Hendrix and Ali Farka Touré, over the camel- train lope of the drums. The world’s first Tuareg language feature film, Tedalat . . . tells the fictionalised story of the young Agadez guitar hero, folding in more than a few nods to Prince’s Purple Rain and Jimmy Cliff’s The Harder They Come. At the time of going to press, screenings of the movie are still to be confirmed, but Moctar’s live shows – his first in Scotland – are unmissable, with the crackling energy and showmanship that comes from rocking Saharan wedding parties and Western rock clubs alike. Moctar’s music is in the takamba and assouf styles, faster and more raw than that of Tinariwen. His 2008 debut, Anar, is a still-astonishing fusion of Tuareg music, autotune and drum machines, but subsequent releases have focused on his acoustic campfire songs and wild electric jams. Wielding his left-handed Stratocaster, Moctar is one of the most exciting guitarists on the planet. (Stewart Smith)
GARAGE ROCK COURTNEY BARNETT O2 ABC, Glasgow, Wed 2 Dec
Courtney Barnett seemed to hit the UK music scene fully formed with her quirky tales of modern life. Humorous lyrics, delivered in her distinctive Aussie twang, are underpinned by searing garage rock. Barnett started writing and performing her own material at the age of 18, also playing guitar with a number of bands in Tasmania and Melbourne (including Immigrant Union formed by Brent DeBoer of the Dandy Warhols).
Her 2013 single ‘Avant Gardener’ marked Barnett as a talent in her own right and made
the rest of the world sit up and take notice. Her intimate, relatable, funny and brilliantly written vignettes struck a chord. Championed by Rolling Stone, Pitchfork and The New York Times, even Jack White’s a fan and recently produced two tracks with Barnett at his Third Man Studios in Nashville. ‘It was a real honour to be invited along to record with him,’ says Barnett, ‘he’s a really nice guy, really supportive. It’s nice to know someone like that is listening to your music.’
Barnett isn’t the most talkative interviewee. It’s hard to tell if she’s uncomfortable, shy or just incredibly laid-back. You get the impression she’s a reluctant rock star, in love with the music but less impressed with the attention offstage. She takes her lyrics from a notebook she keeps every day. ‘It’s pretty scattered. I might just write down a sentence or a conversation I overhear, draw a picture or something. I just keep note of everything so I don’t forget it,’ she explains. ‘Sometimes the right thing jumps out at you and if it feels right I just go with it. I go through my journal and write out my favourite lines, so it’s like a culling process, and I stick them on the wall, rearrange them. It’s madness. I’m sure there’s a better way to write a song.’ (Henry Northmore)
ECLECTIC FESTIVAL DETOUR AND THE LIST PRESENT SIXFEST Various venues, Glasgow and Edinburgh, Mon 23–Sat Nov 28
If you’ve not yet heard of Detour, I’m not sure where you’ve been. Weaver, Ally and the team have been kicking around like loveable delinquents for six years now, promoting exciting new Scottish music however they can. Over the years, they’ve turned their hands to video channels, DJ sets, blogs, podcasts, TV – and, of course, gigs. From the tried and trusted sweaty bar night, to 14th-century abbeys, or taking over a planetarium for the weekend, it’s all about innovative musical experiences. For six days in November, Detour will team up with The List for Sixfest – six gigs to celebrate six
years of Detour. Throughout the week we’ll bring you gigs across Glasgow and Edinburgh, from BDY_PRTS (pictured) at Bloc (Tue Nov 24) to YAK at Sneaky Pete’s (Thu Nov 26) and Happy Meals at the Poetry Club (Wed Nov 25). There’s also Bossy Love at the Hug & Pint (Fri Nov 27), and a secret party in assocation with Sofar (Mon Nov 23) with a special guest lineup revealed on the night. We’re topping it off with a massive blow-out on Sat Nov 28 at one of Detour’s renowned eclectic venues – sign up at detour-scotland.com. (Kirstyn Smith)
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