Happy Birthday Cry Parrot!

It's strange to think that Cry Parrot have only been in operation now for a mere four years; the wealth of left-field, experimental music they've nurtured in Glasgow, as well as bringing exotic talent from out of town and overseas, is staggering. What's also staggering is that they've kept to their fundamental principles as DIY, non-profit organisers. This has kept their door prices down to a very affordable level and there's no doubt it's been nothing but a benefit to Glasgow's musical community.

But don't mistake Cry Parrot as puritanical, brown-rice cultural activists – their tastes couldn't be further from the myopic tub-thumping of 'the good old days'. They have successfully tapped into the weird world of bedroom-based maestros and the international blog underground, bringing truly unique and invigorating sounds from around the world to our doorstep, from the off-kilter psychedelics of Ducktails and Sun Araw to the breathtaking exploratory tones and textures of Lawrence English and Grouper, by way of the woozy hi-energy electronics of John Maus and Lucky Dragons. These are acts that push the parameters of their craft and who, in Cry Parrot, have the perfect promoter to represent them when they come to town.

Choosing the road that Cry Parrot have is not the easiest one to take; Glasgow's a city saturated with gigs and gig promoters, too many of whom do not have the scene's best intentions at heart, but Cry Parrot have made it plain they're not here to take the money, fuck the bands over and run. Four years in and we need people like Cry Parrot in our city more than ever. Long may they reign. [John Keys]