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Spaceships Over Glasgow

By: Stuart Braithwaite
Narrated by: John Niven, Stuart Braithwaite
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Summary

Born the son of Scotland's last telescope-maker, Stuart Braithwaite was perhaps always destined for a life of psychedelic adventuring on the furthest frontiers of noise in MOGWAI, one of the best loved and most ground-breaking post-rock bands of the past three decades.

Modestly delinquent at school, Stuart developed an early appetite for 'alternative' music in what might arguably be described as its halcyon days, the late '80s. Discovering bands like Sonic Youth, My Bloody Valentine, and Jesus and Mary Chain, and attending seminal gigs (often incongruously incognito as a young girl with long hair to compensate for his babyface features) by The Cure and Nirvana, Stuart compensated for his indifference to school work with a dedication to rock and roll...and of course the fledgling hedonism that comes with it.

Spaceships Over Glasgow is a love song to live rock and roll; to the passionate abandon we've all felt in the crowd (and some of us, if lucky enough, from the stage) at a truly incendiary gig. It is also the story of a life lived on the edge; of the high-times and hazardous pit-stops of international touring with a band of misfits and miscreants.

This unabridged audio download, narrated by the author, features an audiobook exclusive interview with author and screenwriter John Niven.

PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying PDF will be available in your Audible Library along with the audio.

©2022 Stuart Braithwaite (P)2022 Orion Publishing Group
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What listeners say about Spaceships Over Glasgow

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Stay tuned for the interview at the end!

Such a good listen - and all my Mogwai pre-conceptions shattered

Really enjoyed this, and a must listen for any alternative music fan
Particularly for a ‘music kid’ from Glasgow who moved to Edinburgh - feels like it was kinda written to me 😲

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Superb

Great read from a man who has tried to enjoy life to the max. Now re listening mogwai albums

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A facinating, enthralling & funny.

As a huge fan of both mogwai, Arab Strap & many acts from the Chemikal Underground stable I have been waiting for this book with not a little excitement. It was worth the wait. It is riddled with a palpable vulnerability, a raw honesty and dry sharp humour. This a book I will revisit again.

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An excellent insight into the influential Mogwai

A very enjoyable and interesting listen to tales of the seminal band Mogwai who formed during the 90s and outlived many of their peers. The 90s is a period close to my heart and the author and I share very similar taste in music (hello Swervedriver and The God Machine), even appearing to have attended some of the same gigs. Would recommend.

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for the mogwai fans out there

'most' (not all but most) music biographies are only interesting to fans of the music and as a huge fan i loved it.

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Have recommended this book to my friends.

Let me start by saying Mogwai passed me by somehow and I never really got into them.
Yet, I enjoyed this book as it’s a funny and relatable story of a music obsessive who frequented my favourite spots in and around Glasgow. It helps that I love a lot of the bands that he tours with and talks about and I was pleased to read of his bands success. There were many tales of getting ‘mortal’ and ‘out ma ghourd’ but they were told with honesty and didn’t sound like a rock n roll cliche.
I’m away to do my homework now and listen to Mogwai.

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An honest rendition.. brings back memories 💜

This was a fun book, I started reading the book and switched to audible as I wanted to hear more whilst on the move. Growing up on the periphery of Stuart’s life at the same school and just outside the ‘group of misfits’ he talks so fondly of. This book took me back, I found myself smiling hard at the tales and debacles, many bringing back memories of my life at the time, especially the gigs that I was at or heard about afterwards. I am sure so many others will have felt the same. Well done for the honesty, passion, dirt and all. It was great to hear the journey and success of you and the band. Good luck for the future, stories and next book👍

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Heady Days

It's a real treat to hear Stuart, in his own words and his own voice, reminiscing on his life and career so far. I was a little surprised that it didn't end with Mogwai deservedly (but a bit unexpectedly) finally getting a number one album - I guess that happened after the book was finished? - and, nerd that I am, I would have liked a little more detail on the songwriting processes. But as is, it's a really warm, often hilarious trip through the wild ride of what's become a bygone era of the music industry.

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'if the stars had a sound...'

So, Mogwai's music has been huge in my life and mindscape for many years... I don't assume to know Stuart or the band through the media, or my deep connection to the music (or to need need to, to love the music).. This account is warm, honest, at points hilarious and tender, and sometimes brutal. The fear with reading autobiography is discovering disagreement or dislike: not this. I come away from a hugely enjoyable listen/read with feeling respect and admiration for Stuart and the band. Good and decent guy, good people, great story, good humour, fine principles, beautiful music.

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Best music memoir I’ve read in years.

Banging. Made me feel nostalgic for times past and want to listen to new music and experience new things (maybe not drugs though) and I can’t recommend it enough.
Start a list, as you will no doubt discover some great bands listening to Stuart’s anecdotes.

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