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Glasgow Music Blogs

 

Glasgow’s thriving music scene has a strong grassroots foundation; it is also a city rarely left off the map for global artists on arena tours. Every city’s scene beats to its own rhythm and is celebrated by the inhabitants, but the hype around the Glasgow music scene is so much more than the city-dwellers banging their own drum.

Glasgow was the first city in the UK to receive the UNESCO city of music award in 2008. In 2019, Glasgow was dubbed the United Kingdom’s top creative and cultural city by the European Commission.

Glasgow is home to several prestigious arts companies, including the BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra and The Royal Scottish National Orchestra. Glasgow doesn’t fall short on homegrown talent either. Some of the biggest acts in the UK have roots in Glasgow, including The Jesus and Mary Chain, Teenage Fanclub, The Vaselines, Mogwai, Franz Ferdinand, Primal Scream, Glasvegas, The Fratellis, Bis, and Texas.

Glasgow’s most prodigal sons, Arab Strap, started making waves in 1995; with their comeback album, As Days Get Dark, in 2021, they got to the top of the UK Record Store sales chart and held the number 1 position for quite some time.

There are plenty of famous venues in the Glasgow music scene for up and coming artists to cut their teeth. Even with a 300-capacity, King Tut’s Wah Wah Hut is one of the most famous indie venues in the world for the part it played in Scotland’s history of indie. When Oasis turned up at King Tut’s Wah Wah Hut and demanded a place on the bill, their superstardom went supersonic. The hut also hosted other legendary alt-90s artists, including Beck, Manic Street Preachers, the Verve, Blur and Radiohead. For three years in a row, the venue was dubbed the UK’s Best Live Venue. If that wasn’t a big deal, the fact that it featured in the number 7 spot in a follow-your-bliss bucket list curated by New York Magazine.

Other iconic venues in Glasgow include Barrowland Ballroom, Nice N Sleazy, Bar Bloc, Mono and the Glasgow Royal Concert Hall. Glaswegian music fans also have the reputation of raising a roof, regardless of the venue or genre.

Glaswegians are spoilt for choice with the wide range of radio stations. For the freshest indie fixes, listeners turn to BBC Radio Scotland. For pop hits, Clyde 1, and the biggest beats, electro fans tune into Trancetechnic.

Fall into Crawford Mack’s Hauntingly Poetic Chamber Pop Single ‘The Art of Losing You’

Posted on 24 March 2021

Following on from the success of their debut album, ‘Bread & Circuses’, Glasgow-hailing, London-residing alternative artist, Crawford Mack has lavished the airwaves with their chamber pop single, ‘The Art of Losing You’.

With hauntingly poetic lyrics falling into the smoothly sparse production which teases nuances of jazz and folk, Crawford Mack exhibits an inimitable style, but more importantly, he doesn’t fail to appeal to the softer and more sentimental side of the human condition. Any fans of Father John Misty, Benjamin Clementine and Gabriel Kahane will want to delve in.

The single marks a new chapter for Crawford Mack who has shared stages with the likes of The Paper Kites, Damien Dempsey and Tom Walker. It’s a page-turner. Get him on your radar.

The Art of Losing You is now available to stream via Spotify.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Opening your eyes to the true path: “Nice To Hear You Smile’ from Hippy is a modern day story of going against the system

Posted on 2 December 2020

Glasgow based singer-songwriter Paul Hipson and guitarist Hugh Frizell join forces to combine into the creative outfit called Hippy. The Indie-Rock storytellers have blessed our ears with ‘Nice To Hear You Smile’ which is the 10th song off their debut album called ‘Behind Every Song Is A Story’. A powerfully presented song that strikes your conscious hot and this could be the perfect wake up track to remind us to live our own life each day.

His vocals are clear and concise, with lyrics about standing up for yourself and knowing your true value. Life is crazy with twists and turns tying you up like a scout knot so you need to good friends around to make you smile. The insidious pressures of modern day life are eloquently portrayed and the truth that is sung and spoken about are spot on.

Being your own person and thinking for yourself has never been more important with so much focus on the news and not on much more important topics like self-improvement and opportunities to do what you love. Being stuck in that rat race wheel of life is so unhealthy and ultimately will cause more harm than good; even if at first you think the opposite is true.

With their cutting edge honesty, gritty vocals and the kind of fiery guitar style that gives you those welcome shivers of excitement, Glasgow’s Hippy wake us up on “Nice To Hear You Smile‘. This sterling effort is a relevant anthem that has been created to open the blinkers off lost souls that have been so focused on themselves and have failed to look at the bigger picture. Being happy inside counts more than what is in your bank account as long term, your soul needs to be fulfilled with laughs and self-awareness.

