New Scottish DIY label Olive Grove Records announces first release

There seems to be a trend starting north of the border when it comes to DIY record labels. The most notable small indie label to come out of Scotland in the past couple of years is Song, By Toad Records, a blog which used its sizeable readership to make the step across into becoming a successful indie label. Now two of Scotland’s most notable figures in grassroots music have knocked their heads together and formed Olive Grove Records.

Founded by Halina Rifai from the prolific cult podcast Glasgow Podcart (endorsed by Shhh! Festival headliner Stuart Braithwaite) and Lloyd Meredith from the locally adored Peenko Blog, the label intends on harvesting the best new talent in Scotland. Although bloggers forming labels is by no means endemic to Scotland, they are fast becoming the main platform for bands that may have been ignored thus far.

One such band is the quirky Randolph’s Leap who will mark the label’s first release with their debut EP. The five-piece are, in equal measures, quirky and sincere. Frontman Adam Ross is an Ivor Cutler for the 21st century due to his self-deprecating, humorous and absurdist lyrics placed on a twee-pop backdrop. In two of the hardest working amateur sites in Scotland, this outsider of a band has found a home.

Battleship and Kettlechips EP is out November 15. Stream in full below.