04-2004 / The Sunday Herald, Glasgow / My Triptych tips: Stephen Pastel of The Pastels

Glasgow’s The Pastels have been keepers of the independent flame for years, nurturing and inspiring new talent in equal measure. As part of a night to celebrate their Geographic label, the band are DJing at the Honeycomb, Edinburgh, on Friday April 30 and The Tron, Glasgow, on Saturday May 1. Here’s what Stephen Pastel recommends you check out at Triptych …

For me, Fennesz is always fascinating. He’s a technically excellent musician and sound processor, but it always quickly moves beyond this into something emotional and profound. All his albums seem to have beautiful sleeves and simple titles, like Venice, or Field Recordings, or Endless Summer, and I love his strumming guitar sound, which is a bit like Kevin Shields; and his sense of melody and longing, which is like Brian Wilson.

Tramway, Glasgow, Saturday May 1; The Venue, Edinburgh, Sunday May 2.

Doctor Alimantado is an absolute coup for Triptych. Maybe it’s sad that sometimes his music seems overwhelmed by his funky images and titles , but some of his cuts are very funny and surreal, like I Kill The Barber (so that he can’t cut off his dreads). Mostly he should be thought of as an innovative producer with a deep sound and a few fancy tricks, whose message is always warm and humane. I met him the night that the Scottish Football Association were looking at loosening up the rules on playing for Scotland, and told him that I thought he looked a bit of a player; I think he liked that.

Renfrew Ferry, Glasgow, Friday April 30; The Venue, Edinburgh, Saturday, May 1; Lemon Tree, Aberdeen, Sunday May 2.

I can’t not mention Directorsound; it’s just too fabulous. In his own wayward way, Nick Palmer is as innovative as Aphex Twin, only his music is resolutely analogue, and assembled with rickety instruments, a tape recorder and sellotape. From this he somehow conjures up something as grandiose as a Fellini party scene, which would be a fitting place to hear this music.

Although they’re not actually “playing”, everyone should pay attention to the incredible raw images and paintings that Triptych are using in their artwork this year. Project Ability is an inspiring arts project, focused on helping children and adults with special needs realise their talents. It’s impossible not to see one of their exhibitions without experiencing something magical or strange or beautiful.