Download a free compilation from Armellodie Records

Superlative Glasgow-based indie label Armellodie have released a free compilation as a taste of what we can expect from them in 2014, and to showcase some of the highlights from their back catalogue. The label's Alan Souter says: "It's our annual toast to the future hits and the floppy discs we so proudly stand behind."

Speaking exclusively to The Skinny, Souter continues: "The sampler is a good mix between tracks that came out on releases from last year and songs plucked from the back catalogue. It’s an annual thing that we’ve been doing for the past few years and we do like to include a track from everyone on the roster. Some artists maybe haven’t released something in a few years so it’s a good excuse to go back and get reacquainted with some old gems. We also try to include some forthcoming stuff too, this year we only had one definite release scheduled at the time of putting the compilation together, a band called Appletop from the dirty south of France, and so we snuck that on."

Of the bands featured, who have new albums / EPs planned for the first half of 2014 - what should we be looking forward to on Armellodie? "We have a fairly sizeable roster now so it’s getting more and more difficult to keep tabs on the scallies but there’s a lot of fun stuff in the pipeline," says Souter. "We’re releasing an album by Appletop in March. Theirs is a sound of fuzzed up guitars, pared back production values and stick-to-your-ribs melodies – think Sebadoh, Pavement, Teenage Fanclub – so we’re buzzing about that at the moment. We’re working with a cool indie over there called A Quick One Records to make the most out of the release. It’s all an education."

And later in the year? "Springtime is going to busy too with the return of Chris Devotion & The Expectations and The Hazey Janes, both of whom are reasonably established now, within Scotland anyways, so it’ll be interesting to see where their new records will take them," Souter continues. "Other than that who knows, I’ve heard whispers that Gourock’s finest, Galoshins are finishing up a new EP, love that band dearly so can't wait. Hopefully there’ll be some more unhinged sounds from Gastric Band too as I know they’ve been experimenting recording live to two-track, keen to hear the results of that. So like I said, lots of fun stuff in the pipeline."

Armellodie have quietly made themselves a trusted brand in Scottish music over the years - what are the qualities that make Souter want to work with a band or ann artist? "Armellodie has grown pretty organically, of the first thirty releases we put out – we’re up to ARM42 now - from the early 7” singles and small CDr single runs to proper full-blown manufactured 12” vinyls and CD albums," he says.

"I can honestly say all of those artists were pals to a lesser or greater extent before we signed them. There was nothing premeditated with regards to the label’s image or anything like that, it wasn’t a consideration in terms of an Armellodie sound, we just wanted to make sure everything was, to our ears, good quality. So we had some talented friends, we liked the sound of what they were doing and we figured we could work together."

Soon however, other bands came knocking: "It wasn’t until later on, once we had run out of pals, and I guess had established ourselves to a degree, that we started to get our virtual desks flooded with demos," says Souter. "Whilst our roster tends to consist in the main of guitar based music there is no hard and fast rules in defining an Armellodie sound and it seems a bit late to implement a strict A&R policy. So it’s as simple as if we like what we hear, and the timing is right, we’ll give it a shot."

Asked if he has any message to pass on to Armellodie fans, and people new to the label, Souter replies: "Have a listen to the sampler and if there’s anything you like the sound of. If there is, dig a little deeper. Check out the full release or go and see them live. Support the artists. Support your local scene." Catching himself, he laughs: "Could this sound anymore lame!? Ha, eh, hold on I've got it... You can't ration fun!"

The new Armellodie compilation features tracks from The Hazey Janes, Cuddly Shark, The Scottish Enlightenment, Super Adventure Club and Galoshins, all of whom we've covered extensively over the years, including getting The Hazey Janes to write a tour diary about their experiences supporting Wilco - look below for links to our features and reviews. Stream the compilation in full below, or download here.

From the archive

FEATURES
On the road with The Hazey Janes, Part 1 / Part 2 / Part 3 / Part 4 
The Scottish Enlightenment on St. Thomas
Super Adventure Club do The Dirty Dozen 
Super Adventure Club on their first ever recordings

REVIEWS
Cuddly Shark – The Road To Ugly
Cuddly Shark – Body Mass Index
The Scottish Enlightenment – St. Thomas
Super Adventure Club – Avoid Zombies 
Galoshins – EP1/EP2