Fatale at McChuills - March 2026

Fatale l-r James, Euan, Oscar (top), Ben, Chris

Saturday nights in McChuills have been the source of much pleasure for me over the years. Old Nick DJ-ing behind the bar early on, DJ's taking to the decks later, playing (or attempting to play in a busy area!) pool, meeting friends, ending the night there after a gig at the Barrowland Ballroom ... It's a wonderful pub full of characters, behind the bar and on the other side. McChuills has soul and strong values. They know what is right and what is wrong. And they love music! Lots of old faces still regularly frequent the bar and the decks. 

McChuills the kind of pub you fall for, dream of and pine for. These days, visiting is more of a treat, but every time I visit I think of my old flat in Dennistoun and times where I'd wander in for a pint after work and stay for a few, or ... wilder weekends.

It's great to see that McChuills still attracts a variety of subcultures of all ages. I mentioned Old Nick (who was DJ-ing before Andrew Divine last night) above and his son young Nick has done a grand job of changing things just ever so slightly, to put on bands and club nights in the side room ... or Acid Arch. Wet Leg (old blog here) and David Holmes are just 2 of the names to have graced the stage through there.

Fatale were back to the venue where they played their first gig in May 2025 - still less than a year ago! The band hang out in McChuills regularly and both are a perfect fit for each other. Fresh/recovered from 3-date tour of Aberdeen, Dundee and Inverness with The Cords and a show with Warren McIntyre and James Kirk in Edinburgh the previous night, the 5-piece were gig fit. 

Taking to the stage at 10pm, Fatale blitzed straight into Moves You, their traditional set closer. It was a bold move and it worked a treat, the place was bouncing. This is a fuzzy punky pop gem with a glorious breakdown, before zipping back to full throttle. Exhilarating!

Fatale have improved every time I've caught them live since last summer; sound, performance and songs. New song Sugar Bowl was melodic with the duelling guitars sounding sublime. Own Embrace and Another Sunrise sound like old friends. I find myself half singing a-long, even though I've only ever heard them live.

A cover version of Buttermilk by Eugenius fitted like a glove. That guitar riff never got the credit it deserves. Winged Horse, By The Tide and September kept things going while allowing Fatale to show different sides to their natural instinct for melodies, guitar sounds and hooks. 

The rhythm section of Oscar (bass) and James (drums) keep things tight, while also driving the sound along, while the guitars of Euan and Chris (also backing vocals) carry the joy of youthful enthusiasm through chords, riffs, solos and the effects they use. Ben Robertson was born to be a front man - conducting band mates and crowd with his on stage moves. All have fantastic hair! 

Wired sounds like a potential single. While Jesus Christ most definitely will be at some point. Beginning with a warm Big Star-esque riff, the song then explodes into life and is like one big chorus, full of infectious energy.

Fatale seem to have a natural feel for songwriting. Their musical knowledge and taste comes across in the songs they have covered since I first caught them last summer. The confidence that comes from playing gigs and generating a buzz from them seems to be lifting them to new levels. Building on the solid foundation they had from the off with early songs like Moves You, Jesus Christ and Another Sunrise.

Speaking of which, the band are clearly taken by new song Saint Mungo - named after the patron saint and founder of the City of Glasgow. It's the title track of their debut EP that is coming out on a limited edition 12-inch. ORDER HERE

Coming on for an encore, Ben announced that this would be the last time they played their cover of The Velvets Femme Fatale, however given the reaction, I'd be surprised if that's the case! They should definitely keep it up their sleeves for their adventures outwith Glasgow.

The band ended as they began, with an even more super charged version of Moves You, starting with Ben crowd surfing, before their good friend Ben Brown took over and somehow managed to stay aloft! Great fun.

Keep an eye on Fatale's Instagram page for news of up coming shows.

Next up is a gig at The Art School as part of the multi-venue House Guest festival on 4th April. The festival also takes in Sleazys and The 1990 (formerly Broadcast).

Femme Fatale

Cover version of the month #111
Big Star cover The Velvet Underground

The Velvet Underground and Big Star are two majestical, mythical and magical bands that have influenced (and have been consistently highlighted by) Scottish bands like Orange Juice and Teenage Fanclub through to bands bursting on to the scene at present. 

