October: From Scotland to Sydney & Some Perth Play Too

Let’s chat about October, which was a pretty incredible month. The first half of the month was spent in Scotland doing the usual… record shop browsing, Canva sessions, coffee mornings etc.

I said goodbye to my radio mentor Tony Currie, virtually, and was pleased to see that the picture I took of him when I visited Lismore was the large framed photo at the front of the church. So I felt like I was truly there in spirit. RIP Tony.

I also bought the Declaration album by The Alarm, which I mentioned in last month’s newsletter. But, that didn’t last long! I’ve already traded it in for three cassettes by The Fixx.

I’m having a lot of fun collecting cassettes again, although at this rate I’ll need another storage solution.

Anyway, let’s jump in…

Perth, Here I Come!

Soon it was time for a whirlwind trip to Australia.

It was an early start at 3am for a flight to London. After a few hours, I was joined by my fellow UK Canva Verified Expert Natalia. We made the 17-hour flight together. Well, we didn’t actually see each other the entire time, but it was nice knowing I had a friend on the plane.

I arrived in Perth the next day and eagerly awaited my ride from lifelong friend Fiona. Only she was waiting at International Arrivals, and I rather confusingly arrived at the domestic terminal. (Remember that if you fly London to Perth on Qantas!)

She found me eventually, and it was like no time had passed.

Fiona and I stayed close to home on that first day so I could adjust.

Over the next few days, we visited just about all of Greater Perth’s hot spots: Kings Park, Elizabeth Quay, Cottesloe (aka “Coleslaw”) beach, Caversham Wildlife Park (cute Koalas and Kangaroos!), Fremantle and even Rottnest Island, where I tried, rather unsuccessfully, to get a selfie with a quokka. It’s a thing, who knew?

The beaches were stunning. Highly recommend a South Beach Sunset, Fremantle.

Fiona even took me record shopping in Thornlie (or near), and I picked up a Little River Band CD. I also learned that John Farnham was actually in the band for a spell. How have I lived this many years and not known that?

Poor Fiona needed a holiday after all that. We had a blast! I’m truly grateful to have reconnected in real life after more than two decades. A true friend for life! Thank you Fiona!

Sydney, Canva and Crate Digging

Before I knew it, it was time to fly across the country to Sydney for the Canva Verified Experts Summit. Once again, Natalia and I boarded a flight, and when we landed, we made our way to the Ace Hotel, which is within walking distance of Canva.

What followed was four days of back-to-back meetings with product teams and community leads. It was exhausting, inspirational and fun…

That’s perhaps worthy of a post on my other blog rather than here eh?

Suffice it to say, it was a fabulous week spent with my fellow global experts! We bonded like never before!

Whenever I had free time to myself, I naturally went record shopping. I went to Surry Hills’ Recordstore again but came away empty handed. I was delighted to hear him playing Housemartins as I entered.

I made return visits to Red Eye Records and I accidentally purchased one Scottish album that I already owned (D’oh, I really need to get better at updating my list. This keeps happening!)

Off to return it today. Silly Thea!

After Red Eye, I popped into JB Hi-Fi, where it turned out they sell CDs, DVDs, vinyl and more. So I left with an INXS Greatest Hits CD I’d never seen before. I’m sure I already had one, but this one was different! After all, they’re my favourite Aussie band, so obviously I had to buy it.

My Australian Music Haul

That brought the total music purchased in Australia to seven:

• Three Icehouse CDs

• A Charlie Sexton cassette

• Little River Band Greatest Hits CD

• INXS Greatest Hits CD

• Aztec Camera Knife on vinyl (another stolen record replaced!)

Technically, I bought the Icehouse CDs and Charlie Sexton cassette on November 1, so they should be in next month’s recap, but there you go! I’m breaking my own rules.

And I’m particularly pleased to have Knife back in my collection. That’s another one of my stolen records replaced, even if it’s not the original copy. Slowly but surely, the collection is coming back together.

10 Days of Aussie Faves on my TC Channel

If you aren’t following my Youtube, you may have missed I did 10 days of Youtube Shorts that celebrate some of my all time favourite Australian albums.

Find Day One here - and hey, if you’re not subscribed there and like your music chat, please give me a sub. If you like early Ac/Dc then swing by my Bon Scott memorial in Fremantle short.

That’s October Wrapped!

What a month! From catching up with an old friend in Perth to hanging out with fellow creatives in Sydney, with a fair bit of music shopping thrown in for good measure.

And November is already shaping up nicely, with a rather special concert at the Sydney Opera House to tell you about next time.

Over to you! Are you a fan of INXS, Icehouse or Little River Band? Or have you ever travelled somewhere and come home with more music than you intended? I’d love to hear about it in the comments.

PS: Any typos? Let me know!

September looked fairly normal on paper, then quietly turned into a box set with bonus material. Seriously it was a case of high highs and low lows, but that’s life, eh?

There was new vinyl, old radio memories, The Rip It Up Weekender, a catch up and. a selfie with a chart-topping Bluebell, a stolen record replacement, some reading from music folk, fresh Choose Vinyl merch, and the sad loss of a dear friend.

