It’s been almost six months since my last interview with Sami Omar (Up2Stndrd), where our conversation centred around one key thing: infrastructure in Scotland’s hip hop scene, and building the systems needed for its talent to prosper.
As we return to our second interview, it feels like we’ve picked up on the perfect sequel to that conversation. The hype has been circulating, and it’s almost time for The BSMNT to open its doors.
Read MoreGlasgow is widely regarded as one of the UK’s pre-eminent arts and culture hubs. With Glasgow School of Art having played an important role in the careers of David Shrigley, Peter Howson, Sharleen Spiteri, and Peter Capaldi; Oasis getting discovered by Creation Records’ Alan McGee at King Tut’s; and numerous celebrated bands originating from the city, like The Fratellis, Primal Scream, and The Blue Nile, Glasgow has nurtured and produced some of the most recognisable names in the arts.
Read MoreFrom Fontaines D.C.'s very band name—where "D.C." stands for Dublin City—to their Ireland-themed stage logos featured at live gigs and the raw, unflinching poetry of their lyrics, it is impossible to miss how a city, a culture, and a country leave an indelible mark on a band and its sound. Every creative choice the group makes is rooted in the identity of their homeland, turning personal art into a love letter to the place that forged them.
Read MoreThe music industry throughout its history has gone through a variety of changes that have shaped how music can be performed, recorded and distributed. It has taken on many different forms throughout history. A large part of this is due to the digitalisation of key components such as musical formats and digital equipment.
Read MoreIt’s expensive to be in a band.
Rehearsal rooms. Studio time. Fuel. Food. Accommodation. Venue hire. Merch printing. Replacing strings every other gig. The capo you forget and have to panic-buy. The cable you double checked before the show - that dies mid-song. It all adds up.
Read MoreDisabled people have and always will contribute so much to society, including the music industry. There's a million and one ways to be an artist, and also even more to being disabled.
Read MoreNestled along Glasgow’s riverfront, the UP2STNDRD Studio, founded by Sami Omar, has become a vital driving force within Scotland’s hip hop scene.
Read MoreTotally Sound and Reel Youth Media are both Edinburgh-based youth projects that work in tandem, offering a wide variety of music-related opportunities to teenagers across the city.
Read MoreWhen you think of Scottish music what do you think of? Bagpipes, an accordion or perhaps a fiddle? Personally, I associate it with my younger years, having grown up in the Outer Hebrides where it is a key component of the community. Traditional Scottish music, or folk music, has long been an integral part of Scotland’s culture which needs to be both protected and promoted.
Read MoreBernera, an island in the Outer Hebrides, is home to a residential recording studio by the name of Black Bay Studio. It is one of few residential studios in Scotland, boasting an impressive roster of equipment and well-known clients.
Read MoreAfrobeats isn’t an import anymore - it’s part of Scotland’s sound now. Diaspora communities in cities like Glasgow, Edinburgh, and Aberdeen have brought rhythm, roots, and real momentum. But recognition still lags behind reality.
Read MoreNowadays, Scottish Indie Folk Music is like many other musical genres: directly at your fingertips. All you need is a phone and a music streaming platform. And whilst Scottish Indie Folk Music can be readily accessed, TikTok could be the application to push the genre into the spotlight.
Read MoreAs a city, Glasgow is lucky to have one of the strongest grassroots music scenes in the UK as well as a hugely diverse population from countless different backgrounds. With this in mind, this article is aiming to serve as a guide to some of the resources and tips that I found useful when getting started in the local scene leading up to my first show.
Read MoreEdinburgh Schools Rock Ensemble (ESRE) are an annually evolving band of just over twenty talented musicians drawn from secondary schools across the city. ESRE centres around performing a variety of rock and contemporary covers in venues around Edinburgh’s touring circuit including the Usher Hall, Summerhall and most recently, The Mash House.
Read MoreDundee is an artistic city- Anyone who’s been within a ten-mile radius of the place can attest to the fact. From poets whose work resides on the Canongate Wall, to video game designers whose work was banned altogether, to cartoon lads who sit squarely on top of their buckets, it’s no surprise that Dundee became the UK’s first UNESCO city of design back in 2014. But a facet of Dundee’s glimmering artistic qualities has been, and always will be, it’s affinity for music.
Read MoreImagine walking through the hallways of a school, hearing the harmonious sound of a live band practicing in the music room. For many students, this is more than just background noise; it's a critical part of their education and personal development.
Read MoreOn the Southside of Glasgow, The Glad Cafe brings music, events and plant-based food to the local people. But the cafe, bar and arts venue is much more than that. It is its own community, built with social conscience in mind.
Read MoreSet in the vibrant city of Norrköping, Future Echoes returned in March of 2024 in partnership with Wide Days and PITCH Scotland for a successful weekend of packed shows and informative panels.
Read MoreFrom sweat-soaked Saturday nights to laid-back Sunday afternoon open-mics, Scotland’s many pubs and clubs routinely play host to some of the brightest talent in the music industry.
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