Stephen Innes to Perform at Masquerade Party Night

Rising singing sensation Stephen Innes is to perform at the Masquerade Party Night on Friday 9 November, 7pm-12pm at the Hilton Hotel, Dundee. There will also be live music, disco provided by Wave 102 and great auction and raffle prizes.

Stephen, 17 from Inverurie, has supported girl band The Saturdays and Sandi Thom. He has also played at Fyvie Live where he proved to be a huge hit.

The Masquerade Party Night is a joint fundraising event for Dundee charity, Help for Kids and Scotland’s autism charity, Scottish Autism, to raise much-needed funds to help local families.

The ticket price (£25) includes a welcome drink, hot buffet, half bottle of wine per person and the chance to win a mystery prize. Book 10 tickets for a discount: £225. Utopia Costumes in Dundee are offering a 10% discount for all party goers (please quote “Masquerade Party Night”). Tickets are on sale at the Overgate Customer Service Desk or from 01259 720044.


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Tune In...the Headphones!

Here we have Raff, front man with the OK Social Club, one of the bands appearing at next month's Tune In to Autism gig at the Voodoo Rooms in Edinburgh. As you can see, he's sporting the rather natty Tune In to Autism headphones. You can read the interview he gave to Tune In to Autism, ahead of next month's gig here

You can follow the fortunes of the OK Social club over on Facebook by following this link

Tune In to Autism....the interviews...

Tune In to Autism is raising money to provide music therapy through Scottish Autism for those affected by Autistic Spectrum disorders. At the recent Wicker man music festival,  we took the chance to interview and photograph a few of the artists who were wearing the rather fetching Tune In to Autism headphones. 

Hannah Currie from music promoters MILK caught up with Alban Dickson, bass player with upcoming band the Miniature Dinosaurs for a quick chat about music and his experiences of working with young people with Autism ...

·         How does music improve your life?
Music is utterly inescapable in the world today; it is used to sell products, bring happiness, provide empathy. I find it difficult to consider what life would be like without any music! However, on a personal level, I've always found music to be there when you just need to express yourself and that is something so unique and important in life itself.

·         What is your favourite track ever?
There are some songs, which I remember hearing from my parents' vinyl collection as I grew up, that always put a smile on my face; Moving on Up (Primal Scream), Loser (Beck) and even Dance to the Music (Sly & The Family Stone) before Shrek made it cool. I couldn't possibly pick out a favourite though, but the memories attached to songs like those are very profound for me, and it's the memories that you can relate to songs which is what really makes them yours.

·         What's your favourite music memory?
The memory of a first gig is always going to be up there! I would say I have two however. The first-first concert which my dad took me to, a free jazz ensemble which I appreciated enough to fall asleep at. Then the first time my friends and I went to see a band together, as we developed our own musical identities, which was Franz Ferdinand and Fire Engines. Nobody in that crowd had a clue who Fire Engines were - ourselves included!

·         Do you have any upcoming gigs, events, happenings etc?
We just reased our single "Lemonade" and are about to tour the new EP "Turn It On" accross the UK. We are looking forward to travelling everywhere from Ullapool to Devon! Hopefully, by traversing the country back and forth for a couple of weeks, some people might hear our music for the first time.

·         Do you have any links with autism 
 It's not really musically related but I coach a disability football team and we have some players who are on the spectrum. 

(photo - Alban Dickson, bassist, and Barry MacLean, singer with the  Miniature Dinosaurs)

TuneIn to Autism...update....update...update...

Here is the latest news on our Edinburgh fundraiser in aid of Scottish Autism..

Tune into Autism hits the Voodoo Rooms on Thursday 11th October, showcasing three of the best bands in Scottish music to raise fund for music therapy.

The OK Social Club
Fronted by live wire Raff Eragona, The OK Social Club are a fast-paced and fun-fuelled outfit from Edinburgh. Razor-sharp guitar licks and punching vocals are layered over rolling snare to create that old school indie sound that made bands like The Strokes, The Libertines and The Cribs so good. Their energetic live show promises to raise the roof. Raff said: “We are delighted to be part of Tune into Autism as both myself and Chris Finn, our guitarist and vocalist, have family members who are affected by autism so the cause is close to our hearts.”
(www.facebook.com/theoksocialclubofficial)

The Holy Ghosts
This Edinburgh five-piece includes members from The Stagger Rats, The Complete Stone Roses and Down the Tuny Steps, drawing influence from all the greats to create an irresistible rock n roll sound with a dash of country and blues thrown in. Currently in the studio recording with renowned producer Owen Morris (Oasis, The View, The Verve, Ash), the band are taking a break to appear at Tune into Autism. Guitarist John Mackenzie said: “We are really proud to be involved. It’s an amazing feeling to know that we are helping people with autism to get the best support they can in life. The fans of all the bands involved will also be made more aware of Scottish Autism, which will hopefully inspire them to get involved with the charity.”