Art-rock NYC cool, melodic vulnerability, quintessential guitar power pop and vocal harmonies. You could easily argue that the two bands stand as the ultimate patron saints to the Glasgow independent guitar pop scene. Throw in Love, The Byrds, punk bands like Buzzcocks, The Clash and Subway Sect and that's the bones of your top 10.

One song that links both of these legendary bands is Femme Fatale, written by Lou Reed and inspired by a throwaway Andy Warhol comment about Factory 'it-girl' Edie Sedgwick. New info for me - I always thought it was about (and for) Nico!

"Oh, don't you think she's a Femme Fatale, Lou?"

The Velvets recorded the song in 1966 and it was released as the b-side to Sunday Morning in December of that year and then as the third track on their debut album, the mind blowing The Velvet Underground & Nico in March 1967. It's an album that everyone with a vested interest in the history of guitar music seems to be magnetically drawn to as a teenager.

It's well documented that the album was a flop, entering the charts at number 199 upon release and then leaving the month afterwards. Check this excellent feature article by Scottish writer Grant McPhee for Into Creative.

McPhee takes a deep dive into the myth of The Velvet Underground and Nico, particularly around the sales figures, stemming from a famous quote by Brian Eno about the album only selling 30,000 copies in its first five years.

... everyone who bought one of those 30,000 copies started a band. Brian Eno

Enjoy Grant's blog. But back to Femme Fatale. Listening again, I can't help but wonder who (if anyone) Nico was thinking of whilst singing the song. Edie? Or herself? 

Here she comes

You'd better watch your step

She's going to break your heart in two

It's true

The Velvets recording is icy cool. Nico’s vocals are famously flat, off-key and the way she pronounces clown as clun at the end of the second verse is quite funny. Funny, but ridiculously cool!

She'll build you up just to put you down

What a clown

Almost 60-years on and The Velvet Underground remain a blueprint for independent guitar music. Femme Fatale is a prime example why. Short (2-minutes 39 seconds), seemingly simple, impossibly cool and utterly beautiful. Pop music can be both a hook and a heartbreak simultaneously.

Lou Reed's NYC drawl in response to Nico's rise for the chorus is sublime.

Cause everybody knows, (She's a femme fatale)

The things she does to me, (She's a femme fatale)

She's just a little tease, (She's a femme fatale)

The closing two lines of the chorus are left to Nico, over the chiming guitar riff. They are, for me, the two coolest lines of the song, sung as if Nico is in admiration of the girl she is singing of.

See the way she walks

Hear the way she talks

In the next verses, Nico (using Lou's words of course) is clearer about her warning. The guy is merely number thirty-seven in her book. She's from the street, so already has all the guys beat and is going to play you for a fool.

Alex Chilton recorded his version for the legendary Third/Sister Lovers album sessions. The Big Star version is stripped back and fragile. Chilton sounds like he is singing from the experience of having his heart broken by the femme fatale, warning others, yet still infatuated.

Big Star are in no rush here, everything is slow, the intro longer, it all feels darker, as if Chilton is barely holding it together. It's beautiful.

Others have covered this gem of a song too. Among them - I've just found the Duran Duran version ... and ... I'm not a fan! Teenage Fanclub covered it with tender care on the b-side of Ain't That Enough. And Fatale, who I have written about a number of times over the last 6-months or so, took their name from the song and recorded it as their first demo. The way the crowd sing-a-long with Lou's she's a femme fatale line at the Fatale gigs is incredible - like they are breathing new life into the song and turning it into an anthem.

