Each week we feature a different Scottish artist on the blog including premieres and Q&A’s. Please check out some of the amazing Scottish talent we have discovered over the years.

If you would like to submit a track please get in touch 4 weeks in advance of the release - resonatescot@gmail.com

Featured
Q&A: The Rosellas
Q&A: The Rosellas

“I've had hours of conversations after the set with locals, talking all about the importance of Scotland to my family, and in turn learning more and more about the heritage of the country and its importance to them. I find it very soul affirming and will spend hours more continuing to do so.”

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Q&A: Aylee
Q&A: Aylee

“I hope that if anyone listens to Dressed Up and relates to the lyrics, they take it as a sign to step  back and reflect on why it resonates with them. I want to help anyone who’s caught in a similarly  toxic situation feel less alone and isolated. While yes, “I hate that all my friends were right” about my previous relationship, I’m incredibly grateful to be so far removed from it now, and able to look  back and see that they absolutely were.”

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Q&A: Spyres
Q&A: Spyres

“Touring is definitely one of the most exciting and rewarding parts of being in a band, so we’re absolutely buzzing to get back on the road. A lot of the cities on this run are totally new to us, which makes it even more special. We can’t wait to meet new faces and play in venues we’ve never stepped foot in.”

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Q&A: The Zebecks
Q&A: The Zebecks

“‘Persona’ is the closest we’ve ever gotten to merging the worlds of my poetry and songwriting as I am literally performing spoken word at the end. The vulnerability I tried to express in this song has definitely developed our songwriting as I now feel a lot more open within the band dynamic and this has led to more directed songwriting sessions where we all play a part in the construction of lyrics - knowing that The Zebecks is a really safe space surrounded by my best friends means I feel comfortable bouncing ideas directly off them in real time.”

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Q&A: Former Champ
Q&A: Former Champ

“Many of the songs on this album are about feeling displaced and some are even more directly about Irish Diaspora and Irish Politics. I think anyone who has moved away from their hometown can probably relate to a curiosity about the alternate life they could be leading. The larger concept of sliding doors and endless paths has been a key theme on the album and even informed its title.”

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Q&A: Dylan Winters & The Posterity
Q&A: Dylan Winters & The Posterity

“At first, I was quite particular with arrangements—I had a strong vision and the band helped me bring it to life. Lately though, I’ve been stepping back and letting everyone put more of themselves into the songs, and it’s honestly made everything better. Turns out if you let talented musicians do their thing, the music’s better for it.”

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Q&A: Maz & The Phantasms
Q&A: Maz & The Phantasms

“I think people love the freedom and the warm nature of these grassroots events. Glasgow especially is extremely kind and respectful, and it feels amazing to be able to throw a big party for your community where everyone can be themselves.”

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Q&A: Saint Sappho
Q&A: Saint Sappho

“I was listening through old demos and there was a melody Tammy had been singing along with the piano, she heard me playing it out loud and said "Wait. There's something in that" at first I didn't agree but she was persistent. That melody eventually became the verse of Floating. The moment we began writing the verse was what set the whole song in motion, and everything afterwards naturally progressed into a full song.”

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Q&A: Cowboy Hunters
Q&A: Cowboy Hunters

“One time someone told us that we reminded them of when Lady Gaga and Beyonce collaborated and we've been living off that high ever since. ”

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Q&A: Kirsteen Harvey
Q&A: Kirsteen Harvey

“Oh it’s absolutely amazing! I can’t believe it to be honest! I always find putting on headline shows a little scary, and I get quite nervous on the run up- but the response for the shows, and in particular the Glasgow date has been totally mind blowing! I think it’s going to be pretty special seeing so many people in the one room, who are there to see myself and my wonderful band, play tunes that I just wrote at home!”

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Q&A: racecar
Q&A: racecar

“By the time we came to write and record Pink Car, we were very fortunate to have raised enough money through a successful Crowdfunder campaign (thanks everyone!) to make some of the musical dreams we had for our songs come true. Graham, Lissa, Claire and Kenny (not to mention Aaron Morrison/ Catriona Price/ Gracie Brill!) are all fantastic musicians. It is always a joy to collaborate, most of all when people’s blend of skill and creativity means both realising an original vision and new, exciting elements appearing during sessions".”