Hear this new song on their Spotify and find out more about the duo via IG.

Reviewed by Llewelyn Screen

The solo journey begins: Glasgow’s Laird goes solo and speaks the truth on ‘Rock & Roll Has Died’

Posted on 13 November 2020

Sometimes solo artists work out after being in bands half their lives. Sometimes however, they crash, burn and go back to the old band or form a new one. This time, we find an artist with an extra edge and a hunger that will clean out the buffet table.

Glasgow’s Laird has gone solo and speaks the truth on ‘Rock & Roll Has Died‘. He loves this genre of music and it’s inside his bones, his blood flows with kick ass tunes that rocks the house down.

After being in a few well-respected local bands in the Glasgow area that were blessed enough to share the stage with Red Hot Chilli Peppers, Biffy Clyro and more, this artists career has come full circle.

New York legend Nas famously said that Hip Hop was dead. This has the same kind of energy and truth to it. That pure Rock & Roll vibe that was huge for many years has gone down in terms of mainstream appeal as electronic and other watered down music dominated the airwaves and radio.

‘Rock & Roll Has Died‘ from Scotland’s Laird has that old school feel to it as he expressed his love for this style of music. The energy is high, his vocals are so good and this is a track that takes you back to the good times. The genre will never fully die but it does feel that it could be much better. Hopefully Rock & Roll rises from the dead and returns to the top of the minds of music fans globally.

Click here for the Soundcloud link.

Head to the Facebook page to find out more.

Reviewed by Llewelyn Screen

EIN has made a sonically powerful Alt-Rock debut with “Shifter”

Posted on 17 October 2020

Blow the cobwebs off your speakers with the colossal debut single “Shifter” from Glaswegian Alt-Rock trio EIN.

Their stadium-filling sound nicely pairs with their stylistic energy which finds the perfect balance between abrasive and accessible.

With the atmospherically high-octane debut, EIN is already boasting that crucial maturity and synergy within their sound. If their sophomore release is equally as exhilarating, EIN won’t stay an up and coming act for long.

If someone asked me to point them in the direction of the best of 2020 Alt Rock, I’d point them in EIN’s direction. With the lacerating instrumental hooks, juicy ecstasy-dripping choruses and their own scuzzy stamp on the high-energy release, you really couldn’t ask for more from a Rock hit.

You can check out EIN’s single Shifter for yourselves by heading over to Spotify.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Zak Lyon speaks about a destructive relationship on indie-folk ‘Nothing Changes’

Posted on 18 August 2020

‘Nothing Changes’ from Zak Lyon is a sad indie-folk song about how relationships can get out of hand sometimes.

Zak Lyon from Glasgow is back and this is quite an interesting story. This is the story about how things can get physical even though you don’t want things to. You blame yourself in the end and things will never ever be the same again. The relationship will be scarred forever sadly.

‘Nothing Changes’ from Zak Lyon strums through with his passionate vocals and a guitar style that is very unique. The Glasgow singer-songwriter is a quality singer and speaks on a subject that is often taboo. He sings with such power and you can feel the pain in his voice. This is a soulful song that is very sad and I feel rather down after hearing this. Sometimes things never change and it’s up to us to deal with it and make changes where we can. In the end we are in control.

Stream this fab indie folk song here on Soundcloud.

Here is the Bandcamp link.

Click here for the Facebook page.

Reviewed by Llewelyn Screen

Scottish singer Alicia-Deanna is in incredible form on ‘Lessened By Love’

Posted on 15 August 2020

Alicia-Deanna is a talented 22 year old singer-songwriter, producer and creative based in Edinburgh. She breathes beauty into 2020 with the self-aware single ‘Lessened By Love‘.

You miss that special person in your life and you only have eyes for them. Right now, things are not as they should be and it consumes your mind. You wish you hadn’t let them go but that is what happened and now you need to heal. Or can you be together again after some time apart?

Alicia has already featured at Edinburgh Fringe Festival, BBC and Glasgow Roots Review. With more big things on the way in 2021, we are witnessing an artist going places.

‘Lessened By Love‘ from indie folk singer Alicia-Deanna is a somber tale of not wanting to lose that special touch with that person you really feel you should be with. The Channel Islands native sings with such authenticity and she is in fine form here. Her voice makes you listen intently without being pushy, your mind takes you to a previous experience like this story and wonder what could of happened.

Alicia-Deanna shines brightly like a shooting star on ‘Lessened By Love‘ and this is a pleasure to listen to. A big future awaits.

Stream here on Soundcloud.

Click here for the Facebook music page.

Reviewed by Llewelyn Screen

Album Review: ‘Cold Hands, Burn Slow’ from Fiskur

Posted on 13 August 2020

UK singer-songwriter Fiskur is here and he comes out with one of the more underrated albums of 2020 with ‘Cold Hands, Burn Slow‘.

