Published in The Scotsman, 3 September 2013

ONE of the best gigs we have attended in months was an intense performance by solo artist Lauren Hold, aka LAW, at Edinburgh’s Sneaky Pete’s.

Boasting a distinctive vocal style set to beats composed with Young Fathers and producer Tim London (who scored a hit with Hippychick for the band Soho in 1990), her music is a fresh and exciting addition to Scotland’s music scene. The song Hustle (http://lawholt.com) gives a good taste of what is to come.

One of the biggest talking points in the Scottish music scene is the news that the legendary Fence Collective is to split. Founder Kenny Anderson (aka King Creosote) plans to relaunch in January, while his former partner Johnny “Pictish Trail” Lynch plans to release many of the acts formerly on the label via his new venture, Lost Map Records (http://lostmap.com). A free sampler featuring tracks by Eagleowl, Kid Canaveral, Monoganon, Rozi Plain, Seamus Fogarty, Randolph’s Leap and The Pictish Trail is available to anyone who signs up to the mailing list.

Hip-hop supremos Hector Bizerk are to mark the release of their new album with two launch parties, in Stereo, Glasgow on 21 September and at the Voodoo Rooms in Edinburgh the following night. Billed as “Hectember Weekender”, the band are offering a limited number of seats on their Hector Bus from Glasgow for Edinburgh. The band had the plugs pulled on their last gig in the capital (at the BBC’s Fringe tent), when security appeared to take exception to enthusiastic fans going in for some “taps aff” action. (www.hectorbizerk.com)

Hector Bizerk will also be appearing at Jocktoberfest, hosted by the Black Isle Brewery near Inverness this coming weekend. This year’s bill is shaping up to be the best yet – it includes Casual Sex, Be Like Pablo, Woodenbox, Dylan Tierney and the fantastic Cairn String Quartet. (www.jocktoberfest.com)

On the other side of the firth, Moray Culture Day takes place in the Findhorn Bay area on 21 September. The free event will feature more than 80 artists with music, theatre, exhibitions, seminars and film all represented. The organisers of the goNORTH festival have programmed a series of industry panel sessions, a screening programme and live music showcases in the evening. Artists performing include Fatherson, Be Like Pablo, The Oxides and Dave Martin & Graeme Rogers (DJ set) at Mosset Tavern from 9pm. Other pubs in the area will host Highland singer songwriters Jemma Tweedie, Dylan Tierney, Blair McLeod and Irenie Rose. (www.findhornbayarts.com/night.html)

Also taking place in the Highlands over the same weekend, is Ullapool’s Loopallu Festival (www.loopallu.co.uk). This year’s line-up features emerging Scottish acts Fake Major, Blood Relatives and former track of the month provider Prides, as well as headliners Newton Faulkner and The Enemy. Also appearing is Roddy Hart & The Lonesome Fire whose eponymous album was released on the Middle Of Nowhere Recordings (www.monr.co.uk), co-owned by Loopallu promoter, Robert Hicks.

Over in Stornoway, goNORTH organisers present a free Music In Broadcast seminar at the Jäger Rooms on Wednesday. Speakers include Duncan McCrone from MCPS, representatives from MG Alba and goNORTH Director Amanda Millen. (www.gonorthfestival.co.uk/news)

Quirky Edinburgh indie-pop outfit The Spook School are to release their debut album with Fortuna Pop! The group have also scheduled a UK tour with dates in Perth, Edinburgh, Glasgow and London in September and October. (www.thespookschool.com)