Randolph's Leap
This hotly-tipped folk-pop outfit are traveling from Glasgow to share their brand of highly amusing musical magic and support the cause. Singer Adam Ross said: "I was pleased to be asked to be involved in the event. I think it is important for music therapy to be promoted and funded. It is good to know that people with autism can benefit from the interaction and creativity associated with making music and I hope that ‘Tune Into Autism’ project will continue to help provide care and assistance to those who need it."
(www.facebook.com/RandolphsLeap)


Join us at the Voodoo Rooms for a night of fantastic music in aid of a great cause – only £5 entry, with all proceeds going directly to Scottish Autism to fund music therapy.

Fancy a Sunday Stroll for Scottish Autism....?

If watching the Olympics and ParaOlympics has inspired you to get active, there is a gentle sponsored three mile walk for all abilities being held on Sunday 30 September at 2pm. It starts at Ravenscraig Park and is to raise funds for Scotland’s autism charity: Scottish Autism (Fife).

Led by Burntisland and Kinghorn Rotary Club, the walk starts in the car park at Ravenscraig and goes down to the harbour in Dysart. From there we will walk along the coast and then up through the woods back to the Ravenscraig Park. It should take no more than an hour and half going at an easy and enjoyable pace. Wheelchairs are welcome too.

Scottish Autism supports many adults and young people in the Kirkcaldy area and recently opened a new centre for adults in Cowdenbeath. Please get in touch on 01259 720044 for a sponsor form and help us to raise money to reach everyone living with autism in Scotland.

For any further information, please contact fundraising@scottishautism.org.


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“TUNE INTO AUTISM” GIG AT THE VOODOO ROOMS HELPS TO RAISE FUNDS FOR MUSIC THERAPY

Here is the press release announcing the latest gig from 'Tune In to Autism'.

Some of the best bands from the Scottish independent music scene are joining forces to support Scotland's autism charity, “Scottish Autism”, by holding a gig at the Voodoo Rooms in Edinburgh on Thursday 11^th October to raise funds for the charity’s music therapy programmes in Scotland.

The “Tune into Autism” event has been organised by three friends in the music, marketing and film industries in Edinburgh who have joined forces to put their love of music to good use. Hannah Currie who works in the film industry by day, also runs successful live music and club nights in Glasgow called MILK and LAID, Angus McGuire is a lawyer who is active in the Scottish music scene and Leanne Mabberley is Assistant Marketing Director at Edinburgh Napier University. These three volunteers have pooled their resources, energy and contacts to raise funds that will help more people on the autistic spectrum gain access to music-based therapies.  

 The line-up includes the indie quartet, “The OK Social Club”, whose music has appeared on Sky Sports Soccer AM and MTV Rocks and the Glasgow based, folk-pop band “Randolph's Leap” who recently appeared at Fence Record’s hugely successful Away Day as well as “The Holy Ghosts” who perform a mixture of rock n’ roll, country and blues.

Music brings enormous pleasure to us all and has particular benefits for people on the autistic spectrum. Someone who sees these benefits first hand is Mona El-Sayed, one of Scottish Autism's music practitioners who specialises in this area. She says: “Music activity really helps to grow self-esteem and offers the individual an alternative means of self-expression and communication. It's also fun and helps to reduce stress and anxiety.”

Raff Eragona, the singer and guitarist for OK Social Club said that: “We are delighted to be part of “Tune into Autism” as both myself and Chris Finn, our guitarist and vocalist, have family members who are affected by autism so the cause is close to our hearts. We tend to do charity gigs often as it’s very important to us that we support good causes, whether those causes affect us directly or not but even more so when they do.”

Adam Ross the singer from Randolph's Leap said: "I was pleased to be asked to be involved in the event. I think it is important for music therapy to be promoted and funded. It is good to know that people with autism can benefit from the interaction and creativity associated with making music and I hope that ‘Tune Into Autism’ project will continue to help provide care and assistance to those who need it."

The Holy Ghosts’ guitarist Jon Mackenzie says, “We are really proud to be involved. It’s an amazing feeling to know that we are helping people with autism to get the best support they can in life. The fans of all the bands involved will also be made more aware of Scottish Autism, which will hopefully inspire them to get involved with the charity.”

Angus says the team are hoping to raise enough money to buy an exciting new electronic musical instrument for Scottish Autism's Music Rooms called “The Skoog.” This instrument was developed in Edinburgh and can be used by people of all abilities to create a variety of musical sounds and acts as a touch sensitive, multi-instrument with software capabilities for recording.  It is a fun and engaging resource that would be of immense benefit to the budding musicians at the Music Rooms in helping them to express their creativity.

 The event will hopefully encourage other musicians and performers to participate in the “Tune into Autism” initiative and offer their time and talent to raise funds at music events.

Carolyne Nurse, Fundraising Manager at Scottish Autism says “By taking part in the “Tune into Autism” event, you will not only enjoy a great evening of music but will be making a positive contribution to the lives of an estimated 50,000 families living with autism in Scotland.”

The gig is open to all and kicks off at 7.30pm on Thursday 11^th October at the Voodoo Rooms in Edinburgh. Tickets cost £5 and are available at the door, online at  www.ticketweb.co.uk or by phone on 0844 477 1000.