There were also trips to London, Glasgow, Edinburgh and even a castle, but I’ve decided to keep this post mostly music-related and share the other adventures over on my Thea Newcomb blog.

So let’s cue up September. Quick heads up: there are a few affiliate links, but only for stuff I genuinely rate.

Rip It Up at The Pyramid

On 26 and 27 September, The Pyramid in Anderston hosted a full weekend of music, film, memories and culture.

There was a photography exhibition featuring the work of Harry Papadopoulos. It’s always fun to see his images, and this time I even spotted Roddy Frame and Nick Heyward among them.

There were DJ sets, vinyl crates, creative bits and bobs, and the main reason I went was for two talks.

On Saturday, Douglas MacIntyre and his wife Katy Lironi (top right) spoke about their books. On Sunday, Fiona Shepherd and Alison Stroak hosted “Glasgow’s Greatest Hits: Tales from the City of Music”.

Both talks were enjoyable and nostalgic, especially if you like your Scottish music scene. I also had a quick chat and got a selfie with Ken McCluskey (bottom right) from The Bluebells, which was a nice wee bonus.

I even screen printed my own tote bag. It’s always good to get a spot of culture, especially when it is free and within walking distance from home.

Fresh Finds from Chalkys

I received two new records from Chalkys.com in September.

First up was INXS, Listen Like Thieves, a 40th anniversary reissue - which is an absolute cracker featuring an LP and a few CDs too. A joyful release from my favourite Aussies!

The original was one of the roughly 150 records pinched from my collection, so it feels good to have this one back in some form. (I’m counting it, which brings me to 63 replaced records.)

I also picked up a gem from my favourite American band of the last decade, Cigarettes After Sex, Cry LP. I wrote a wee blog about them over on the main site.

Until recently, I only had their music as MP3 downloads, so it’s been lovely to start collecting their physical releases. And yes, it sounds pristine as does a CD I picked up last year in California.

Goodbye, Tony Currie

Just over a week ago, I learned of the passing of Tony Currie, who was a radio mentor of sorts.

Over the last couple of decades, I recorded many series for his Radio Six International. The last shows I recorded for him were on the Isle of Lismore in April 2023 for his 60th anniversary. Here is the radio/dj-inspired Anniversary show on Mixcloud.

Only last year, he invited me back up to record more shows, but I was “too busy”. Now I have to live with that regret. I’ll write a longer post about Tony and some of the shows at some point, but I wanted to mention him here because, emotionally, this was probably the most significant thing that happened in September.

Goodbye TC, from TC. See you on the other side.

Choose Vinyl, Wear Vinyl

I had some Canva Print credit and decided to test it out by making some Choose Vinyl merch.

You can already buy the tote and the hoodie in the Totally Content Shop, but this was a chance for me to tweak the design and get the merch for free. I also wrote a post about the hoodie and Canva Print here.

My friend Carol Ann photographed me wearing the hoodie during one of our epic West End walks. I think the logo could be a bit bigger, but overall, I rather dig it.

Slightly Off Track

I think today should probably have been a podcast, but I’ve switched things up with this September recap instead. I need to get the next two episodes lined up this week so I’m covered while I’m in Australia. Meanwhile, if you missed my two recent Totally On Track podcasts, you can catch episode 16 and episode 17.

Once I hit episode 20, I’ll endeavour to invite guests on to talk to me about their favourite tracks. Roll on 2027…

Other September Sounds

I also picked up a few more musical gems in September, including The Kane Gang’s Miracle on LP, “Closest Thing to Heaven” on 12 inch, and Alison Moyet’s Raindancing on cassette.

I’m getting quite keen to start replacing the 130 or so stolen tapes too. There’s something sweetly nostalgic about cassettes. I just wish they still made a decent Sony Walkman, because I don’t love the look of most newer portable tape players.

Coming Up in October…

Look out for the October update, because I’ve already picked up some fabulous new music this month, including a stolen record I had already replaced.

Yes, really.

Clearly, my spreadsheet and I need to have words…

There is also that aforementioned not-so-little southern hemisphere trip on the horizon, so I’ll have plenty to fill you in on soon.

If you’ve read this far, thank you so much. I appreciate you.

xoxo from Glasgow. Miss T.

In this episode of Totally On Track, let’s travel back to 1990 and explores the strange emotional power of photographs, the beauty that can live inside sadness, and the way certain songs gather new meanings as we move through life.

From university memories and old relationships to a friendship that has lasted nearly four decades, this is an episode about the people, places and versions of ourselves that music can bring rushing back.

Kicking off today with a little nod to the Counting Crows there…Did you catch that? :)

Here we are, at the end of August. This year is absolutely flying by. As I lie on my bed looking out the window, I’m starting to see orange leaves on the trees, which can only mean one thing: autumn is coming.

Like most months, this one has been filled with networking events (four), digging through charity and record shops for music, and plenty of work for Totally Content.

This month I completed my first massive photo scanning job, digitising more than 2,000 family photos for a client. Both of his parents have passed, and he wanted to preserve his mother’s 20 plus photo albums. It was a huge job, but a really meaningful one.

