Local arts space Tin Roof and musicians collective Rusty Hip are working together to give Dundee a much needed boost. If you can create something this successful after only two events then the future looks bright indeed.
Regional music scenes are regularly made up of different groups of people who don’t necessarily communicate well with each other. What chance do they have then to flourish beyond enthusiastic gig-goers?
Local council funded Music Development Officers in Dundee have failed to do what Rusty Hip has managed to achieve in a very short space of time – namely, get the local arts and music scene to communicate in a way that can benefit everyone.
Over 170 people gathered last night at the arts space Tin Roof to support the launch of the Rusty Hip Collective’s second print zine. Bands releasing songs on tape may be the latest trend but print zines take home the kudos as far as I’m concerned.
That such a large crowd gathered out of University term time – when Dundee is more likely to resemble a ghost town as far as gig audiences goes – speaks volumes for how many local artists and musicians showed up to be part of the launch.
The music on show wasn’t exactly bad either.
U.S. indie rock influenced trio Min Diesel were first on and in a rare example of self-awareness, are exactly as they describe themselves in their online biog. They “shamelessly plunder the best bits from their favourite late-80s/early-90s punk, lo-fi and math-rock bands’ back-catalogues to create music they’ve taken great amusement from dubbing min-die rock.”
As they’re exactly my cup of tea and I’d like to see them progress, I’m not going to sugarcoat a few points.
There hasn’t been a shortage of Scottish bands with that same set of influences so they’re going to get compared to bands who were/are a lot more energetic, dynamic, tighter and with more impressive vocal delivery. That said, in Min Diesel’s case they just about pull off their chosen genre with the odd seriously cracking tune.
They’ll only get better as they get tighter and I’d happily pay to see them now as they are. If they’re playing near you then do check them out.
Middle slot went to a solo musician who used a laptop and various bits of tech to create experimental beats and sounds. The poster advertised him as Stefan Blomeier but I can’t confirm if that’s who it was creating the music… It wasn’t a million miles away from Miaoux Miaoux if you removed all the instruments and used samples only. The entire piece was very carefully and slowly built up with layers over a much longer period than you’d expect, with a satisfyingly great payoff at the end. If the rousing applause was anything to go by, two thumbs up all round.
Completing the night we were entertained by The Iain Macaulay Trio who were brilliant. They’ve supported the likes of James Yorkston previously and their take on drums, bass, and acoustic guitar folk subversion is stunning.
It’s not jazz, folk or pop and yet you find yourself rewinding parts in your mind you’ve just heard so you can make sense of them. A naturally gifted guitarist, Iain Macaulay finger picks his way through one hugely enjoyable song after another.
A successful launch and everybody involved can be proud of the work they’ve put in to further build the local arts and music community.
