Ironworks Live Music Venue will again support local talent by putting some of the best acts in the area in the spotlight this summer.

Over July and August, the Inverness venue will pay host its Summer Showcase Series, which makes a return from its debut last summer and follows on from the Winter Showcases last December and the more recent Easter Showcase in April.

Summer Showcase Series starts Thursday 12th July and continues every Thursday until Thursday 30th August.

Ironworks Booking assistant Steve Robertson said “It’s great that these showcases are continuing with the Summer Showcase Series, most of the acts taking part have come to us and said how much they enjoyed performing and the punters have been incredibly supportive of a local music scene that we are proud to be showcasing”.

Keep an eye on our site here and on our Facebook and Twitter pages for news of Summer Showcase podcasts featuring interviews and music from the acts on the line up.

Ironworks Summer Showcase programme:

July 12th   – The Parma Violets – Purple Divide - TBA

July 19th    – The Frues – City in Surveillance – Defcon One

July 26th    – The Whisky River Band – Last Summer Effect – Emma Mitchell

August 2nd – Swamp Radio – SCUM – Toecutter – TBA 

August 9th  –  Dorec-a-belle - Barry Mackay– The Galipaygos  – Ailsa Llyall-Matthews

August 16th – Little Mill of Happiness - KOBI - Naked Red

August 23rd – James Mackenzie – Thousand Stars – FiFi & Rodaidh

August 30th – ROADWAY – Jake Bolt - Toby Michaels Rolling Damned

Surely Toby Michaels on stage will be enough to bring lout the sun!

For more information and tickets visit www.ironworksvenue.com

Olive Grove Records, one of Scotland’s most innovative independent labels are back with another release! Even better is the fact that they return with a new release from The Son(s).

Last year’s critically acclaimed self-titled album is still on rotation on my iPod and other such devices that fit in my ear so it’s a delight to hear these new tunes. Their new 6 track EP is called Leviathan, which is currently available as limited edition cassette and set to be released digitally on 21st May.

Make your own mind up; we have a track featured on our podcast and I am sure we will be playing more from the EP in the near future as we have been threatened by a visit from Lloyd Meredith who is the bearded one from Olive Grove Records.

Buy the limited edition cassette tape here now and get a free MP3 download and a screen print too!

Also check out the very cool wee video below.

Netsounds Unsigned is delighted to be joining forces with Inverness Gigs and RockNess to select 6 of the most promising acts from the Highlands to perform at RockNess 2012!

One of our key aims is about exposing new emerging artists so we are thrilled to be working with RockNess and delighted that this opportunity will bring the best new music from the Highlands to a capacity RockNess audience from 8th to 10th June.

We will be featuring tracks and words form these new additions to the NME award winning festival on next week’s podcast but for now, here is an introduction to these hot new acts:

Team Kapowski

They are a 3 piece band from Inverness raised on a diet of video games and Saturday morning television.  Team Kapowski’s quirky brand of electro rap hip hop will have you spilling your drink in no time and bouncing left to right and vertically.  Their tongue-in-cheek rap, electro hooks and nuclear drums make them the perfect festival band.

Whisky River Band

One of the most exciting live bands on the scene in Inverness today.  They consistently deliver a lively & dynamic live set and have developed a strong and enthusiastic following throughout the North of Scotland.  They will bring a raucous and uplifting atmosphere worthy of a festival crowd.  The 5 piece are scheduled to release their debut album ‘Taming of Me’ at the end of June this year which will coincide with an appearance at the famous Cavern Club in Liverpool.

Iain McLaughlin & The Outsiders

Hailing from Inverness, Iain McLaughlin & The Outsiders recently launched their debut album to a sell out crowd at Ironworks in Inverness.  Their dynamic rock n roll sound with a grunge edge makes their performances flow with an intense energy.  They will add a perfect element to Rockness;  a big and beautiful sound that creates enormous space and vast landscapes.

Red Kites

Red Kites first met and formed in September 2010 at The Academy of Contemporary Music in Guildford.  They have an intense folk/rock influenced sound channelled through lead singer Moteh Parrott who hails form the Highlands of Scotland.  They have been named one of the bands to watch in 2012 by Rock Industry Magazine and have already completed two successful Scottish tours.  Their evocative and emotive debut EP Beat in Time was released in April this year.

Homework

Homework are an Edinburgh based indie synth rock band with their roots in the Highlands of Scotland.  They have performed across a range of key Scottish festivals including Wickerman, Belladrum, goNORTH, The Edge Festival and Insider.  Their mini album  ‘All That Glitters’ was released in 2011 to a strong response from BBC Radio 1, BBC 6 Music and BBC Radio Scotland.  They are guaranteed to deliver an infectious, fresh and exciting sound to Rockness

Be Like Pablo

Be Like Pablo is a band from Forres in the north-east of Scotland.  Their catchy guitar-based powerpop music and bright girl/boy vocal harmonies make them the perfect sound for a sunny field this year.  Their debut album, ‘The New Adventures’ will be released exclusively on their website for free on 3rd August 2012.

These new additions join previously announced electronic acts from the Highlands  FILTH,  POLYMATH and COUNT CLOCKWORK.

They will all share the line up with Brit Award winners and Grammy nominees Mumford & Sons, platinum selling Biffy Clyro and the critically acclaimed live sensation and Grammy nominee Deadmau5 along with the likes of Ed Sheeran, Justice, Noah and the Whale, The Drums, Friendly Fires and more.

We think this is a real and welcome opportunity for our Highland homegrown heroes to shine alongside these established acts and win over a new army of fans.  Good luck guys!

Official RockNess website: WWW.ROCKNESS.CO.UK

TICKETS:

@RockNessFest

goNORTH are hosting an informal networking evening for anyone looking to attend the music element of this year’s goNORTH conference and showcase.

Taking place at Ironworks on Wednesday 23rd May from 7.30-9.30pm, the session will give attendees the opportunity to find out more about this year’s programme.  It will be of particular benefit to those involved in any aspect of the local music scene in Inverness.

goNORTH will also be using this networking event as a platform to open a wider conversation around how you feel goEVENTS can better support the needs of locally based artists and music businesses.  We have some exciting plans in development, but we need your input to shape how we take the project forward.

The session is completely free, but please confirm your attendance by emailing alex@creativehi.com with Networking Session in the subject line.