I also managed to transfer a few more wedding videos, a stock car video for a film company, a confirmation, and a First Communion too. Memories aplenty!

Travels on the Horizon

I’m looking forward to a wee break from Glasgow soon. First up is a trip to London for AI Vision, a Canva event. It’s going to be wonderful catching up with several fellow Canva Verified Experts, some dear friends, new friends and associates while I’m down there. (See this blog post about AI Vision London).

Then in October, it’s my first-ever trip to Perth, Australia, where I’ll be spending time with my lifelong friend Fiona. We haven’t seen each other in a few decades, and I seriously cannot wait for quality time with this one!

I’m not hugely thrilled about the 17-hour direct flight from London, but I’m sure it will all be worth it once I get there.

Plus I have my fellow Canva UK Expert, Natalia (who’s just hit 200,000 subs on Youtube!) on the flight with me. Cheers to not traveling alone, for a change!

After that, it’s across to Sydney for a week long summit at Canva. I’m feeling very grateful for the opportunity once more. I had a ball last October!

The Month’s Music Wrap

It’s been an abundant month for music. In particular, I picked up three different vinyl records. Two are coloured vinyl which is a bit unusual for me. I don’t normally go in for coloured vinyl, but they sound great, and that is the main thing.

• Matchbox Twenty - Yourself or Someone Like You (red vinyl)

• Snow Patrol - The Forest Is the Path (blue vinyl)

• Thrum - Rifferama, the 2026 reissue (normal black)

’Was delighted to pick up the new, eagerly-anticipated Trashcan Sinatras CD, Ever the Optimist when it was released. It came with a wee autographed poster which was lovely. I was heartbroken to learn about guitarist John Douglas’s passing just three days after it was released. Truly heartbreaking. I feel bad for his bandmates and of course his wife, Eddi Reader and kids.

I recently shared a post of an archive interview with John and Frank from the band back in 2006 at Q96.

There was so much loss in August wasn’t there? I mean Tim, Dolly, Hayden and I also said goodbye to my friend Eddie Murphy this month.

One Concert in August

Shifting back to local music, I caught my one and only Kelvingrove Bandstand gig of the summer: The Bluebells, with Friends Again on support. It was the final show of the season there, and it turned out to be a fun night of outdoor music and catching up with friends and hearing those nostalgic tunes. Thanks Elizabeth for the ticket.

Edinburgh Film Festival

I popped through to Edinburgh for an afternoon at the Film Festival and a programme of European shorts. My friend Stef had a film making its European Shorts premiere, and there were a variety of other, mostly bizarre, films on the bill too.

My friend Marie joined me for what I have to say was some of the most uncomfortable viewing we’ve ever experienced in our lives. That said, there were definitely some thought provoking premises in the mix. It made for an interesting day, I have to say…

What I’m Watching…

This month I’ve been watching Felicity (box set), Ted Lasso (season 4), and I’m trying Trying again too. Plus, I found a few random Aussie shows (Sweat - with very young Heath and Martin Henderson and one called MDA).

As many of you know, I am a sucker for an Australian drama series, ever since Offspring!

What I’m Listening To…

The John Hughes Mixtape has been on the go, and a blog post about that retro goodness is coming this week. If you love John Hughes soundtracks you’ll definitely want to check this “Mixtape” box set out.

It’s an affiliate link but frankly I love, love, love it! One for my Gen-Xers, here’s my honest review of the box set from Chalkys.

If you missed the latest Totally On Track podcast episodes, you can catch Episode 15 here and the latest episode below! Soon I’ll be inviting others to chat to me about their top tracks.

Episode 16 here.

That’s Another Wrap

Thanks for reading, especially if you’ve made it all the way to the end of this month’s wrap. I really appreciate each and every one of you!

xoxo from Glasgow,

Miss T.

A song from 2003 that never needed to be a massive hit to mean something. For me, it’s about having that one person who can pick you up, brush you off, and make the day feel survivable again.

It’s a short episode about lyrics as love language, being seen at your weakest, and the rare gift of someone you know you can believe in.

It’s a story that travels from early 90s radio conference memories to Glasgow gigs, Q96 sessions, birthday vinyl, and the strange sadness of hearing a beautiful new record just as the band loses one of its own.

A short episode about long musical relationships, archive hunting, and the way some bands quietly stay with you across decades.

Hey my friend. How are you?

I’m back with what I am now calling a muse-letter instead of a newsletter, as it’s both my musings and music. Ready to roll with me on the July recap? Let’s go.

Summer here in Scotland might be brief, but I stretch my birthday into a whole month, because why not?

In July, I saw friends, celebrated my birthday at my dear friend’s gig, grabbed a bunch of music, and, oh yeah, an old SYBD idea from 2009? It’s now an app.

A Retro Revival

My friends Monica and John from Thrum celebrated the reissue of their fabulous debut album Rifferama with a homecoming gig at Cottiers in the West End. It was wonderful to see the show and catch up with several friends I’d not seen in years.