Fatale - Femme Fatale (demo)

The Velvet Underground & Nico original and the Big Star cover of Femme Fatale are added to my Everything Flows Cool Cover Versions playlist on Spotify which also features all of the songs listed below. Search for the title or CLICK HERE

Previous covers of the month blogs

1. You've Lost That Lovin' Feelin' 

2. Going Back To My Roots

3. Nirvana play The Vaselines

4. Slip Inside This House

5. Top 10 covers by Teenage Fanclub

6. Only Love Can Break Your Heart

7. Time For Livin' 

8. Sound and Vision 

9. All Along The Watchtower

10. I Am The Walrus 

11. Guiding Star

12. You’ll Never Walk Alone

13. Hurt

14. This Guy's In Love With You

15. I Wish I Never Saw The Sunshine

16. California Soul

18. Wonder wall 

19. Dancing In The Dark

20. Always On My Mind

21. Ceremony

22. Heroes

23. Different Drum

24. Wild Horses

25. Respect

26. Mr Tambourine Man

27. I Heard It Through The Grapevine

28. Superstar

29. Twist and Shout

30. Purple Rain

31. Baker Street

32. Not Fade Away

33. Stop Your Sobbing

34. I Don't Want To Grow Up

35. Serious Drugs

36. Dancing With Myself

37. How Does It Feel To Feel?

38. Love Buzz

39. ABBA-esque
40. Jumpin' Jack Flash

41. Discoland

42. Varshons 2 by The Lemonheads

43. The Langley Schools Music Project
44. Witchi Tai To
45. Our Lips Are Sealed
46. Sunshine Of Your Love
47. Here Comes The Sun
48. I Think We're Alone Now
49. Don't Let Me Down 
50. It's Oh So Quiet
51. Alcoholiday 
52. Summer Holiday
53. Who Do You Think You Are?
54. Head On
55. Nothing Compares 2 U

56. Hey Jude

57. Seven Days Too Long

58. L.O.V.E Love

59. Into Your Arms

60. Heart Of Glass

61. Take Me To The River

62. We Can Work It Out 

63. Talking In My Sleep

64. Lola

65. Lost In Music

66. My Little Red Book

67. Isn't It A Pity

68. Walk On By

69. Walk Away Renee

70. Tainted Love

71. Girls Just Wanna Have Fun

72. Listen The Snow Is Falling

73. Mrs Robinson

74. He's Gonna Step On You Again

75. In My Life

76. Caravan Of Love

77. The Only Way Is Up

78. Dancin' Round & Round

79. With A Little Help From My Friends

80. Killing Me Softly

81. Ain't No Mountain High Enough

82. Drop

83. Sittin' On The Dock Of The Bay

84. Sympathy For The Devil

85. I Bet That You Look Good On The Dancefloor

86. Love Will Tear Us Apart

87. Indian Rope Man + bonus Strawberry Fields Forever + This Wheels On Fire

88. Can't Take My Eyes Off Of You

89. Love The One You're With

90. Cum On Feel The Noize

91. Addicted To Love

92. Valerie

93. Ride On Time

94. Let's Dance

95. It Must Be Love

96. I Fought The Law

97. For What It's Worth

98. Do Your Thing

99. I Just Don't Know What To Do With Myself

100. Don't Leave Me This Way

101. Shout!

102. God Only Knows

103. The Last Time

104. Bridge Over Troubled Water

105. How Can You Mend A Broken Heart

106. Louie Louie

107. Raindrops Keep Falling On My Head

108-110. I'm A Loser, Yesterday and Beware of Darkness 

111. So You Say You Lost Your Baby

112. Kelly Watch The Stars

113. Association

114. Some Velvet Morning

115. If I Had A Boat

116. Vapour Trail

Kerr Mercer - Terrified and live at The Attic

Kerr Mercer, a young Scottish singer-songwriter who is a real favourite of mine, played 3 sold out shows in the intimate setting of The Attic (upstairs in The Garage) at the end of last week. After a couple of years of solid touring; opening slots, support slots and his own headline shows, Kerr's been pretty quiet on the gig front for the last 6-months. 

The focus has been on writing and recording. Mercer released debut single Alcohol in November 2025. In a January blog I wrote; Alcohol is a belter of a debut. Stripped back, leaving plenty of room for Mercer's rich and soulful voice, telling the teenage tale of going out drinking and falling for someone.

Kerr has swiftly followed that with Terrified, that came out on Friday, hence he was determined to celebrate with these shows. Check the live performance video below. 

The way Kerr's voice rises for the chorus is spine tingling. It's quite something to see and hear this in person, when he leans back from the mic, eyes closed and just goes for it, lost in the moment. Beautiful. 

