"What's In My Bag" by Savannah, Izzy and Martha

For our third instalment of 'What's In My Bag' we join three members of the Subcity team, Savannah, Izzy and Martha, as they raid the shelves of two Glasgow record stores, Monorail and Missing Records, amassing a diverse and spectacular collection of CD's, DVD's and Vinyl!

Savannah

This Afternoon's Malady - JEJUNE

As soon as I made eye contact with the Numero Group pressing of Jejune’s ‘This Afternoons Malady’ I knew it’d be coming home with me. It felt like I’d only been flipping through records for a second before my fingers found their prize- the 1998 project of Bostonian emo rockers Joseph Guerrera, Christopher Mendez, and Arabella Harrison. My first encounter with Jejune was the 4th track on this album “Fixed On The One’. It’s hope and heartbreak wrapped into four minutes of bliss, and Arabella’s vocals give this album a rich, contemplative tone that feels painfully honest and open. The blend of her and Guerrera's perfectly balanced voices are part of why Jejune is my go-to recommendation for anyone looking to get into emo music. As Numero describes it, ‘This Afternoon’s Malady’ is ‘second wave emo gasping at alt rock’s final breath.’ Its positioning in the history of the genre makes it a masterful blend of all of emo’s best parts, and is truly perfect for any occasion.

Division Day + No Name #6 - Elliott Smith

I couldn’t help but pick up this (apparently neon yellow) 7” pressing of Division Day and No Name #6 by Elliot Smith. I’d been eyeing copies in various record shops for weeks and wasn’t strong enough to resist this time. This is actually the first time I have ever bought a 7”, but it felt like a very worthy pick. There is nothing better than Elliot Smith’s voice crackling through a vinyl record as you lay in bed at night.

Silence & Wisdom - Deux Filles

The tale of Deux Fille’s conception is one of tragedy and mystery. The young women Gemini Forque and Claudine Coule met on holiday in Lourdes, and after a series of unfortunate events turned together to music in their bereavement. After a successful career and two acclaimed albums, the duo vanished without a trace…. In reality, the group consisted of South London male duo Simon Fisher Turner and Colin Lloyd Tucker, who wanted a project that was free from constraints. What I adore so much about this piece is the utter commitment to their role as two helpless, grieving, young women. Every aspect of the works conception was in line with these fictional girls’ tastes- if Simon would play a song in a certain way but knew it wouldn’t be what Gemini would create, then he would alter it to match her style more authentically.

When I first discovered their work it was the cover of Silence & Wisdom that drew me to it. At the time I had no idea that it was two men in drag, and it still blows me away that it is, because through the music Gemini and Claudine become very real, embodied figures. It’s honestly harder for me to believe that they aren’t galavanting around the world anonymously, waiting for the day they’re ready to return to the spotlight. Silence & Wisdom is all encompassing, and deserves to be listened to on a quality sound system with your utmost attention. It’s got a totally timeless feel– I can’t wait to let the ethereal quality of reverb and tape-delay sweep me away.

Izzy

Four Tet : Everything Ecstatic - Monorail

I have been a fan of Four Tet for a long time and his projects are some of my favorites to collect on physical because of the beautiful album art. I was familiar with a couple of the tracks on this 2005 release, such as ‘smile around the face’ but had never heard it in full and had a lovely time listening through. It is full of dreamy droning basslines and spacious rhythms which feel like sunlight through trees or phosphenes behind your eyes. Took a really good nap with this playing in the background.

MJ Cole : Madrugada - Missing Records

Sincere by MJ Cole is one of my favourite garage albums of all time. I can never get tired of hearing the rising bassline and repeated vocal ‘be sincere’ on the title track. Whilst being known for his contributions to UKG, this 2020 release shows Cole flexing his classical composition skills, with expansive yet delicate piano and string layers. I particularly adore the domestic ambience kept in the recordings, it adds such an intimacy to this album. Good for a solitary public transport journey at nighttime, observing the movement of the city.

Talkin Loud sampler - Missing Records

I was very pleased to pick up this sample album for the record label ‘Talkin’ Loud’ from 1999 whilst digging through the extensive collection of CDs at Missing Records. This album has a large sonic range, featuring a mix of acid jazz, funk, garage and deep groovy jungle, with tracks from Femi Kuti, MJ Cole and Incognito amongst others. The track ‘Second Movement’ by Krust was a standout to me. A fusion of jungle breaks with jazz instrumentation, with a prominent double bass part similar to that of Roni Size’s ‘Brown Paper Bag’ (a project which Krust worked on).

No Rome : It’s All Smiles - Missing Records

I picked this one up partly for my teenage self who was a big fan of No Rome. I am always happy to return to the bright, glitchy production of his sound. I find the use of autotune reminiscent of Caroline Polachek, whilst the vocal layering and industrial edge reminds me of Bjork’s Post. Pop music with dreamy distortion and fuzzy basslines. The horn sections and pace of the track ‘A Place Where Nobody Knows’ have a flavour of The Blue Nile in it. There are many nods within this record to music I am familiar with and a fan of, whilst the songwriting

and overall sound is something completely his own.

Fugazi : Repeater - Monorail

A classic is a classic!! I discovered this album at 18 and have loved it since, full of jilting guitar parts and momentous drums. Turnover is one of the greatest album openers everrr.

A Friday morning spent well with Martha and Sav!!