To celebrate the re-release, I even dug deep into my radio archives to find a short Q96 interview from exactly 32 years ago that week and uploaded the chat to YouTube. It’s so strange hearing our younger selves. They’ve promised me a new interview soon, so my fellow Thrum fans, watch this space.

Birthday Bits and Bobs

I want to thank my dear family and friends for all the messages, calls and so many goodies: cash, chocolate, bathy stuff, vinyl, and even a VHS head cleaner. Someone knows me well, eh?

I popped into Missing Records and, surprisingly, only stepped out with a couple of 12” singles. See below.

My friend Ross came round to celebrate our birthdays with cake. Whilst here, he helped me build my new small Kallax unit, and now I can happily report all vinyl is officially out of the boxes and on the shelves. It only took me two and a half years to make that happen.

July Music Haul

In addition to buying vinyl and CDs in 2026, I seem to be favouring cassettes now too. I wrapped up July picking up five at Oxfam Music.

While most people know about my AWOL vinyl, you might not know there were nearly 130 cassettes that went walkies without Walkmans too.

July Vinyl

The Alarm, “The Stand” 12”

U2, “U2-3”

The most important record, possibly of the year, The Housemartins’, London 0 Hull 4, one of my most desired replacements. Thanks John!

Cassettes

• Black - Wonderful Life

• Bourgeois Tagg - Yoyo

• Bros - Push

• The Church - Remote Luxury

• Julia Fordham - Julia Fordham

Here is a video of my budding Cassette collection to date. and, if you’re curious, you can see my list of stolen tapes here.

CDs

In a total High Fidelity moment, I heard a Snow Patrol CD playing at Oxfam and checked my list. When I noticed I didn’t already have it, I picked up Fallen Empires. While I’ve always liked the band, I seem to be more into them as time goes on.

I am sure I picked up more CDs but I can’t remember just now.

Wee Spending Spree for Me

With a gift voucher from my lifelong friend Marie, I purchased Snow Patrol’s The Forest Is the Path on vinyl and the Trashcan Sinatras’ latest, Ever the Optimist, on CD from Assai Records.

I’ve been on the lookout for Felicity on DVD and managed to track down seasons 2 and 4, but still need 1 and 3 before I can watch the dang thing properly.

I’ve also been trying to track down a faux leather jacket. I found one I love but it’s not available in my size yet. So to manifest it, and see how I’d look in it, I made a Totally on Track podcast promo in Leonardo AI and put myself in the jacket instead.

Speaking of Podcasts, my friend and fabulous TC supporter here on SS, had me on his podcast ‘On the Record’. You can listen to my, all Scottish selections here. Thank you John McTaggart!

There’s an App for That

Back in 2009, I had an idea for an app and in July that idea finally came to fruition.

It was based on the most popular forum post on So You’ve Been Dumped, a place where you could vent your thoughts and feelings instead of sending them to your ex.

Well, let me introduce you to The Vault.

I made it on an app called Stencil. It was a day’s work but worth every minute of it.

While I don’t have any recent ex to write to, I did use it to vent some thoughts and feelings. The moment it sent, I shed a tear, both because it worked and because I got my feelings out.

I have several upgrades and integrations to add, but it’s a start. All progress is progress.

Hey, even if you don’t have an ex you want to write to, please test it out anyway, I’d really appreciate it. It’d help me with the numbers. TIA.

Summer Fun with Friends

I had so much fun reconnecting with friends in July. I had a wonderful outing with my friend Carol Ann, a Transformations Coach, and we went for a walk around Mugdock Park, just north of the city.

Joanie and I hadn’t seen each other in several years, so we had a wander around Bellahouston and took in the Charles Rennie Mackintosh display at House for an Art Lover.

I also had a joyful day in Edinburgh seeing my fellow UK Canva Verified Expert, Natalia, and my aforementioned friend Marie-Therese. The weather was glorious, I picked up a gem of a black faux leather biker jacket at a charity shop, and it was my first time walking along the Water of Leith from Stockbridge through Dean Village to Haymarket.

A truly perfect day.

Public Service Announcement

Recently, I’ve been digitising several people’s wedding videos. Yesterday, a new client handed over three wedding Blu-ray discs. The most important one of the three was unplayable. I tried it in five different devices.

My client is heartbroken because her husband’s grandmother was on the wedding video and has since passed.

So if you only have one copy of your precious memories sitting on a VHS, cassette tape, CD or DVD, please get it transferred by someone. Wherever you are in the world. If you’re local of course, I gotchu!

Don’t lose your memories.

Speaking of memories, in the next update, I’ll share more about the TC collaboration with London’s Tape Transfer Pro on the international ‘Save Your Memories’ day.

Goodbye July, Hello August - How did that happen?

Thanks, as always, for spending a few minutes with me each month. Whether you’ve been here since the beginning or you’ve only just stumbled across this little corner of the internet, I’m genuinely grateful you’re along for the ride.

If you’d like to keep up with my adventures in music, retro tech, tape transfers, puzzles, podcasts and the occasional rabbit hole, you’ll find me in all the usual places below:

🎵 Totally Content: https://totallycontent.co.uk
🛍️ Shop: https://totallycontent.uk
🎙️ Podcast: https://totallycontentuk.substack.com/podcast
▶️ Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@TotallyContent
📸 Instagram: https://instagram.com/totallycontentcouk
💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/totally-content-uk

Until next month, take care of yourselves, keep supporting independent creators and record shops where you can, and don’t forget to make a little time for the things that make you smile.

xoxo from Glasgow, Miss T.

