There is a reason why I run back to Glasgow so often – it’s the people. The people of Glasgow greet you warmly as a returning friend and make you feel at home no matter where you are from and what you are going through. The Glaswegian music community anchored me during my studies providing me with discovery, friendship, and an escape.
After completing my finals at the Glasgow School of Art in 2012, I spent my last few nights as a Glasgow resident at my beloved haunt, Bloc+ . There was a mini-festival called Slow Fest featuring stripped-back sets of some of my favorite Scottish acts: Louis Abbot of Admiral Fallow (billed as Paco Luna), Friends in America, The Twilight Sad, and of course, Scott Hutchison of Frightened Rabbit (billed as the “mysterious Owl John”).
I hold those nights close to my heart because they capture some of my happiest times in the city. When Scott took the stage, the room instantly became a family and together we belted the lyrics of “Keep Yourself Warm” while the winter furrowed outside. What is insane is I recently happened upon a YouTube video of this particular memory courtesy of Bloc+ and I’m so happy I can revisit it.
My friend David Weaver (Detour Scotland, booker at The Hug and Pint, Music Organizer extraordinaire) helped curate Slow Fest at Bloc+ back then and once had the hope of filling a particular Bloc+ jukebox with mixes from friends. The request went out for the mixes and only one person responded – Scott. Hear the story and mix below.
David Weaver shares his memories and his initial email from Scott below:
Six or seven years ago, I was working for Bloc+, and I decided that we could maybe fill the jukebox up with some compilation albums, curated by friends of the pub. One of the only people who ended up getting back to me was Scott. He put together a playlist, and he was also going to draw us an original wee cover for the album. Of course, the jukebox ended up breaking, everyone got busy, and it never actually came to fruition.
But I do still have that playlist. I thought some of you might enjoy the chance to have a wee drink with him tonight.
This is his email which explains how to enjoy it fully:
"Hello sir!
A belated track listing for that Bloc mix. It's called 'Approximately One Hour Of Heavy Drinking With Frightened Rabbit' Here goes...
Abel - The National
Mess Around - Ray Charles
My Own Worst Enemy - Lit
Frankie's Gun - The Felice Brothers
Yeah Sapphire - The Hold Steady
Da' Ya' Think I'm Sexy? - Rod Stewart
Dancing On The Ceiling - Lionel Richie
Cherry Lips - Archie Bronson Outfit
Sure Shot - Beastie Boys
Rag Mama Rag - The Band
Always In Love - Wilco
All Apologies - Nirvana
John Allyn Smith Sails - Okkervil River
Not One Bit Ashamed - King Creosote
Sail Away - Randy Newman
"I guess the idea is that it starts off with a set of belters to kick off the drinking, half way through you fancy a wee dance, and by the end of the disc, you've been knocking back so many that you've become a maudlin bastard/bastardess. It all ends in tears... I reckon these tunes should all be dead easy to find and I'll sketch a wee cover for it soon.
Cheers!"
Tonight, October 11th, KEXP will be hosting Music Heals Mental Health: A Tribute to Scott Hutchison. Here, some of the artists playing the event share what the music of the Frightened Rabbit and Owl John frontman means to them.
Andrew W.K. 's latest album is titled You're Not Alone, a message that will resonate with KEXP listeners.
After reports of being missing, the Scottish songwriter’s body was found last night in Port Edgar. He was 36.