Martha

Discover Effortless Living - Bull - Monorail

Anyone who knows me, even a little bit, knows I am very proud to be from Yorkshire. God’s own country has produced many wonderful things: tea, Sean Bean, rhubarb and the indisputable best part of a roast are only a handful. Where York (my wonderful birthplace) tends to fall short, however, is in the music department. Unlike Sheffield, which birthed the Arctic Monkeys, and Leeds, the home of the Kaiser Chiefs, York doesn’t have much to show music wise beyond Shed Seven (they’re not worth it, trust me).

Considering this, you can only imagine my delight when, whilst flicking through CD’s in Mono, I came across the city’s brightest and best band - Bull. Right before my very eyes was Discover Effortless Living, the band’s 2021 debut album. Now, considering I have seen Bull countless times, and am about two people away from multiple members, it should be no surprise that this band, and this album specifically, are very near and dear to my heart. It’s not a case of Stockholm Syndrome though, I think anyone who spent even a minute listening to Bull would end up with a smile on their face. The jangly guitars, tongue in cheek lyrics and occasional kazoo all come together to make a perfect indie record. In fact, I dare you to put the album on and not dance! Owning a physical copy was long overdue for me, and I couldn’t be happier that I now possess one. Whenever I am missing home, I will put on this CD, have a dance, and remember all of the wonderful things and people Yorkshire has to offer. I can only apologise to my flatmates, who are going to be subjected to me singing ‘Rooftop baby, don’t stop the party to the bangarang boogie honey sugar pie’ on repeat!

Cleo from 5 to 7 - Agnes Varda - Monorail

Whenever I’m in Mono, I always save a little bit of time to browse their incredibly underrated DVD collection. If you have skipped over it before, preferring to spend your time buried in the music, then take this as a sign to give it some love on your next visit. On this occasion, I found a DVD I’ve been trying to get a hold of for ages, Agnes Varda’s Cleo from 5 to 7. I’m kind of embarrassed to admit that I haven’t seen it yet, considering its cult classic status. I took finding it in Mono as a sign, a beacon calling out to me, saying: ‘watch me Martha, watch me’. I am eagerly anticipating my viewing, and excited to dive further into Varda’s wonderful universe.

My Baby Cares Just for Me - Nina Simone - Missing Records

I think everyone should own a Nina Simone CD, for listening to her sing is a form of medicine. Nothing soothes me like her wonderful voice, her beautiful lyrics, and her incredible musical ability. She is the greatest of the greats, your favourite artist's favourite artist, and just an incredibly talented person. If you take anything from this little blog of ours, it should be to run to your nearest record store and buy whatever Simone you can get your hands on. Bonus points if it has ‘Who Knows Where The Time Goes’ on it, for it is perhaps the most beautiful (and my favourite) song she has performed.

Copper Blue - Sugar - Missing Records

Whilst browsing through Missing Records’ seemingly eternal selection of CD’s, I came across Copper Blue by Sugar. This warranted phoning my Dad, just to double check he had a copy as Sugar are one of his favourite bands. Of course, he did, but reliably informed me that I should pick it up for myself. He saw Sugar perform this album in a very cramped Room Two in Edinburgh many moons ago, and still considers it one of the best gigs he has ever attended. Unsurprisingly, his advice was right, the album is fantastic, a real mix of the moody guitars and vocals that characterise 90s alt-rock. Thanks for the recommendation Dad!

Bookends - Simon and Garfunkel - Missing Records

‘One day, you’ll be cool, look under your bed, it’ll set you free’ whispers Anita to her younger brother William in Almost Famous, all while Simon and Garfunkel’s America plays in the background. Now, perhaps it was the presence of Zoey Deschanel, who I have had a crush on since the beginning of time, but watching this scene as an eighteen year old impressed upon me the importance of Simon and Garfunkel. Of course I had heard the duo’s songs before, I even did a performance to Bridge Over Troubled Water when I was in year two, but this was the moment I truly got it.

Simon and Garfunkel’s Bookends is one amongst a litany of beautiful records the pair have made. I was incredibly pleased therefore, to find it in Missing Records for only £2!! There is nothing I could say about this iconic album that has not been said before, in probably far more articulate ways, so I will keep it short. Pick a particularly rainy afternoon, get cuddled up, put this album on and just soak it up. Maybe then, like William and the rest of us, you’ll finally be cool.

Sisters with Transistors - Lisa Rovner - Ripe Mags

When I organised this trip, I might’ve had an agenda. A secret mission, if you will, to divert the girls into my favourite magazine shop, Ripe Mags. Located just a stone’s throw away from Mono, this beautiful spot also conveniently shares its space with Sister Midnight, a deli that does a banging tuna sandwich special (get to know!!). What I thought may just be a covert mission to ogle at the latest issue of Dazed turned into a blog worthy feature, since the lovely Linda who owns the shop also stocks it with fantastic DVDs!

I found the fantastic film Sisters With Transistors and could not resist picking it up. The wonderful Kesley (Infernal Machine) recently dedicated an episode of her show to highlighting the incredible women of electronic music, and ever since listening I’ve been eager to learn more! It’s so cool to uncover the stories of the women who played such significant parts in the development of one of the most influential genres. The DVD also tugs on my archives heart, its visual documentary format is a living testimony, one that ensures these magnificent women’s stories are not forgotten.

That's all from us. Check back next month for another edition of 'What's In My Bag' with the Subcity team!