It’s been a total privilege to write about these acts in my Scottish Sun column or play them on the radio in the past 12 months. I reckon it’s been another vintage year for New Music in Scotland, and I think these acts are in for an even better 2013!

Check out my 10 for 2013 podcast at www.radiomagnetic.com

Anderson McGinty Webster Ward & Fisher

The Dundee folk rock supergroup have been turning heads all year, including some memorable festival appearances. Fresh from supporting their long-time buddies The View at the Caird Hall, their version of Dougie MacLean’s Caledonia features on the first ever TV ad for Caledonia Best ale.

Chvrches
Their first ever gig was like a major label A&R convention, unofficially making them the hottest new Scottish band of 2013. The Glasgow electro-pop trio easily live up to the hype. No surprise to see them included in the long-list for the BBC’s prestigious Sound Of 2013 and invited to play SXSW.

Fatherson

Back in March the Ayrshire band picked up the Best Rock/Alternative gong at the Scottish Alternative Music Awards. They’ve gone from strength to strength including their biggest headline gig to date at the Garage in Glasgow and recent support slots with Feeder and Admiral Fallow.

Fluorescent Hearts

A brilliant blend of rock and pop, I knew nothing about the Cumbernauld band when I first stumbled upon them opening an unsigned bill at King Tut’s in Glasgow. The foundations are there to make a major breakthrough, and their album Anthem oozes class.

Flutes

The self-titled debut album from the Anglo-Scots has been a favourite with some key blogs and music sites. As word spreads about these guys it won’t be long until everyone’s hailing them “the new Frightened Rabbit”.

Fridge Magnets

They may have missed out to Aberdeen band Duke for the In:Demand Unsigned Act Of The Year at the Young Scot Awards, but they did bag themselves a deal with Distiller Records, home to Sound Of Guns and Funeral For A Friend. They picked up the Best Electronic prize at the Scottish Alternative Music Awards.

Holy Esque

Their guest performance at the inaugural Scottish Album Of The Year (SAY Award) hinted that they might be future contenders for the prize themselves. The dark indie rockers are set to fly the flag for Scotland at next year’s prestigious SXSW showcases in Austin Texas. They’ll join fellow-Scots invitees like Chvrches, Bwani Junction, Kassidy, Paws, Tango In The Attic, Washington Irving and Young Fathers.

Madison

I just can’t get enough of these guys at the moment. Balancing pop-rock and indie cool, the Cumbernauld boys blew me away at Stirling’s Reloaded festival at the Tolbooth.

Megan D

The Edinburgh teenager could well have been top of this list if it wasn’t in alphabetical order. There’s a certain innocence to her songwriting. She’s refreshingly grounded and extremely genuine. I’m not sure she knows just how talented she is… not that I’d want to make her big headed! A star in the making quite frankly.

The Velveteen Saints

Recently playing shows with Tim Burgess, Peter Hook & The View, they are coming of age as a live band. The Clash are an easy reference point, but The Velveteen Saints have a lot more to offer.

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If you were wondering what Jim picked in previous years…

Jim’s 10 for 2012: Bwani Junction / Carly Connor / Discopolis / The Imagineers / Jack Townes / John Wean / The LaFontaines / Little Eye / Nina Nesbitt / Vukovi

Jim’s 10 for 2011: Any Color Black / Capitals / Dot JR / Julia And The Doogans / Midnight Lion / Mopp / Saint Kilda / Rachel Sermanni / Shambles Miller / Weather Barn

Jim’s 10 for 2010: Ambulances / The Boy Who Trapped The Sun / Erland & The Carnival / French Wives / Alex Gardner / GoGoBot / Grum / Kassidy / Kid Adrift / Kitty The Lion

Jim’s 10 for 2009: Alto Elite / Healthy Minds Collapse / Mr Kil / Paper Planes / Pearl And The Puppets / The Phantom Band / Punch & The Apostles / Sugar Crisis / The Velcro Quartet / We See Lights

Jim’s 10 for 2008: The Fire And I / Broken Records / Urbnri / Fangs / Glasvegas / Big Face / Kizzy Star / The Vivians / Twin Atlantic / Attic Lights

Jim’s 10 for 2007: Drive-By Argument / Flood Of Red / ElectricBoyShock / Ghosts / The Law / The Envy Corps / Sixpeopleaway / Low Vs Diamond / Sergeant / Crash My Model Car