No-one loves me like you do

If perfect's real then you're the proof

I'm doing all I can to hide the truth

That I'm so terrified ... 

I enjoy following Kerr's progress on his Insta page, although keeping up with his stories can be hard at times! His humour and love for music, playing and writing comes across in every post. One story I was particularly struck by was a recent writing session with Max Martin in Sweden. Yes, that Max Martin - the songwriter/producer who has penned/co-penned hits for Taylor Swift, Kate Perry, The Weeknd ... 

Given the number of songs Kerr has been writing, I only recognised one (not including the singles) from the previous times I have caught him live. Opening One in a Million which contains this beautiful heartfelt hook.

Cause this thing about love, my love, it only has to work once

This thing about love, my love, it only has to hurt once

Terrified is set to be swiftly followed by Kerr's third single. One that has been doing well on TikTok after Kerr posted a video of him singing it in the shower, clearly loving the melodic and soulful chorus he has just written. Love Me Twice is set to come out this month. 2026 is set to be Kerr's break out year. 

Oh I'd go anywhere you are, so that you're not alone

We got something different and it just needs time

We can make this right

If you love me once, you can love me twice

There was a moving and also funny moment during the matinee show I attended on Friday (early shows are brilliant!) when Kerr asked the song to sing-a-long 'like this' and then sang. I laughed as I think I speak for most (if not all the crowd) when I say - we can't sing like that! But we sang-a-long regardless!

Mercer flirted between guitar and piano with ease, constantly thanked people for support and displayed a grounded humour that will stand him in good stead. Asking people how they found out about him, one said TikTok, another said 'yer Maw!' Brilliant Scottish humour that Kerr loved.

One song with Elton John-esque piano flourishes sounded excellent, while the trilogy of Love Me Twice, Terrified and Alcohol showed that people are really falling for Mercer and his songs. I look forward to seeing Kerr playing live again soon.

Never Ending Mixtape part 107

Welcome to part 107 of my Never Ending Mixtape!

The mixtape is hurtling towards the 5,000 landmark. I add songs regularly, with no thought to the flow or structure, unlike the mixtapes and CD's I would make in my younger days. 

As a result, my Never Ending Mixtape jumps from 4,759 to 4,802 with the addition of Oh Yeah by my sister - Carla J Easton. It's a burst of indie guitar pop in under 2-minutes, the first taster of her forthcoming album I Think That I Might Love You. Preorder a special Monorail edition with exclusive fanzine and bookmark. They describe it as ... a record of communal heart and power, cherry-red and glowing with life

I just noted that my Never Ending Mixtape is 10-years old in October! Should I put on a night to celebrate? My blog might reach 3,000,000 views around that time which is amazing.

Thanks if you are one of the 375 who follow the playlist, or if you check in on it (and my blog) from time to time. And welcome if you have just discovered both. I play my Never Ending Mixtape on shuffle regularly. 

As always, I hope you find something wonderful that you've never heard before, or that you rediscover an old favourite song.

You'll find a few of the additions listed below. 

Search for Everything Flows Never Ending Mixtape on Spotify or CLICK

Recent discoveries

Golden Hair by Slowdive

I Follow You by Melody's Echo Chamber

Faith/Void by Bill Callahan

Choose Drugs by Juliana Hatfield

Among the Leave by Sun Kil Moon

New releases

Starry Eyes by Radhika

Sirens Call My Name by Hen Hoose

Out of Control by Hen Hoose

Oh Yeah by Carla J Easton

Old favourites

Feel Flows by The Beach Boys

Northern Sky by Nick Drake

Skinny Love by Bon Iver

For Emma by Bon Iver

Start Choppin' by Dinosaur Jr

Nothing Really Matters by Madonna

Drowned World/Substitute for Love by Madonna

Lullaby by Carla J Easton

Talisman by Air

Jonny and BMX Bandits at FRETS

Friday 20th February saw me head through to the beautiful town of Strathaven to see Norman Blake and Euros Childs play a rare show as their side project Jonny. With Stu Kidd on drums, the trio released a self-titled album back in 2011, full of improvised stoned humour, gorgeous harmonies and melodies, and some genius songwriting.

