Song, by Toad announce tenth birthday gigs

Back in December 2008, fledgling music label Song, by Toad put out Pissing on Bonfires / Kissing with Tongues, the debut album of Edinburgh indie folk band Meursault. A decade later, the DIY label is still going strong, and to celebrate they've put together a series of gigs across Scotland and England throughout the rest of the year.

This isn’t just a nostalgia trip from Song, by Toad though; the anniversary parties are very much a celebration of the present and a glimpse into the label's future.

The Song, by Toad celebrations begin this month at Solas Festival (22-24 Jun), with a Song, by Toad birthday party (23 Jun) showcase featuring Elgin-born singer-songwriter Siobhan Wilson, experimental artist and Toad stalwart Adam Stafford and “gorgeous machine-pop bard” and architect of kitchen utensil pop, Jonnie Common.

"Jonnie, Adam and Siobhan represent the real core of the record label as it stands in 2018,” says Matthew Young, Song, by Toad Records founder. “We've seen a lot of bands come and go over the years, made tons of friends and worked with dozens of people, but in terms of friendships, working relationships, and a spread of music attributes from experimental to pop, abrasive, poignant and amusing, these three artists pretty much tell you everything you need to know about us as we stand after ten years of work."

The tenth anniversary celebrations continue in the autumn with a series of five gigs that include hometown shows at Leith Depot, Henry's Cellar Bar and Leith Cricket Club. Young explains why he’s been keen to mark the label’s tenth birthday milestone. “There have been so many great aspects to the label over the years, I just wanted to celebrate, honestly," he says. "Running a record label is always about the next thing you have to do, so I think everyone from the people we work with to the fans who support us could do with a chance to just have a wee pause and say, 'Fuck it, isn't this brilliant, isn't this a wonderful thing which we do between us?' So we have arranged gigs which express separate aspects of the label, from what motivated me to start it, to the various friendships we've created over the years.”

The full list of gigs and dates are below, with the line-ups for each gig soon to be announced:

23 Jun – Solas Festival, Tibbermore, Perthshire
15 Sep – Inshriach House, Aviemore (Highland Line)
28 Sep – Leith Depot (Origins Line)
15 Nov – Henry's Cellar Bar, Edinburgh (Grandemange Line)
23 Nov – St John on Bethnal Green, London (Chalmersmith & City Line)
15 Dec – Leith Cricket Club (Christmas Line)