A New Year, a new start; time to select a blank canvas and start sketching a fresh picture. Or, more relevant to this column, pick up a new instrument and play a new tune.

TS Elliot put it well when thinking of New Year and fresh starts when he so eloquently said: “For last year’s words belong to last year’s language And next year’s words await another voice.”

But then on the same subject of celebrating the start of a new year, Paris Hilton slightly less eloquently said: “I get half a million just to show up at parties. My life is, like, really really fun.”

Which to me says something about how society is spiralling out of control.

So, in this quieter time of the year there is room to stop and reflect on what you want from the local music scene this year.

It has been a time of belt tightening and cutbacks – musical austerity if you like – but that is not to say we can’t do something about that. Austerity is about money, but supporting music (or any art form) is not. It’s about cutting your coat according to your cloth, as they say.

If you can’t get gigs in the few venues left operating, put your own on in alternative locations, play cafes, basements, churches, parks, house parties or art spaces. You might even consider hitting the streets and busking.

Old School Music must find a way. This year is going to be about thinking outside the box as the music scene takes the time it needs to get back on its feet.

But remember, wherever the gig takes place, it still needs to be supported, so let’s have none of the old excuses. If you are fed up by music being represented by a twerking twerp like Ms Cyrus, Nickleback (probably the worst Pearl Jam tribute band in the world) or anything that is the product of a TV show, from X-Factor to Glee, then get involved with grass roots music, while there is something still to get involved with.

Right, it may be a quiet week, but there are still a few choice cuts to be dined on. At The Victoria tonight, Secret Chord Records has a showcase of just some of the acts that they have handpicked to work with throughout the coming year, so the quality control has been done for you. Headlining are the band whose recent album seems to be as popular in Japan and New York as it is in Swindon – Super Squarecloud. A wonderful alchemy of skewed pop, mathy interludes and time signatures that have more to do with quantum physics than music, the result is some of the most original sounds you will hear in ages. Support comes from Bristolians Armchair Committee, a band who combine the howling blues riffs of the Jack White school of cool with monumental stoner riffs and a impressively joyous noise.

Opening the night, Faye Rogers’ delicate folk palette is very much the calm before the storm.

Friday is the night for acoustic music. The Victoria has Pirate Joe, a wonderful collection of improvisation, looping effects, comedy and multi-instrumentation. Support comes from the brilliant Jimmy Moore, the enigmatic Zackie Chan, plus local stalwarts Hiproute.

At Riff’s Bar the first of the new Acoustic Sessions kicks off with Darren Hodge, who I can find almost no information about on the internet, and Adam Sweet, who plays bluesy acoustic rock.

For something a bit more rock and roll, now repatriated with the land of his birth, David Marx brings his AK-Poets back to The Rolleston, a riot of raucous riffs and manic melodies… not to be missed.

Saturday sees the welcome return of Iron Hearse to The Victoria, a wonderful mix of kick-ass rock, doom infused anthems and old school metal. Warming up the crowd for them are Hot Flex and a bag of suitable covers.

And finally The Rolleston features one of the youngest and most talented electric bluesmen on the circuit – Laurence Jones – who takes influence from legends such as Albert Collins and Tony McPhee. This is a player who is keeping the genre alive and fresh and marching into the 21st Century.

So there we go... welcome to 2014.