PS: Spot any typos, let me know,…it’s after midnight and I am rushing to post.

Today’s song came out in 1980, only reached number 72 on the Billboard singles chart, and still somehow became one of my all-time favourites. From the opening guitar riff to the handclaps, the late-night longing, that voice, and one cheeky final line, it still makes me smile four decades later.

A short episode about early music memories, romantic rock songs, and the tracks that get into your system for no grand intellectual reason. They just do.

In this episode of Totally On Track, I’m talking about a song that’s now nearly a quarter of a century old, but still captures something painfully familiar: wanting to be wanted, longing to be loved, and standing close to connection without quite feeling inside it.

It’s a beautifully melancholic track about love, distance, and the strange comfort of hindsight. Because sometimes we don’t understand the experience of what we’re living through until years later, when life finally gives us the aerial view.

Hey Friends,

June was one of those months where I seemed to spend as much time preserving my own past as everyone else's. When I'm not digitising clients' VHS tapes, camcorder videos, cassettes and photo albums, you'll usually find me ripping my own. It’s important for me to make sure the music, radio shows and memories I want to keep are safely backed up for posterity.

Away from the hard drives and recorders, there was networking, record shopping, a few long walks with friends, a conference, some unexpected inspiration, and yes...I even made a new friend. Here’s what June looked like.

Scottish Business Expo

Scottish Business Expo at Hampden featured more than 400 exhibitors and businesses.

Armed with nothing more glamorous than an old VHS tape, I spent the day talking to people about digitising media, preserving memories, and rescuing old formats.

The result? Two promising clients. One looking to have family photo albums scanned and preserved, and another interested in Canva training for an apprentice. Not bad for a VHS tape and a comfortable pair of trainers.

Punk Rock Networking

One of the biggest surprises of the month was meeting Stefan, one of the speakers and a three-time author on networking. After his talk, I walked up and asked him which punk band he’d seen the most often. That question led to a conversation that continued out of Hampden, onto the train, and all the way back to Glasgow Central.

Sometimes Often, the best conversations, for me, start with music.

It was great to be back at LinkedIn Local (now Konpasu)) where I reconnected with a few familiar faces and met some new ones too. One of the table talk questions was inspired. While I can’t remember the exact question, about how a conversation can spark a new product or service, I do remember my answer.

I mentioned how, during a Thanksgiving (2024) phone call with Paul, he told me he was transferring tapes for people in London and suggested I do it too.

By January 2025, I was offering a Tape Transfer service in Glasgow. Now, almost every week, I'm helping someone preserve their treasured memories. It’s joyful work. Thanks Paul. ;)

Out ‘n’ About in the Central Belt

In June, I had several walks, along rivers and in parks, with dear friends in Glasgow: Jay (and pooch Nala), Elizabeth and Carol-Ann too.

Walking, talking and putting the world to rights are three of my favourite things.

So is having tea and scones with friends like Kirsty McCourt from Flourish Together. She’s just celebrated her 25th-wedding anniversary, and I had the privilege of transferring her wedding tape. Congrats Kirsty.

Walking Down Memory Lady Lane

Mid-month, I attended a conference at the University of the West of Scotland in Paisley - ‘The Past, Present and Future of Preventing Stalking in Scotland’. (IYKYK).

While the panel was interesting enough, what really was the highlight was the walk down memory lane….Or should I say Lady Lane? You see, my first ever job was at Q96 on Lady Lane. So even though the High Street is a largely derelict ghost town, it was nice to be back there for nostalgia’s sake.

On the Music Front

• I scored 3 for £1.00 on vinyl, twice! First - Then Jerico’s First, The Sound of Music LP, Trans X '“Living on Video” 12” and the Eurogliders Absolutely (which I already had,…D’oh, but it’s a different cover so that’s OK). The next 3-4-1 haul was a Tiffany album, Mighty Lemon Drops 12” and Neil Sedaka record too. How’s that for a variety? Don’t judge…

• Also in June, I picked up Snow Patrol’s ‘The Forest is the Path’ which is one of my favourite albums over the last several years. I’d like to get all their records on vinyl. Oh hey, did you see they’ve just released a song with Kylie?

• Speaking of Ms Minogue, I did watch her TWO shows that dropped on Netflix in June. (Well done Stefan D, for the Tension Tour Live, am proud of you, buddy! xx).

• In an attempt to get organised, I picked up some dividers for my vinyl which makes it so much easier to find the records. Pretty cool, eh? Why did nobody tell me years ago how useful these are?

• As a big fan of Dublin’s Into Paradise in the ’90s, I’ve been thoroughly enjoying Jimmy Eadie’s stories here on Substack. It’s even caused me to pull out one of my old compilations and rip it to WAV before it’s too late. (Tape doesn't last forever. Neither do CDs or DVDs..just a wee reminder.)