6-years previously, I'd caught Norman and Euros play the Strathaven Hotel (blog here) under their own names, one of the last shows I caught pre-lockdown.  

FRETS has grown from strength to strength since then and Norman has a particularly strong affiliation and association with them, after all, FRETS founder Douglas McIntyre was responsible for forming Butler, Blake and Grant - who now have a second album coming out and they have toured all over.

Before Jonny, we had the joy of a stripped back BMX Bandits set. Duglas T Stewart on vocals and kazoo and Rory on guitar and harmonies. Joined by long term friend and collaborator Stu Kidd on drums and backing vocals for a couple of tracks.

Duglas was in fine form, mixing humour with emotional stories about wellbeing and the importance of friends. The set was largely similar to the Mono show they played earlier in the month, although the addition of Little Hands was one to warm hearts throughout the room. What a song! I appreciated it all the more after Duglas' warm reflection on the inspiration for the song. 

The Bandits were playing a show in Japan and Duglas was very taken by a girl dancing down the front. He turned to Francis on drums and said 'I'm going to marry that girl'. And he did! Duglas spoke very fondly about writing the song and how his wife Midori made such a positive impression on everyone she met upon moving to Scotland.  Sadly Midori passed away and Duglas highlighted how important it is have to places, items or songs to remind us of people.  

I hope Duglas and the current incarnation of BMX Bandits can play some full band shows this year. He has a fine catalogue of songs to dig into. The Sailor's Song was a stunning opener, the closing refrain of I could watch you dancing all night gets me every time.

Jonny were also full of humour with Euros cracking everyone up when saying that a mis-print on the dressing room sign (Jonny spelt with an 'h' - "Jonny don't do drugs, Jonny don't do H") nearly caused them to cancel the show. He then talked of steel drums going missing on the motorway.  

Elsewhere, their cover of Bert Jansch's Baby Blue was absolutely gorgeous, even if the complex chord changes required a restart - with Euros, Norman and Stu all buckled over laughing!

The trio played virtually the whole of their 2011 album, sadly missing Norman's exquisite Never Alone.

Highlights? Circling The Sun was beautiful, the joy of Euros and Norman singing and harmonising effortlessly is something I could listen to for hours on end. Stu also joined in on a lot of the songs, so we had 3 part harmonies - glorious!

Bread was gooey and warm, with Euros really going for it. Blake's Dark Clouds from the Fanclub's Shadows album was lovely, while my out and out favourite was Cave Dance. A fun rock n roll number that morphs into a psychedelic synth jam. I don't think FRETS had heard anything like that before!

Norman highlighted that they still intend to bring out their Joe Meek covers album and played Summer Without Sun, recorded by The Charles Kinglsey Creation, featuring one of the owners of the fabled Rockfield Studio where the Fanclub have recorded. 

Dep from Monorail was in the audience. I hope his ears pricked up as Norman highlighted that this mixed album is sitting unreleased and that they would love to bring it out...

Fools Creation launch at Mono

Fool Creations sell-out launch - photo by Mours (@visualsbymours)

Fool Creations is a new events and promotions company set up in Glasgow, with a focus championing music and art, merging legends with rising stars. Fool Creations is run and led by young Adam Graham, who I mentioned in a January blog where I introduced his band Supersun. 

Graham has an infectious energy and a desire to make things happen. Good qualities for an event organiser and every band needs someone with that kind of drive. His Cabbage nights at The Doublet are selling out in 10-minutes and I was delighted for Adam that his launch night for Fool Creations at Mono was a sell out. Thank you to the photographers for their wonderful photos.

The step up from The Doublet to Mono is significant. From 45 to 300! Adam put together an excellent 3 band bill - The Cords, BMX Bandits (acoustic) and Supersun, also choosing super cool DJ Holly Calder to spin records before, in between and after the bands.

Supersun by Div Barrett (@div_barrett)

Supersun's debut gig at The Doublet left a very positive impression, so much that I've been checking in on their Instagram page to see what they have been up to. The band were recently down in London recording demos (in Jack's studio), which, Adam highlighted to me in a chat, have turned out to be better than demos. I look forward to hearing them. 