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Q&A: PG Ciarletta
Q&A: PG Ciarletta

“For me there is a lot of hard work ahead, but a lot of things to be buzzing about. I would just say taking the music to the people and playing as many places as possible across Scotland and beyond. I just want to go and do what I am meant to do, which is release music, play shows, make content, be nice to folk and work hard.“

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Q&A: Katie Nicoll
Q&A: Katie Nicoll

“My emotions over my Poetry Club gig didn’t fully hit me until Sunday afternoon whilst watching back videos on Instagram. IT WAS AMAZING! The realisation that I’d packed out a room two hours away from where I grew up filled me with a new sense of pride over my music. I feel proud & soooo beyond grateful of the people that made time to come down and support, grateful of the boys in my band, and grateful of all my family and friends.”

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Q&A: Calum Baird
Q&A: Calum Baird

“Playing at the Biennial was superb.  The energy and buzz in the city was infectious and the support from the audiences and fellow musicians at my shows, even though we didn’t always share a language, was so important and helped me feel right at home. “

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Scottish Artists To Watch In 2025
Scottish Artists To Watch In 2025

New year, new bands, new obsessions. Scotland’s music scene is a constantly morphing beast, spitting out fresh talent, combing boundary-defying genres, with the raw energy that keeps the Scottish music scene constantly evolving. Whether you’re into massive indie anthems, left-field electronic experiments, or something that defies categorisation entirely, 2025 is shaping up to be another huge year for grassroots Scottish Music.

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Q&A: Pedalo
Q&A: Pedalo

“I was hyper aware that this was going to be a song that literally anyone can hear, forever, which was honestly a bit scary when it’s such a personal topic. But then the reaction to it has been really touching—I’ve had a fair few people say to me how much they relate to Lighter. Now I’d say it’s the song that I’m the most proud of”

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Q&A: Former Champ
Q&A: Former Champ

“Sometimes stuff just feels right, sounds right. But the mission statement for this band in a writing sense was definitely like Paul Westerberg and all the pathos in the Replacements tunes. These are pop songs first and foremost—they are never going to be perfect short stories like Raymond Carver or whatever—but they do start from that place.”

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Q&A: Odd Luke
Q&A: Odd Luke

“I think it hit me one day a long time ago that I was the only person who hadn’t heard my own voice, you know? It’s one thing to back other people and hide behind that, but I had all these weird little stories building up that just needed out, if nothing else just for me!”

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Q&A: Thundermoon
Q&A: Thundermoon

“It’s epic! We’re so grateful for the support. We’ve worked hard from the roots up, and every bit of recognition feels like a big achievement. Working with a local, musician-run project like New Teeth has helped us stay true to our values. Growing from here feels like a huge positive, especially knowing that these platforms resonate with our music.”

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Q&A: Nü Cros
Q&A: Nü Cros

" This year’s been an amazing year in terms of the shows we’ve been blessed to play, that includes Supersonic in Paris which was a fairytale in its own right. We’ve come a huge way as a band through it all."

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Check out our Resonate Artist of the Week Spotify Playlist here

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Q&A with Lewis McLaughlin

It’s been a fruitful year for Resonate showcase artist Lewis McLaughlin. We caught up with him to discuss his recent debut album success, his music industry pet-peeves and some exciting projects incoming for summer [including a possible slot of the worlds most famous music festival].

Lewis McLaughlin - you are one of Scotland’s most exciting folk artists who has music in his blood. Coming from a musical family how was that shaped you as a musician and songwriter?

My family are the reason I do what I do today. Being exposed to music from a very early age, I learned it like one might learn a language. It just comes pretty naturally to me. My dad plays guitar and my mum sings and writes so I’m basically a by-product of them! My folks have always been massively supportive of what I do and I have a lot to thank them for. In terms of my writing, my mum loves language and writing so growing up talking about and enjoying language definitely shaped my relationship to it. I count myself very lucky to have come from such a creative family. My brother Euan is also a full time musician, so working with him and seeing his career progress is really exciting.

That moment when you released your debut album, how would you describe that feeling in 1 word?

Overwhelming (in the best way (nervous laughter)

Listening to your debut album, there seems to be lots of different sonic influences coming from folk, traditional and jazz angles. Who are the artists that have most inspire your sound?

