JANUARY
By Greg Kane
Adem
Saturday 17th January 7:30pm
The Hug & Pint
Adem Ilhan is a 40 something English composer, producer, multi-instrumentalist and singer-songwriter. He produces pastoral pop that follows eclectic arrangements often with irreverent and wistful lyrics. He also works on movie soundtracks, having enjoyed success on Danny Boyle’s “Yesterday” in 2019 and the beautiful 2025 film “The Ballad of Wallis Island”. I hear the quintessential English eccentric in his music, but it’s very accessible, I guess that’s why he’s had success with movie soundtracks. I like his decision making, considerateness and poise.
Choice track: ‘Ringing in My Ear’
Kathryn Joseph
Sunday 18th January 7:30pm
Òran Mór
I like Kathryn Joseph. But she often introduces herself as “… a nostalgic weird old disgusting lady”. I would probably be a little more gracious if I was asked, but her self-characterization tells you a lot about her and how she sees herself. She won the Scottish Album Of the Year Award with her debut album back in 2015 and has just released her 4th album “WE WERE MADE PREY” in 2025 to rave reviews and numerous award nominations.
For me, I have to be in the right frame of mind to listen to her… but if I clear the space and 100% commit, it can be an extremely rewarding experience, but be under no illusion, this ain’t easy listening.
Choice track: ‘HARBOUR.’
Carla J Easton
Sunday 25th January 7:30pm
Cottiers Theatre
Carla Jennifer Easton is a Scottish singer-songwriter, filmmaker and art school graduate. Easton has been a member of the bands Futuristic Retro Champions and TeenCanteen and is currently keyboard player for The Vaselines. She has also guested on Belle & Sebastian records, but she performs here tonite as a solo artist.
In 2024 Easton and documentary filmmaker Blair Young released the highly acclaimed film “Since Yesterday” at the Edinburgh Film Festival. The film documents the rise of all female Scottish bands from 1960 – 2010. I liked it, a historically important piece of work.
But back to her music… there’s lots of synths on her records and I hear strong 60’s pop ambitions in how she writes. She’s from Carluke, a South Lanarkshire town famous for its fruit growing and jam production. Who knew? Carla definitely has a S. Lanarkshire tilt, it’s a big part of her uniqueness. A night of feisty pop.
Choice track: ‘The Best’