While their Doublet show was a stripped back affair to suit the venue, last night saw the addition of a drummer and their sound flourished with that back beat and the larger PA that Mono offers. Their sound? Two chiming and jangling 12-string guitars, effortless and gorgeous family harmonies from Adam, brother Jack and sister Julia (also playing some great keys and string effects), cool bass lines from cousin Chris (definitely some McCartney-esque stuff in there) and cool beats by Harvey Haldane to back them up.

Supersun by Div Barrett (@div_barrett)

I mentioned a couple of Liverpool bands in my January blog on Supersun, and the pop and psychedelic qualities of Shack, The Coral and Cast came to mind again at Mono. Interestingly, while speaking to friends at the show, they felt the same. I look forward to seeing them again.

 Citrus Sun sounds like a natural single, while I'm a pure sucker for a song called Shine On. All of their songs are full of melodies and harmonies. The two 12-string guitars sound heavenly together.

Supersun setlist - Forever, Cream Tangerine, Citrus Sun, Go Up, Shine On, Boy and a Girl, Coco's Song.

Keep an eye on their Instagram as they might be releasing their London recordings in the next month or so.

Photo by Mours (@visualsbymours)

Duglas T Stewart is looking well. Accompanied by a guitarist (Rory), this was a super stripped back BMX Bandits set, although Duglas was quick to assure us that they would be playing full band sets later this year. 

Whether with a full band, or stripped to the bones, Stewart's charm and his ear for melody shine. Whether thanking someone for a funky and cosy pair of knitted slippers, or introducing each song with a little story, Duglas' love for music and people brings a warm glow wherever he goes.

Duglas T Stewart by Mours (@visualsbymours)

Bandits classics like The Sailor's Songs and Serious Drugs were welcomed by the crowd, however their song Foggy was possibly my favourite in their set on the night. Hopefully this stays in their set for full band shows. I'll be catching Duglas again very soon at their FRETS show with Jonny (Norman & Euros).

Could it really be

There'll never be a we

And I'm just kidding, myself on?

The Cords have had an incredible couple of years that led to the release of their eponymous debut album in September 2025. After a run of February shows with Fatale, they then head out on tour with The Charlatans in April. A great support slot and a huge opportunity to win new fans.

The Cords by Mours (@visualsbymours)

Eva and Grace have a natural feel for music; Eva's voice is super melodic and pure, her guitar playing is pop punk - three, four or maybe five chords, finding rhythm and riffs almost by instinct. Grace's drums can be primal at times, while there are plenty of colourful rolls at others to fill out the sound. Last night was the best I have heard Grace on drums.

With loads of songs under 3-minutes long (many hovering around the 2-minute mark), The Cords can fairly zip through a set. October is actually under 2-minutes in length, and the sisters might have raced through it in record time. The thrashy 3 chord punk guitar has a lovely innocent freshness to it. 

I'm Not Sad has a beautiful vocal melody through the verses, the chorus (at first) is simple and catchy ba, ba, ba, ba's and finally the title is sung a few times towards the end. Glorious.

I think I tried

But the time went by

And I, won't remember a thing

Well done to Adam for launching Fool Creations with such a busy, buzzy and brilliant night.

The next Fool Creations night is a Vinyl Party at The Rum Shack on Friday 27th March. Spinning records are Chris Geddes (Belle & Sebastian), Holly Calder, The Cords and Adam will also be DJ-ing. TICKETS

And hot off the press, their next night at Mono has Lung Leg, with support from Homework and Angel Face. TICKETS

The Cords at Fool Creation, Mono, by Mours (@visualsbymours)

Introducing Other People's Leisure

Other People's Lesiure came to my attention towards the end of 2025 via Instagram. A video of two people with a bank of electronic equipment, rainbow coloured lights and a silhouetted singer was captivating. The synth sounds were sublime and I found myself playing it a few times in a row.

The song was 1.30 AM Again, their debut single, the first in a trilogy that the band released in quick succession in October and November. Check them out on all the usual streaming/download sites.

