Lego and new LPs are among the pleasures of isolation for Lloyd Meredith (Olive Grove Records).

My first introduction to Lloyd Meredith was under the name of Peenko.  Peenko was my go-to music blog for discovering all that was new and exciting in the Scottish music scene and influential to Netsounds in our early days.

In 2010, Lloyd established respected Scottish DIY label, Olive Grove Records, (at the time with Halina Rifai from Podcart). Olive Grove have released records by Carla J. Easton, Woodenbox, Henry & Fleetwood, State Broadcasters, Randolph’s Leap, Jo Mango, Call To Mind,  Campfires in Winter and many more.

In 2019 Olive Grove Records launched the Archipelago EPs  – a series of releases from new, up and coming Scottish based artists, including Chrissy Barnacle,  Jared Celosse, Pocket Knife, Moonsoup, Circle Meets Dot and Henry and Fleetwood.

 

Are you keeping well and how are you spending lockdown? 

We are doing alright thanks, I am mainly spending my time doing real life, home schooling the kids, playing lots of Lego PS4 games with the kids and trying to listen to records.

Does music mean more to you now than ever and how are you responding to it creatively? 

To be honest, I am not getting to listen to as much music as I usually do at the moment. Although I am enjoying have an evening walk and listening to Phoebe Bridgers on repeat.

What music are you listening to right now? 

In the past few days I’ve received new albums from Carla J Easton and Randolph’s Leap, so they’ve been getting a lot of plays. I’m also really enjoying Never Work by Ariel Sharatt and Mathias Kom from the Burning Hell and Every Bad by Porridge Radio, which I picked up after reading about it on Balloon Machine. I’ve also just received some records from Last Night From Glasgow, so I am really looking forward to hearing the new Starless album on vinyl. Aside from that, I have mainly been obsessing over Phoebe Bridgers, Lacy Dacus and boygenius.

Have you discovered any music gems during isolation? 

Porridge Radio and Lindsay Munroe – both courtesy of Balloon Machine.

Get fit or embrace the bulge?

Pretending to get fit.

Have you been surprised at the contents of your kitchen cupboards? And have you made anything delicious from said contents?

We’ve made a fair few yummy curries, but not much out of the ordinary to be honest.

What habits have started to form or are starting to fade? 

Evening walks. As I am working from home I tend to be sat in front of a laptop all day, so I really enjoy going out for a stroll after dinner to clear my head and listen to some music. I’ve started wandering about places nearby that I had never felt the need to explore before, anything for a bit of variation.

What random things are you buying online? 

Mainly records and random Lego toys for the kids. I also got a new Pictish Trail t-shirt the other day, which I love.

What are you doing to keep motivated? (Because by fuck it’s hard)

The one that really motivates me is being trying to support others. You might have seen that Pete from Randolph’s Leap/State Broadcasters flat was destroyed in a fire last week, so being able to set up a crowdfunding page to help support him get through this horrible time was massive for me. The response to it has been pretty overwhelming, which I put down to the fact that so many people know what a lovely fella he is and they want to see him right.

What are you most looking forward to doing again this is all over? 

Probably seeing my mum and my friends again.

And finally, have you anything you would like to plug or declare?

I would like to declare my undying love for Jamie MacDonald. (sic!)

Discover more about Olive Grove Records:  Website | Facebook | Twitter

 

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