Scotland’s Rising Female Grassroots Artists
Scotland’s Rising Female Grassroots Artists: Ally Douthwaite sits down with Leah of Daydrunk and Corin
Words by Ally Douthwaite.
The Glasgow music scene is mental. You can walk from venue to venue, Sleazys to classic grand, broadcast to Stereo - every other night bands from all of the UK fight to get onto Glasgow stages to perform to friends, family and fans.
Glasgow music scene has never been busier. But less discussed and often less appreciated are the girls behind Glasgow’s music scene. Although the lineups are busy, they don’t happen to be as busy for Glasgow’s up and coming female artists. So what more can be done to support the girls of Glasgow? Sitting down with 2 of Glasgow’s up and coming female artists, I asked about their take on the industry, their thoughts and feelings and what organisations have supported them through their journey in the Scottish scene. Although only 2 artists were spoken to, a full article by the Skinny named “Meet the Women levelling Scottish musics playing field” features 3 more interviews along with a list of many of Scotland’s female / non binary artists.
Sitting down with Leah Batty of Ayrshire based Band “Daydrunk” Leah, the front woman helped form the band in 2020. DayDrunk, from Prestwick revolve their music around the genres of alt rock, indie, punk and grunge.
Leah states, “I’ve always dreamed of playing music since I was a little girl, it’s something I always knew I was going to pursue. I love writing music, being able to channel my emotions and put them into songs that people can connect with on emotional levels.”
“Starting the band was the best thing that ever happened to me, but was also very intimidating. Being a female fronted rock band can be quite scary in this day and age still. “
I asked Leah wheat she had meant by that, what experiences she had been through as a women within the industry / what advice could she offer to younger girls who have just began their journey.
“As much as I love what I do i’ll always question if it’s right for me, if I have the raw voice for rock music and if I can compare to other male fronted rockers in the industry. Everyone judges themselves, but sometimes it really does get hard. “
“I’ve never had hellish stories that have scared me away from my dream, I don’t think anyone could ever stop me from doing what I do. However, I have played gigs were i’ve been faced with people whether they are musicians and performers themselves, sound engineers, promoters or any other job in the industry that have made me feel less than what I am. Sometimes being a girl feels like i’m not taken as seriously as other male musicians. “
“I’ve faced not only sexist comments but also derogatory words against my sexuality. I’ve had people laugh at me for singing about girls in my songs many times, also called some words I would never want to repeat. It gets tough out there.”
“One thing I can say though, is it only makes me want to be better. Sometimes the nastiness is empowering, even though it’s never meant to be it always helps to channel it into what you’re doing“
Leah’s resilience is inspiring, as it’s a tough industry for all musicians, but specifically there are challenges that women in the coke across that their male counterparts might not. When asked on a more positive note about the band,
Leah Replied, “We’ve recently been gigging more than ever, playing iconic stages such as King Tuts and SWG3 and even getting air time on BBC Introducing which is insane to us. “
“The good always outweighs the bad. If you have a dream and a desire to achieve never let anything stop you. I’ll never go through anything alone cause i’ve got my three best mates behind me at all times, that I will forever be grateful for. No matter how hard it gets or how badly you’re pushed do not give up, we need to be heard! Play that guitar as loud as you can, scream into that mic with all the lung power you have cause nothing will ever or could ever stand in the way of a dream.”
Leah and her band DayDrunk released their new single “Cardigan” which is available to stream on all streaming platforms now! So to all the girls wanting to get into the industry, there are many amazing organisations which focus on highlighting female/ non binary artists such as QueenzSounds, that are now a registered charity. HenHoose which is a female led songwriting collective, Morlich Music that specifically focus on putting on women lead lineups, girls do gigs and popgirlz Scotland.
Next up is 17 year old Corin from central Scotland that draws her inspiration from a broad range of genres, she’s inspired by artists such as Rosie H Sullivan, Hozier and Lizzy McAlpine with her debut EP on the way for later this year!
When asked about what advice Corin has for new artists, Corin states “ To new Artists I would 100% say to start a team around you - When you’re at gigs speak to as many people as possible to create connections and relationships with promotors etc.”
“Also to find other small artists like yourself and be their biggest fan, supporting each other is absolutely the best way to do it and creates a really encouraging community that will ultimately give you so many more opportunities.”
As women within the industry, starting out or already leading an established career, there are women all over the industry in different sectors. You may sometimes feel alone, but know that you never truly are.
To conclude, Scotland's vibrant music scene offers a wealth of opportunities for aspiring artists. Its rich with supportive music communitys and provides a nurturing environment for musicians to start their careers. From local gigs in Glasgow to renowned festivals such as TRNSMT, there are plenty of platforms for artists to showcase their talents. So, if you're a budding musician in Scotland, don't be afraid to take that leap and pursue your passion. With hard work, determination, and the right support, anyone can make it in an impossible industry.