“Every Hour They Leave…”

I went to Buchanan Bus Station to meet Carol from Scottish Keepsakes, who also happens to be my latest tape transfer customer. Whenever I’m there, I can’t help but sing “Killermont Street” in my head. This time, I had to take a picture at the bus stop to celebrate Mr. Frame.

You can hear the song, and see my beautiful city, in this video for “Killermont Street”.

You can thank me later. Oh, and if you know what Roddy’s up to, please let me know. I miss him.

That’s a Wrap

That was June. A month of preserving memories, making new ones, finding great music and being reminded, yet again, that life’s best moments usually aren’t planned.

Until next month, keep your memories safe...and if they’re still sitting on a tape, disc or dusty photo album, you know where to find me.

PS: If you missed it, the latest episode of the podcast, celebrates Ralph. It was a Father’s day episode and clocks in around 5 minutes. Hope you like it.

xoxo from Glasgow,

Miss T.

It’s a song that starts with one of rock’s most recognisable riffs, but for me it also means root beer, pepperoni pizza, Tower Records, teenage nerves, and my dad Ralph somehow pulling four concert tickets out of thin air on the morning of the show.

A Father’s Day episode about live music, early music memories, and the people who give us songs that stay with us for life.

It is a song about longing, return, and that feeling of coming home to a person, not just a place.

Some songs become huge chart hits. Others settle in somewhere more personal and stay there. This one has always felt like shelter in rainy weather for me.

Back from California at the end of April, I was still recovering from what was likely a new strain of Covid, with maybe a small side order of jet lag for extra flavour.

May didn’t exactly wait politely for me to stop coughing. What started as a recovery month turned into one packed with music, new connections, interesting client projects, and my first new Etsy product in over a year.

Let’s kick off this recap with where I went, what I bought, who I met, and everything else.

Warning: It’s another long’un, but there are plenty of pics to make it easier on your eyes! Are you ready? Let’s go!

Friday, I’m in…Records

May kicked off with Banter, my regular Friday morning networking on Byres Road. Once the coffee and conversations were done, it was straight to the record shop with my friend John. A few doors up, Oxfam Music offers a 3 for £1 vinyl deal. Naturally, I’ve taken advantage of that offer more than once.

The records aren’t necessarily destined for the turntable, though. They’re potential future art projects. Maybe spacers in the record collection, wall clocks, bowls, or other "art".

I’m not entirely sure yet, but I’ve spent more than a few evenings scrolling Pinterest looking for inspiration.

If you’re on Pinterest, please give me a follow. I’ve got two whole followers there and one of them is me on a different account.

As ever, I am winning at life…

Rewinding Time for Clients

May brought three particularly memorable digitising projects.

A Glasgow archive entrusted me with more than twenty cassette tapes containing historic interviews recorded during the 1980s and 1990s.

Geek alert: I’d never seen a Blue Mitsubishi cassette like this before!

Another client brought in a pair of early 1990s VHS tapes for preservation. These featured family holidays, Christmas celebrations, and childhood adventures with her brother and sister.

When I returned her tapes, she confessed, “There were tears,” after watching them with her siblings. That’s exactly why I love this work.

Lastly, my friend Jonathan was overjoyed to have finally tracked down an NME compilation cassette he’d been searching for for decades. After eventually finding a copy on Discogs, I digitised it so he could enjoy the music again, particularly a sought-after Nick Cave rarity. Look at this track listing. It’s a cracker!

West End Wanderings

May included several visits to Oxfam Music, Mixed Up Records, and a first-ever trip to Roasted Vinyl.

After Friday morning banter, John and I decided to wander down Crow Road to visit the shop. We thought it was near one end of the road.

It wasn’t.

About an hour’s walk later, we finally arrived, ordered tea, and started digging. An album by Arthur Buck caught my eye. At first, I had no idea who they were but on closer inspection, I realised it was Joseph Arthur teaming up with Peter Buck from R.E.M. Needless to say, that record came home with me. Best fiver I’ve spent in a while.

A Perfect Afternoon…

Speaking of West End wanderings, on the Bank Holiday weekend, I shared the most wonderful West End afternoon with a lifelong friend MT who came through from the Capital. It was a superb, spontaneous sunny Saturday as seen here on my Instagram and on the selfie below!

Crate Digging Swoop - 4 More Stolen Records Replaced!

After returning those archive cassette tapes to my client one afternoon, I found myself walking along the West End’s Great Western Road once more. I debated whether it was sensible to pop into Mixed Up Records.

It turned out to be a decidedly mixed decision. I emerged carrying two records from my high-priority stolen vinyl replacement list: Ministry’s With Sympathy and INXS’s INXSIVE. At £30 and £20 respectively, both were comfortably above my usual £10 limit.

I also picked up two twelve inches which also had been nicked - Tears For Fears’ “Shout” and U2’s “New Year’s Day (Long Version)” and one more, Deacon Blue's classic "Dignity" (a re-recording). I blame you Hollins for that one…

By the time I left, I’d spent £78 in one glorious crate-digging swoop. Painful? Yes….but sometimes, you just gotta say “WTF.”