I guess coming from a background in trad music is a massive inspiration to my sound. I had a healthy diet of Dylan, Joni, John Martyn, Waits etc. growing up as well as loads of more Scottish folky bands such as Breabach, Mike Vass. My life changed when I first discovered Bon Iver, they have such an incredible mix of folk, pop, jazz and indie. I’m so inspired by the sounds they get, always keeps you on your toes! I think they are a massive influence on my sound still, as well as modern bands such as Sylvan Esso or Ben Howard.

‘Feel The Ground You Walk Upon’ was released on Monohand Records who also represent Fiskur and Jillorean. What is it like being part of a label family and how did this relationship come about?

I’ve known Andy for a while, through the scene in Glasgow. He’s worked with a bunch of folk I know. I took him some early versions of the album tracks back in December 2020, and since then the idea of an album slowly emerged. When we were in the process of making the record, he mentioned he was thinking about starting an indie label, and offered to put the record out on it. I’m so chuffed to be working with him and Jill and Ross make some brilliant music, I’m so pleased to be part of this wee community!

Debut album ‘Feel The Ground You Walk Upon’ available on Bandcamp

You performed as part of the Resonate Live showcase in 2021, how was that experience and returning to the stage after a tumultuous two years for the music industry?

Resonate was my first gig back with the band since 2019, so I was understandably very nervous. The band were rocking though and everyone at the showcase was so friendly and made us feel comfortable. I definitely was feeling pretty edgy on the build up to our slot, but as soon as the first note started, all of that went away, and I lost myself in the music! Such a nice event, I’ll be coming along next year too!

If you could change one thing about the music industry, what would it be?

I feel like artists are getting overwhelmed with social media at the minute. It’s a full time job to keep up a presence on all the different social media channels, and can end up burning you out a bit. I know I’ve had to take a step back from it all in the past because it got too much for me. Some people are more suited to using social media maybe, but still I think it’s at the point of becoming a problem, as the more you put up online for free, the more your art gets devalued. Don’t even get me started on Spotify…

What’s next for Lewis McLaughlin?

I have bizarrely and excitingly made it to the final of the Glastonbury Emerging Talent Competition, so me and the band will be heading to Somerset to perform at the live final at the end of the month. The whole thing feels very surreal, Glastonbury seems like something I would maybe possibly one day manage to find a way to play at, but I have a good chance this early in my career which is incredible! Apart form that, I’ll be at as many music festivals as I possibly can this summer, and just playing as much as possible. Keep an eye out on my social medias, I’ll be coming to a town near you soon!

You can grab yourself a copy of ‘Feel The Ground You Walk Upon’ on Bandcamp here. And make sure you follow Lewis on socials for all the latest announcements - Facebook / Instagram / Twitter.

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Resonate Artist Of The Week: Alannah Moar (Premiere)

We’re back and bringing you an exclusive premiere from the exceptionally talented Alannah Moar. Aberdeenshire born artist Alannah has enriched her songwriting working with the likes of Berta Kennedy & Gus Harrower and she has gathered glowing reviews from the likes of BBC Introducing’s Phoebe Inglis-Holmes, LOAF Magazine and more. Her latest instalment in a series of refreshing folk-pop records is awe-inspiring.

PRE-SAVE —> https://show.co/IaT7Hjl

‘Hoy’ is a song that pays tribute to both the power of intimacy and the incredible landscape of its namesake island. With layers upon layers of dreamy vocals, ambient synthesisers and sparkly guitars, it creates a powerful soundscape that captures both the whimsical and profound nature of intimacy; there is a magic to it in all its reverb and sparkle but Hoy is still purposefully rough around the edges. Lyrically it falls somewhere between KT Tunstall and Soccer Mommy. There’s an effortlessness and sincerity which does not go unnoticed - so bravo to Alannah.

The song has been five years in the making from writing to recording on to release, going through many drafts before reaching its final stage. Hoy is grown from the idea of the parallels seen between Alannah and her partner and how the beautiful hills, valleys, coves and cliffs on the island had been weathered and sculpted by the wind, the sea and the passage of time into something incredible.

Hoy is out this Friday and features Matthew Alexander on both acoustic and electric guitar, Robbie Nicol on drum-kit and Fraser Dunn on bass guitar. Mixed and mastered by Chris Kenny of 88K Productions.

Mark Piasacki of Northhold Photography

Follow Alannah across socials on Facebook, Instagram & Twitter and be the first to hear about new music.

PRE-SAVE ‘HOY’ —> https://show.co/IaT7Hjl

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