A quick review of their singles to date;

1.30 AM Again is dreamy and hypnotic electro for the opening 60-seconds, with a banging beat, vocals and new synth sounds introduced at the 1-minute mark. It's a gem.

Na Lap feels beautifully chemical and clubby. At times there is a lot going on, at other times elements are dropped to leave the song floating, before synths, vocals and beats kick back in. Rather gorgeous. I'd have loved this in my clubbing days!  

Brevis Lux reminds me of Underworld - psychedelic and even a bit of a shoegaze element coming across in the effects on the vocals. I love the feel and production on this song. Trippy!

Other People's Leisure take their name from the legendary Trainspotting scene where Spud is encouraged by Renton to take a dab of speed before attending a job interview. The friends debate the dilemma of (a) not trying enough and getting his Giro taken off him, or (b) trying too hard and actually getting the job. The dab of speed does the trick!

Watch the incredible scene HERE

Enough about Trainspotting. I was keen to learn more about Other People's Leisure so fired them off a few questions. Check their answers below.

Other People's Leisure play Leith Depot on 5th March and The Hug & Pint on 13th March.

1. Who are you? Where are you from? And how and when did you form Other People’s Leisure?

Other People’s Leisure is Craig A. and Craig P. We’re based in Rosyth. We’ve known each other for about 15 years. Craig P. was in an indie band, The Draymin, with one of my (Craig A.’s) good mates. 

We started OPL properly in March 2024 after years of sharing music we love, gigging, and bouncing ideas off one another through various solo projects.

2. How do you create your songs and sounds? Do you jam or bounce ideas off each other? Or come with near finished songs?

It’s a mixture of approaches. We both use Ableton and are always coming up with new ideas. Craig P.’s ideas tend to arrive more polished than mine. We’ve got similar musical taste and tend to follow the feeling of something rather than forcing structure early on, then strip it back once we know what it wants to be. A lot gets removed rather than added. Craig P. is our lyricist, so he normally takes the lead on words. Since developing the live show, we’re planning to write the next batch of tunes on hardware rather than in Ableton.

3. Was there a moment when you both thought ‘yeah, we’ve got something here’?

From the moment we started working together it felt like it could be something special. The music, visuals and sound all seem to be landing emotionally with people, which has been really encouraging.

4. What kind of music are you listening to at present? Have any bands/artists in particular influenced you?

It changes constantly. I’ve been loving 1-800 Girls and a lot of lo-fi-leaning stuff recently. We both listen pretty broadly, but we’re drawn to music with melody that strikes an emotional chord. Anything that balances mood, rhythm and space tends to stick. Influences include Junior Boys, Bicep, Four Tet, Young Fathers, Ross From Friends and Maribou State.

5. When you think of Glasgow/Scotland and music, what comes to mind?

A strong tradition of people doing things their own way. Life was historically tough, and that’s shaped a certain resilience and honesty. We value that mindset and a strong work ethic, and we carry it into how we approach the band. I lived in the old Gorbals as a teenager, so Glasgow helped shape who I am, and that’s fully intertwined with music for me. Scotland’s music scene has always punched well above its weight internationally, and I’m proud of that.

6. You released a trilogy of singles in quick succession. What was your thinking behind that and do you have plans to keep releasing singles? Or are you working towards an album?

The trilogy changed a few times, and we had quite a bit of input from Red Jerry at Hooj Choons. He suggested adding vocals, which definitely elevated the tracks. We plan to experiment with different vocalists, and using Craig P. on Na Lap felt like a good way of showcasing another side to us. We’ve got around ten tracks at an almost-finished stage. They took a back seat while we prepped the live show, but we’ll start releasing those early next year.

7. You’re playing two shows in March. What can we expect from them?

A live set that’s very much its own thing rather than a direct playback of the records. Hardware, live vocals, visuals, and room for things to move. We love to jam, so if the room responds well, people might even get a 30-minute version of 1:30am Again. We’re playing on the bill with Glasgow’s PRZDNT. Two of his tracks made my Spotify Wrapped this year, so I’m really looking forward to his set as well.

8. Any other plans at present?

More releases, more live shows, and continuing to build things steadily. Hopefully some festivals lined up which we’ll be announcing in the new year.