Cassette Comeback Tour

Something I don’t often mention is that alongside the 150 stolen records, I also lost 130 cassette tapes. See my full tapes list here.

So, in quiet defiance, I’ve started rebuilding the cassette collection too. One tape at a time. While I haven’t yet replaced any of the missing tapes specifically, I did manage to add Jane’s Addiction, Climie Fisher, Deacon Blue, R.E.M., and Patti Rothberg to the collection during May. Not too shabby.

Music in May

Here’s a snapshot of some of the music that followed me home this month. In addition to what I mentioned above, I also picked up:

• River City People – “(What’s Wrong with) Dreaming” (12”)

• Neil Diamond – Tap Root Manuscript

• Captain & Tennille – 20 Greatest Hits (One of my mom’s faves!)

CDs

• American Anthems (3CD compilation)

• AC/DC – For Those About to Rock

I’ll try to do a better job of logging purchases next month. Somewhere between California, Glasgow, Record Store Day, and random record shops, I’ve slightly lost track of where everything came from.

FYI: I am trying to keep my stolen and replaced records list up to date.

Gen X Marks the Spot

One morning in mid-May, I woke up inspired to create something for my fellow Gen X music lovers. The result was my first new Etsy product in over a year.

Gen X 4th of July Music Games, 80s 90s Word Search, Pop Quiz Printable - also compatible on tablets!

It contains:

• Two word searches

• Two word snakes

• Two match-the-artist puzzles

• A page of music-themed quiz questions

• And all answer keys too!

It’s available now for just a couple of bucks on both Etsy and the TC shop.

While it may not be your thing, perhaps you can share it with someone who might enjoy it? I’d be grateful.

The next project will be a Gen X British Summertime version. I may need some help with that one. I only visited the UK in 1987 and 1989, so you’ll have to keep me honest. Watch this space.

That’s Entertainment

What I’m Streaming, Reading & Listening To

Following on from last month’s update, I’ve continued my mission to spend less time staring at screens. That meant another trip to the local library. I’m currently reading A Proper Family Holiday by Chrissie Manby in large print. (Look, Pa, no specs needed.)

I’ve enjoyed several of her novels over the years, and while this one isn’t quite grabbing me in the same way, I’ll stick with it…Mostly because I first met Chrissie in the early 2000s when she gave me some novels to give away and even contributed an article or two to So You’ve Been Dumped.

In My Ears…(Pods)

Podcast-wise, I enjoyed two that were recommended by an associate up in Ullapool. These were Fraudacious and Flesh and Code.

On Audible, I’ve been listening to Nobody’s Victim: Fighting Psychos, Stalkers, Pervs, and Trolls by Carrie Goldberg (for somewhat obvious reasons…IYKYK).

I’ve also finally listened to Britney Spears’ memoir The Woman in Me. What a life she’s had, bless her cotton socks.

I’ve revisited two old favourites as well: Big Magic by Elizabeth Gilbert and The Secret Advantage by Earl Nightingale.

On My Screen (TV)

Rivals

May saw the welcome return of Jilly Cooper’s Rivals, which remains deliciously outrageous and powered by a near-perfect 1980s soundtrack.

Highly recommended.

Rooster

I also finished Season 1 of Rooster. Steve Carell remains one of those actors who is more hit than miss for me. It’s great seeing Connie Britton on screen again. Anyone who loved Nashville or Friday Night Lights will understand. Phil Dunster is terrific too, playing a character that’s both similar to and completely different from Jamie Tartt in Ted Lasso. Sadly, Season 2 isn’t expected until sometime in 2027.

That’s a Wrap…

May was a month of building and rebuilding.

Rebuilding energy, reclaiming vinyl, building new business opportunities and rebuilding confidence.

Thanks, as always, for reading, commenting, subscribing, and listening to the podcast.

I genuinely appreciate every single one of you.

Until next time...

xoxo from Glasgow, Miss T.

It’s part new wave love song, part radio memory, part teenage nerve. There’s the Warfield Theatre, a slightly awkward attempt to meet the band, a few favourite cover versions, and the added ache of the album later becoming one of the records stolen from my vinyl collection.

Sometimes the song stays sharper than the memory around it.

Enjoy the ride.

What begins as a quirky lyric about CDs turns into something surprisingly touching about love, legacy, and the things we choose to leave behind. Because sometimes the most meaningful inheritance isn’t money or jewellery. It’s the music that shaped us, the albums we treasured, and the memories attached to every song.

A modern love song with a line that feels as if it was written specifically for music collectors. Hope you enjoy it.

Now, grab a drink, this one’s a bit of a ride.

California All the Way…

Early in April, I flew out on a Wednesday morning and was picked up by my friend Kim. Our first stop was a nearby Chili’s! Yum! ’Gave myself a day or two to acclimate. Enjoyed some California sunshine and a bit of sister time.

Friday, I picked up the rental car and drove down to LA on Saturday. I spent the night at my friend KJ’s house. Our friendship dates all the way back to my mid-80s Tower Records days. Speaking of Tower Records...Have you seen this?

