Scottish label Song, By Toad Records are celebrating their 10th birthday with a series of shows, with the first featuring the likes of Samantha Crain, Breakfast Muff, Pictish Trail, Jonnie Common, Adam Stafford, Lush Purr, with more acts to be announced.
Playing host to the show in September, Inshriach House in Aviemore carries a special resonance for Song, by Toad, and not just because it’s the home of the Inshriach Distillery, producer of Speyside gins. “We just wanted a really good party, honestly, and Walter at Inshriach loves gin, silly old cars and music, so he is a bit of a kindred spirit,” label founder Matthew Young explains. “Also, we recorded Split 12″ Vol.3 at Inshriach House back in 2013 and the bands we worked with then have gone on to become the heart of the record label.”
Of course, there’ll be artists who have made the core of the label roster over the past decade, but this party is about friends across the board. “The idea behind the show is ‘Song, by Toad and Friends’, so we’re looking at a lineup which goes beyond the label itself.” Besides, Young doesn’t want anyone to miss out on the fun – especially the bands themselves. “I am asking all the label bands to play early, so that they can stop worrying about work and join in the party with everyone else…”
American folk artist Samantha Crain,was one of Young’s first ever interviewees back in his blogging days. “We’ve recorded a Toad Session with her and put her on in Edinburgh ourselves. I even snuck out to see her play in Hudson in New York when she wasn’t expecting it, so I am delighted she’s agreed to fly over for the gig.”
Scottish Album of the Year nominee and founder of Lost Map Records Johnny Lynch (aka Pictish Trail) helped Mathew Young in the early days of Song, By Toad. Young recalls: “He was one of the first friends I made in the music industry. He has been there from the very start of Toad, turning up at our launch gig at The Meridian, and as he runs a label too he knows every last thing about how much I suffer.”
Song, By Toad Records 10th anniversary live programme (further lineup announcements to follow):
15th September – Inshriach House / Highland Line (Tickets)
28th September – Leith Depot / Origins Line (Tickets)
15th November – Henry’s Cellars Bar / Grandemange Line (Tickets)
23rd November – St John on Bethnal Green / Chalmersmith & City Line
15th December – Leith Cricket Club / Christmas Line (Tickets)
Website: http://songbytoad.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/songbytoadrecords/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/SongbyToad
