News & Blog
24th Dec 2011Gig of the Year says The Independent
from The Independent, Dec 23, 2011
GIGS
By Andy Gill
The Burns Unit
Jazz Cafe, London
The Scots folk-rock supergroup – featuring such diverse talents as King Creosote, Karine Polwart, former Delgado Emma Pollock and MC Soom T – struggled to fit onto the Jazz Cafe's tiny stage, but their various strands of folk, indie-rock and hip-hop braided beautifully as they switched instruments.
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26th Sep 2011
Backslaps and Time Lapse
Any Burns Unit adventure is, for us, like watching time-lapse photography. Already a month has passed since our seven-gig adventure throughout Wales, England and Scotland.We began in a town few of us could pronounce (thank you o mighty Trelawynd), and continued full-throttle onto the stage at the Green Man festival (where we welcomed The Pictish Trail onstage for our closing song, "Round and Round").
We blinked and found ourselves renting paddle boats and riding miniature trains before our outdoor gig the next night in Birmingham. Cue the shorter drive to picturesque York, and a prepared-in-secret version of "Happy Birthday" (by Altered Images) for our birthday boy (and soundman) Reid.
A very excited return to the Queen's Hall in Edinburgh, then, where a crowd of over 700 seemed to know all the words, were up for a cover (Kenny and Karine's inspired "The Only Living Boy In New York"), and a brand-new song ("Closed For The Season").
Our youth club transportation vehicle promptly died after that gig - just in time for the marathon trek down to Biggleswade, and then to being the odd-band-out at the beautiful Towersey Folk Festival. Thrilling shows, both, and, in particular, those Towersey folk didn't seem too fazed by the electric guitar, synth or drums.
We were seven-strong this time round (thanks to all those shouting out for MC Soom T - she couldn't make it). While there are no more shows this year, we're inspired by new ideas that will need tending to.
A few of lost money on Kenny not taking home the Mercury Prize - but what a run for KC and Jon, and proof that great music always finds its way into earbuds one way or t'other.
We thank you for all of your kind messages, sing-a-longs, clap-a-longs, and post-gig hangs.
We do have a limited number of t-shirts available from our tour. Email us if you'd like one.
Happy autumn!
The Burns Unit
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13th Aug 2011
Lucky Number Seven
A rare and beautiful thing: getting together with seven friends you see twice a year to play music together. And while octet is certainly an unflattering and awkward-sounding word, eight-people strong we are in The Burns Unit. We rendezvous from many places - both rural and urban Scotland, Toronto (Canada) and Leipzig (Germany). A lot can change in the time between when The Burns Unit gets together. Engagements, babies, solo tours, Mercury Prize nominations...who knows where the time goes?We all need things to look forward to, and, for us, unchanging is the shared sense of adventure and giddiness that greet us every time we meet.
And, so, seven gigs it is this time around: seven gigs in the eighth month of the year for the eight of us that make up The Burns Unit (Emma Pollock, Future Pilot AKA, Karine Polwart, Kim Edgar, King Creosote, Mattie Foulds, MC Soom T and Michael Johnston).
With any luck, we will have the first-ever Burns Unit badges and shirts available exclusively at these shows.
Coming to one of the shows? Send us an email: info@theburnsunitband.com. If you have a request, a birthday dedication, a marriage proposal, a new song idea, or something equally fantastic to suggest, send it along and we can try to make it happen. We would love to hear from you.
All in the spirit of lucky number seven.
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There are 18 comments
John Barker wrote:
Went to the 3 day Rhythm festival (Biggleswade). Unfortunately, the weekend peaked to early on friday after seeing Hazel O'Conner, Burns Unit (brilliant), Dodgy and the Buzzcocks. Just got the CD, love it!
John Barker wrote:
Went to the 3 day Rhythm festival (Biggleswade). Unfortunately, the weekend peaked to early on friday after seeing Hazel O'Conner, Burns Unit (brilliant), Dodgy and the Buzzcocks. Just got the CD, love it!
Tony R wrote:
Great set at the Old Warden Rhythm Festival, for me the highlight of the week-end. Album is spot on too .... more please !
John Williams wrote:
Just wanted to thank the guys for playing this great festival....I'm so glad that I didn't choose that time of the day to go get a sausage.... as i just found my new favourite band.
thanks again
Ginge, Les and Jude [i was down at the front but it was not me who asked if you were finished yet] Wil
thanks again
Ginge, Les and Jude [i was down at the front but it was not me who asked if you were finished yet] Wil
Jerry U wrote:
Been to see you at towersey tonight. Quality, so good. Thanks.
Alan I wrote:
Loved the gig at the QH on Wednesday, fabulous sound and such a contrast to the poor acoustics at the Corn Exchange the next night for Jimmy Eat World!
Can someone tell me the name of the final song of the evening, which I though was stunning?
Can someone tell me the name of the final song of the evening, which I though was stunning?
George L wrote:
Great gig at the QH. Thanks, all.
Kenny, best of luck in the Mercury. I've worked a lot with your old man over the years.
As for the comment by Joyce about the band's name.... don't you know the origin of the band?
Kenny, best of luck in the Mercury. I've worked a lot with your old man over the years.
As for the comment by Joyce about the band's name.... don't you know the origin of the band?
