Hello there.

As you can see below, there is a widget that displays my Arran Arctic Ustream channel. This enables me to broadcast anything my heart desires, live on the web.

I could use it for pornographic purposes, but instead I thought I’d put it to better use, and stream a live “gig” of sorts, from the comfort of my own home.

I’m hoping this will give a few non-Edinburgh residents the chance to see what I’m all about live – to a certain degree, obviously I’m not plugged in!

Tune in on Thursday, January 26th @ 8pm!!!

Use the above widget to watch and listen.

I’ll also be keeping an eye on my Twitter and Facebook streams, so feel free to send me any comments or questions

Cheers
Arran

 PS – This live webstream will be the topic of the next Arran Arctic Podcast, where I’ll also be interviewing the Edinburgh based musician and web streamer, Pol Arida.

I recently picked up a motherload of new vinyl (very naughty of me as, after Christmas, I’m only just about holding it together financially).

I’ve definitely been bitten by the vinyl bug, ever since I picked up Joni Mitchell’s ‘Blue’ before I even owned a record player! There is definitely something addictive about it, which inspired my latest mini, surreal comic creation…

The weather in Edinburgh doesn’t seem to improving, in fact, it seems to be getting worse!

I’ve been an avid knitter for over a year know. During this time I’ve amassed a precious collection of hand knitted scarves, all made by my own fair hand!

Each scarf is knitted on a one-by-one basis, using quality wool of various colours, shades and textures.

No two scarves are the same, however if you do purchase one, please feel free to specify any colour preference when completing your payment, or email me at:
arranarctic@hotmail.co.uk

Hand Knitted Scarf – £15.00

One of my new year resolutions was to put together an Arran Arctic Podcast. It’ll be an occasional, episodic type of affair, mostly consisting of news from me but also featuring some awesome local Edinburgh bands.

Rather than ramble on you should simply listen below…

 This podcast featured music from…
The Spook School – www.thespookschool.com
 A Fight You Can’t Win - www.afightyoucantwin.bandcamp.com
 Note: Express consent was received from each band before they were included

This podcast also mentioned…
Scots Whay Hae!
Jock Rock
Edinburgh Man Podcast
Ayetunes

To download this podcast and listen at your leisure, right-click the file below…
Arran Arctic Podcast #1

Addendum 13/01/12

The Arran Arctic Podcast is now available to download and subscribe to in iTunes!

http://itunes.apple.com/gb/podcast//id495001027

In celebration of my return to the workplace tomorrow, I’ve doodled another short comic strip.

It’s been over 2 weeks since I’ve been in the office, so it will be a tough transition to get back into the swing of things.

I’m planning to be a lot more enterprising with regards to my music related business in 2012, so hopefully it will keep me sane and I won’t end up like this poor bastard…

Multiple posts only days apart? How very unlike me.

However, finding out you’re album has been named by Jock Rock as one of the top 25 albums of the year warrants shouting about, does it not?

‘In My Hands’ has been placed no.6 out of 25!

Why not have a listen to the record, see what the fuss is about, and maybe even download or buy it

 Not to sound like a complete dick, but this really is a great honour as it’s been an amazing year for Scottish music as you can tell by the host of fantastic artists that make up the rest of the 25 albums.

Jock Rock’s author, Steve McHugh (who also happens to edit Is This Music?from which ‘In My Hands’ got a 4 out of 5 star rating!), has always got his finger right on the pulse of the best Scottish music and the blog is a fantastic place to hear new stuff.

A massive thank you to Steve and Jock Rock, and again, a brazen laugh in the face of how in the hell I’ll top this in 2012!

I was very pleasantly surprised yesterday evening to hear that one of my favourite blogs, Scots Whay Hae, had named my track ‘Interrupt Me’ from In My Hands as one of their top 5 tracks of 2011!

 Here’s what Scots Whay Hae author, Alistair Braidwood said:
“One of my favourite new discoveries this year was Arran Arctic who released his latest album In My Hands in Spring. I was delighted to find that there was a significant back catalogue to explore. This track is the beautiful Interrupt Me, and if you listen to it on You Tube there is a huge clue as to why this appeals. On the right of the page are over ten recommendations for Mark Kozelek songs. Kozelek is one of my favourite singer/songwriters of all time, but Arran Arctic is my latest flame and deserves such comparisons. This is ruddy gorgeous“

 I’m really chuffed that this particular blog has taken such a shine to my work because Scots Whay Hae is one of my favourite blogs, full of intelligent, thoughtful and insightful articles.

 They also put together a regular podcast featuring top notch Scottish guests, such as Alan Bissett (whose novel ‘Boyracers’ I’ve just finished and ‘Pack Men’ I’ve just started).

So a huge thank you to Alistair and Scots Whay Hae, I hope I can live up to this humbling honour in 2012!

For a while now I’ve been doodling a few short, strange comic strips. I might publish a collection at some point in the future.

For now though, enjoy my latest creation. Probably relevant, what with all the Christmas related tasks coming up…

Ho ho ho! Merry Christmas!

As a little festive Arran Arctic treat for you, I’ve recorded a cover version of the Fleet Foxes track ‘White Winter Hymnal’.

I’m quite pleased with it. I feel like it’s my own take on the Fleet Foxes original with elements of the Birdy cover. Hear it for yourself…

To download my cover of ‘White Winter Hymnal’ for free, sign up to the Arran Arctic mailing list.

By signing up, you get access to the Fans Only area of the Arran Arctic website, which is full of exclusive downloads and rarities.

Merry Christmas, and happy listening!

Arran
xoxo

 Addendum 21/01/12

The track preview has now been removed from my soundcloud profile, so you won’t be able to hear it here anymore.

You can, however, download it for free by signing up to the mailing list and using the password you’ll receive to access the Fans Only area.

Movember 30th is here – part 3!!!

Believe it or not, it’s been hard to overcome my aversion to shaving in order to keep my face bristle free, thus allowing my moustache to flourish. But, 30 days later the results speak for themselves…

Movember Day 30

I’ve had so much help and support along the way, I can’t say thank you enough for helping me raise a fantastic £200 for men’s health!

Thanks to all the people, blogs and podcasts who spread the word about my efforts, and a huge thanks to everyone who sponsored me. It’s because of you that I’ve been able to raise this amount of money for a charitable cause that means a lot to me.

If you donated, you’ll all have received your “mo” song by email. I hope it serves as a suitable reward!

As far as I’m aware, you can still donate should you wish to at mobro.co/arranarctic. I’ll be keeping an eye out for any late donations in order to keep track of any latecomers who are due to receive the “mo” song.

If, however, you do donate and I’m not in touch within a few days, just get in touch via the email address listed on the About page.

Thanks again everyone. It’s been wild!
Arran xoxo

To find out more about Movember and where donations are directed, see uk.movember.com/about/ or you can see my previous Movember posts: Part 1 and Part 2.