Canva Week in LA

On Sunday afternoon, it was over to the Santa Monica Hilton to join my fellow Canva Verified Experts for a week of Canva fun. We had a special “Experts Summit”, followed by the main event, Canva Create at Sofi Stadium on Thursday April 16th.

It was so lovely to see my fellow Experts from all over the world but…

The major drag was that I got sick right at the start of the week, which put a real mar on the whole proceedings. Tuesday, I had gastrointestinal issues for the full day, followed by a flu like cough that stuck around for the rest of the trip and beyond.

It’s finally eased up now...thankfully.

Record Store Day 2026

On Record Store Day, April 18th, I did manage a brief visit to Gimme Gimme Records for the second year running. This little spot in Highland Park always has some great gems at reasonable prices.

I picked up replacement of, yet another, stolen record, Nick Heyward’s “You’re My World“ and an Echo and the Bunnymen 5-track EP that reminds me of my friend Carol. (“Hey Barrel”)

I never go for new releases or reissues, but I still enjoy being in a record shop on RSD.

Sadly, I was far too sick to spend more than about fifteen minutes there and had to head straight back to KJ’s lie down. What a bummer! How I managed to drive 360 miles the next day, I’ll never know.

Autopilot, clearly.

Recovery Mode

I spent the next two or three days in bed, looked after by my big sister Wendy and brother in law, Rich. I can’t tell you how much I appreciated having a soft place to land and recover for a few days.

Tahoe Reset

By Thursday, I was feeling a bit better. Well enough for my California bestie, Kim to pick me up and take me to her new place near Lake Tahoe. We had so much in the little town of Truckee - which I’d not been to for over four decades. It was like walking around in a Hallmark movie set. I love it.

We spent time relaxing by the fire pit, shopping, watching Netflix, and eating (even though I still had very little appetite and felt a bit off).

Sorry Kimmy...

Livermore & Vinyl Finds

On Saturday, I was dropped off at another lifelong friend’s house, Jim in Livermore.

We went out for a meal, then watched The Rip (Ben Affleck and Matt Damon) which was very good. We were both seriously lost through most of it, but by the end, we loved the twist! Have you seen it?

The next morning we headed out for breakfast and a bit of vintage shopping. I picked up another vinyl replacement, Frankie Goes to Hollywood’s “Relax” 12-inch, and The Politics of Dancing album by Re-Flex. I loved that album so very much. Jim then kindly drove me all the way back to my sister’s house.

Speaking of “Lifelong Friends”

On the way to Santa Cruz, we made a stop in Hayward to visit my mother’s best friend, Gail, who had just turned 90. I’d sadly missed her surprise birthday party the week before, but in a way, this felt even more special.

It turns out my parents were actually the ones who set Gail up with her late husband Don, on a blind date, all those years ago. How sweet is that?

The last time I’d seen Gail and Don Jr was at my mother’s funeral in the early 90s, so it was lovely to reconnect with them and to meet her daughter Lanette. What a lovely family!

The Final Days…

As the trip wound down, there was a visit to Streetlight Records where I picked up four CDs, a family meal at the legendary Shadowbrook Restaurant, (complete with a “taxi” driven by a former TV newsman Phil), a wee date and one final, full day out with my high school bestie, Nicki. It was the perfect way to end the trip, full of laughter, arcade silliness, and ice cream.

I honestly feel very lucky to still have so many close friendships from the ’80s. Makes me realise that, though I know I am not the easiest person, I musn’t be all that bad… ;-)

Heading Home

Before I knew it, it was time to leave California once more. My friend Teri drove me to SFO, with a quick detour past the little Cupertino garage (pictured above) where Apple famously got its start. A fittingly Silicon Valley way to end the trip.

I was still coughing, still not feeling 100%, but somehow made it back to sunny Scotland in one piece.

Goodbye California

As the plane lifted off from San Francisco, I wondered when I’ll next make it back to California. This trip felt different somehow. Maybe because I was sick for most of it. Maybe because time moves faster now. Or maybe because revisiting the places and people tied to your younger years always comes with a strange mix of joy, gratitude, and nostalgia.

It’s been a bit Bittersweet.

There are many other places on the globe I’d like to visit now. Where should I go next?

If you’ve read this far, then I thank you from the bottom of my heart.

If you’re on Instagram, here’s a short video of landing back in Scotland.

PS: A New String to the Bow

If you’re in Glasgow and have a box of old photos gathering dust, I can now scan and digitise them for you. That’s in addition to my audio transfers (cassettes, MiniDiscs and more) and video conversions (VHS and camcorder tapes).

Saving sounds, stories, and snapshots before time does its thing.

Smooth, understated, and beautifully delivered, it doesn’t try to be clever or complicated. It simply says what so many of us want to hear, and maybe more importantly, what so many of us hope to feel. To feel chosen, adored and that special someone to someone. To know you’ve found something real.

This one isn’t tied to a specific place or moment in time. It’s more about the feeling it creates. Warm, reassuring, and quietly confident in its message.

Sometimes the songs that strike a chord don’t take you back somewhere specific. Sometimes they simply remind you what matters most - namely to love and be loved.

Thanks for listening.