In Scotland in 1980, punk had smoldered into nothing and people were disillusioned, gravitating towards the already bloated post-punk scene. We needed something to make us feel like dancing.
Without Alan Horne’s Postcard Records and their motto of ‘The Sound of Young Scotland’, the country would be remembered only for novelty acts and, regrettably, Rod Stewart.
Seminal bands like Orange Juice, Josef K and Aztec Camera found themselves trying to fight the odds that their location stacked against them. There was nothing else to do in Scotland, so people formed bands. Postcard gave them a hand in releasing their early records, which have gone on to influence (i.e, provide career-making rip-off fodder for) bands like Franz Ferdinand, The Cribs and The Rapture.
So, what is it today?
Whilst blood-curdlingly awful bands such as Glasvegas are being touted as saviours by over-excitable journalists, there’s an incrediblly vibrant scene here that will never resign itself to being boring.
Bands like Sexy Kids, The Lean Tales, Dirty Summer and North Atlantic Oscillation are spelling what it truly means to be Scottish musicians.
I interviewed two young bands who represent the most vital and vibrant music in Scotland today; Cancel The Astronauts and Crayons.
Cancel The Astronauts
What do you think it is that creates such diverse music up here?
I don’t think that musical diversity is exclusive to Scotland, I think you can find it in any country that has a vibrant music scene. Certainly though it is true that Scotland does create diverse music. Locally speaking, Edinburgh has a thriving and varied scene. Folk (or anti-folk) musical collectives like Bear Scotland and Fife Kills have a strong DIY and collaborative ethic, while indie-pop in the style that we do is also well represented by bands like Come On gang! and Kid Kanaveral. These are just two genres of course, but I could name more.
In Edinburgh there is a a great spirit of supporting each other and of trying new things amongst local bands, although I don’t think it’s widely supported by the general public. I think top quality publications like The Skinny also encourage musical diversity and they publish very broadly across the musical spectrum. Scotland has a great history of invention (in things like engineering, medicine and technology) for a small nation which can no doubt be applied to creative spheres as well.
What do you think the fan base is like here?
I find that in Edinburgh the fan bases of local artists are pretty small, though dedicated. It seems difficult to draw large crowds on a regular basis without relying on the goodwill of friends and other bands. My experience in Glasgow is that going to gigs is very much part of people’s lives, more so than in Edinburgh. In Glasgow people enjoy watching unsigned Scottish bands and gig-going is a habit and lifestyle. That doesn’t seem to be the case in Edinburgh. Mind you, that’s just my experience. We haven’t played much beyond these cities though.
Do you think being a Scottish band has helped you or does it make it harder for new bands to become successful?
I think that like anywhere, there are hubs to which Scottish bands are naturally drawn. We have had plenty of advice from people within the industry who say it is vital to get noticed in Glasgow, and to play the ‘right’ gigs for the ‘right’ promoters at the ‘right’ venues. Whether this is true or not I don’t know – we have never played any gigs like this! We have also been told to play in London and get noticed there, which is obviously difficult living in Scotland.
The internet of course is starting to change things. There are so many networking tools available now to Scottish bands that it is possible to bypass the normal route of ‘play the right gigs, get signed, become successful’ and promote yourself. Gigging more extensively is the real problem though, because bands still need money, time and support to tour widely, and that’s probably something that only labels can provide. I think you also have to define what you mean by ’successful’. It’s harder than ever now to become internationally recognized and financially independent because there is less money around, industry profits are falling and the competition has increased massively. In my experience though most bands just want to make and release the best music they can. Anyone can do that these days because you can build high quality studios relatively cheaply on a computer in a garage, and put songs on Myspace and distribute directly to fans. There are also plenty of fantastic and influential blogs who aren’t controlled by labels and industry professionals.
Crayons
What do you think it is that creates such diverse music up here?
These days there’s diverse music everywhere. In particular Glasgow, where bands like Orange Juice and The Jesus and Mary chain came from, is home to a diverse multi-culture and so the music that develops from this mixing pot is as diverse as the culture that the creators were brought up into.
Did you have any Scottish musical heroes growing up?
Belle & Sebastian
What do you think the fan base is like here?
Having never played outside of Scotland, I wouldn’t be able to give fair comment, though i imagine the same as anywhere else. Even though transport is much easier nowadays, there’s still quite a lot of work involved for Scottish musicians to travel and play, and this isolates us slightly.
Do you think being a Scottish band has helped you or does it make it harder for new bands to become successful?
I don’t think it makes a difference where you come from. if you play good music people will hear it and people will listen.
WORDS: RUTH URQUHART