Karen wrote:
I saw the Burns unit when i went to support Halloaway the supporting band in the Duchess in York on Monday.I was blown away by the chemistry the band has and the talent of each individual.A great al lrounder for all ages id definately travel to see them again
Keith Gifford wrote:
Enjoyed the gig last night but disappointed at Soom Ts no show. Whats the story? We have a RIGHT to know! and we know 'em.
, thanks to Mr Strummer and the rest.
, thanks to Mr Strummer and the rest.
Lynne wrote:
Fantastic gig at Queens Hall last night, thanks folks xx
JOYCE Bonny Scotland wrote:
STILL DONT AGREE with Name If M.JOHNSTONS FRIEND the 19yr KID Had Died..Tragic as it Was!! in a (Burns Unit).Due to his injury's From some meaningless War..Do you think he would have still chosen they names?
No Way -You should All Have Been Sent
"HOME To THINK AGAIN "
I Am A Flower of Ecosse.
No Way -You should All Have Been Sent
"HOME To THINK AGAIN "
I Am A Flower of Ecosse.
JOYCE "Bonny Scotland " wrote:
I AGREE ON ALL POSITIVE "MUSIC" COMMENTS THIS [PAGE.
But Sadly =NOT NAME YOUR BANDS VERY MISSLEADING NAME
HAVING ONLY HEARD U. ON RADIO!! AS=
(THE BURNS- UNIT) "SEND THEM KIDS TO WAR" ALARM BELLS RINGING SO LOUD,NEVER HEARD YOUR MUZIC.only pictured Poor BOY LYING IN BURNS UNIT.. DUE 2 CRAP WAR
But Sadly =NOT NAME YOUR BANDS VERY MISSLEADING NAME
HAVING ONLY HEARD U. ON RADIO!! AS=
(THE BURNS- UNIT) "SEND THEM KIDS TO WAR" ALARM BELLS RINGING SO LOUD,NEVER HEARD YOUR MUZIC.only pictured Poor BOY LYING IN BURNS UNIT.. DUE 2 CRAP WAR
Nicki Young wrote:
Hi all, thanks for the fantastic gig at Green Man - it was great to see you live, shame MC Soom T was missing, was looking forward to strutting my (ageing) funky stuff to 'Send them kids to war' - you were excellent and thanks again, also for the laugh KC, hope hangover not too bad LOL
Nicki Young wrote:
Hi all, thanks for the fantastic gig at Green Man - it was great to see you live, shame MC Soom T was missing, was looking forward to strutting my (ageing) funky stuff to 'Send them kids to war' - you were excellent and thanks again, also for the laugh KC, hope hangover not too bad LOL
Alistair wrote:
Thanks so much for Trelawnyd! Kelda is a real hero for getting such wonderful music to a little village hall in North Wales. It was the best gig I have been to in years! Getting Ashley on stage in the encore was a lovely thing to do.
Dave Roberts wrote:
Really enjoyed the show in Brum yesterday - music as it should be: fun, thoughtful and well-played! Thanks for a great gig!!!
Jim Mckendrick wrote:
lovely gig at brum.the 'proper record record shop in oxford is 'truck store',cowley road.joint venture between bennets[truck fest] and 'rampage records' witney'.come back soon
Ian McCulloch wrote:
Wonderful show at Trelawnyd. Shame MC Soom T was missing.
Can any of you guys provide guitar tabs to your songs, as I would love to belt them out strumming away in my very amateur style?
Remember, I am on missionary work in North Wales, coming from the West Coast of Scotland originally.
Can any of you guys provide guitar tabs to your songs, as I would love to belt them out strumming away in my very amateur style?
Remember, I am on missionary work in North Wales, coming from the West Coast of Scotland originally.
20th Jul 2011
King Creosote's Mercury Prize nomination
The Burns Unit's own King Creosote has, along with the fabulous Jon Hopkins, received a 2011 Mercury Prize nomination for the sublime recording "Diamond Mine". We're very proud of Kenny, and cross all 16 of our collective index and middle fingers for a win.comments
There are 4 comments
Alan I wrote:
And good luck from me. I must get hold of a copy but I do have hold of a ticket for KC's gig at the Liquid Rooms on 2 November :-)
Graeme Waugh wrote:
If there is any justice, K & J will win the Mercury. It's a fantastic album that grows and grows with each listen.
Looking forward to tomorrow's gig in Edinburgh. Will be my first live experience of TBU. Cannae wait.
Looking forward to tomorrow's gig in Edinburgh. Will be my first live experience of TBU. Cannae wait.
David Hobday wrote:
I don't see Manchester on your gig list (and Bury would be even better). Fingers crossed.
Cups of tea all round.
Cups of tea all round.
Ian McCulloch wrote:
Stars have aligned. I work away and I am home on 19/8.
I first heard The Burns Unit about a year ago, bought the album and was spellbound.
Trelawnyd is about 6 miles from my house.
Whoo Hoo!!!
I first heard The Burns Unit about a year ago, bought the album and was spellbound.
Trelawnyd is about 6 miles from my house.
Whoo Hoo!!!
25th May 2011
The 2nd song on Jools
Yes, that's Kenny on accordion and vocals and Karine on the shruti box (which caused none other than John Paul Jones to come up and ask about it...)http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Af7QdFJkId0
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Mart Glenn 38 Bham wrote:
You have the most fantastic sound I have heard in 20years - I remember being "taken" first time round with the best songs / albums of the 80s 90 00s and am sure you will have had a show stopping future and made some of the best tunes of the coming decade - stay creative and cutting edge x