Fiskur was formed by Glasgow songwriter Ross Clark, previously the front-man of Three Blind Wolves.
After Three Blind Wolves ended, Ross was left spinning in the wake of big changes, unsure what to do next. Returning to his roots and taking time for himself, Ross spent a lot of time fly fishing in the River Kelvin. During these lazy afternoons knee-keep in rushing water, he found some much-needed solace and inspiration. With fresh clarity and led by the desire to be challenged, the first songs for the record were created.

Ross then joined forces with longtime friends Andy Monaghan and Chris McGarry to complete the Fiskur sound. Focusing on more electronic sounds from Andy and the driving thump of Chris’ drums, Fiskur’s first record is an exploration into insecurity and the basic fears and hopes we all share in life. Ross’s songs take an honest look at how even at one’s lowest, we are still driven to change and grow.

The highlights on the new release in my ears are definitely ‘I Become Silver‘, ‘Servant‘ and ‘Emerger‘. The storytelling is particularly splendid here with the acoustic energy that fires through the speakers. The moody but vivid sounds put me in a reflective mood and is a welcome listen. This is a soulful artist who is such a talented artist.

‘Cold Hands, Burn Slow‘ from Fiskur is an excellent release from the experience singer-songwriter.

Stream the album here on Spotify.

Click here for the Facebook page.

Reviewed by Llewelyn Screen

Glasgow’s Playfio’s space odyssey journey on ‘Nameless Man’

Posted on 13 August 2020

‘Nameless Man‘ features on ‘Arcadian Resonance‘, and is the second studio album from Scottish band Playfio. They return with this spacey song with real heart that will have you watching all the way through.

‘Nameless Man‘, was ironically almost left off this album. After been given a second chance once Claude Etienne had worked his magic on the guitar, it’s inclusion was suddenly at the top of the list. Written by Rob Playford with Claude Etienne on guitar and the mix and master engineer was Adam Titmuss.

The album artwork, with it’s nod to the first album and Rob’s late Grandfather’s 1940’s Dance band Arcadia is artistically finessed by the fantastic film craft of Adam Stern. This is a band that take their time to make everything sound and look 100%.

‘Nameless Man‘ from Scottish band Playfio is like a soundtrack to a movie. The story of someone doing so much but ultimate nameless in the bigger scheme of things. Just like real life.

Stream this new track here on YouTube.

Click here for the Facebook link.

Reviewed by Llewelyn Screen

Scotland’s Constant Follower opens his heart and sends us valuable advice on ‘Set Aside Some Time’ (Official Video)

Posted on 5 August 2020

Constant Follower is a soaring ambient dream pop experimental folk group from Glasgow in Scotland. They are here with the new song called ‘Set Aside Some Time‘.

It’s always a good idea to set aside some time to get your mind right. You know that you need this as it will help you get over some feelings. Talking them out to dry and to move on with your life. Setting time to find yourself is absolutely vital and this is such an inspirational story of self-finding yourself from memories of youth, to now.

Constant Follower from Scotland are a chilled group who have brought us a little classic here. The journey of self-discovery is especially relevant during this traumatic time of upheaval. ‘Set Aside Some Time‘ is a terrific video and song that inspires us to fully find ourselves and not stop until we have done this.

Stream this new track here on YouTube.

Click here to stream via Spotify.

Head to Facebook to find out more.

Reviewed by Llewelyn Screen

Glasgow’s Carla J Easton brings her incredible energy and spellbinding style with ”Never Knew You”

Posted on 27 July 2020

Pop Music for Misfits is back with the always exciting singer-songwriter Carla J Easton on her new song called ”Never Mind”.

Carluke, Scotland is the home for the electric Carla J Easton who has been a member of the bands Futuristic Retro Champions and TeenCanteen. She is also currently is the keyboard player for The Vaselines while also pursuing a solo career, first under the name Ette and now under the name Carla J. Easton. Music is the heart and soul of this artist who’s vocals always makes you listen so close. She is so creative and her style is just a joy and filled with love.

”Never Mind” from Scotland’s high-rising talent Carla J Easton is about wasting time with someone that you really fancied. It burnt for ages but you know that now it is off your mind and you have moved on. You have seen through the curtain and they showed you a side you won’t be a part of. This is the coming out party and you are ready to accept everything and not let this consume you.

Carla J Easton impresses yet again and makes you appreciate her wonderful talent. Synth-Pop filled ”Never Mind” deserves to be in ears all over the world as it’s one of the most delightful listens you will hear this year.

Stream this track from one of the creative artists around on Spotify.

Reviewed by Llewelyn Screen