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
Check out our Resonate Artist of the Week Spotify Playlist here
Resonate Artist Of The Week: Josie Duncan
We had the honour of catching up with singer, songwriter and all round incredible artist Josie Duncan this week ahead of their debut album release on 26th August. The Isle of Lewis born and bred artist now resides in Glasgow where she’ll be celebrating her album release with a headline show at The Glad Cafe on September 9th, you can grab a ticket here.
This stunning release touches on Josie’s experiences as a neurodivergent person navigating their way through life and relationships in their twenties. Duncan’s effortlessly honest and authentic songwriting casts an aura of experience far beyond her youth - without doubt cementing herself as one of Scotland’s most exciting young musical prospects.
Your debut album As The Moonlight Melts is out tomorrow. Tell us about the process of writing & recording this sensational body of work
In 2021, I got the chance to perform a ‘New Voices’ at Celtic Connections. This provided me with the opportunity to choose musicians for a brand new project. I loved working with this new group and after this performance, I knew I wanted to make my debut album alongside them. I also met my producer Krayg through this project, who was playing keys and synths on the gig.
You hail from the beautiful Isle of Lewis in the Hebrides, what was the musical scene like growing up? How did it inspire you?
I feel so lucky to have grown up in such a beautiful place, as well as such a musical one. The island has a really special and nurturing music scene and it was exciting to be a part of that. We all spurred each-other on. Having grown up surrounded by the sea has definitely impacted my writing, I find I am drawn to water when creating metaphors.
The album features an impressive cohort of sessions musicians including performers from Admiral Fallow & Skipinnish. How did these connections come about?
Honestly, I just got in touch and asked my dream musicians for the sound I wanted to create. I thought that if even some of them said yes, I’d be cooking with gas. But cut to and now every single one of them is on my album! I am a jammy Josie.
What track is your favourite from the album? Why?
That’s really hard to say! They are all so different from eachother. Maybe ‘Be Around’ which was the first single. The lyrics are pretty raw but the melody is upbeat. To me this represents being on the struggle bus but keeping on going. My producer and I also made sure the arrangement represented the constant distractions life provided. (Especially for an ADHDer like me) and towards the end of the track it descends into chaos. This was so fun to work on.
Tickets are on sale for your album launch at The Glad Cafe in September, what can people expect from a Josie Duncan live show?
People can expect a lot of pink, a delicious band and plenty for of sad girl bops. Maybe even some happy ones for good measure! I’m so buzzing. It’s going to be a party!
You’re hosting a dinner party for 3 of your musical heroes. Who are you inviting along?
Oof. That’s a tough one. I’ll go for Joni Mitchell, Regina Spektor and Ella Fitzgerald!
Debut album As The Moonlight Melts artwork
Pitch - Scotland's Conference Of Hip Hop and Underground Culture
Taking place across Glasgow’s East End this weekend, Scotland’s Hip Hop & Underground Culture conference, Pitch returns [formally known as H.A.N.G] with an impressive education programme and equally impressive live lineup which includes the likes of Lotos, MC Salum, Aiitee and Cardiff’s Mace The Great. We caught up with the latter this week to chat all things Pitch, collaboration and more.
You’ll be gracing the St Lukes' stage as part of the upcoming PITCH event, what can we expect from a Mace The Great performance?
Its the first time I’ll be performing in Scotland so you can expect a mad performance with a lot of energy!
Do you think PITCH could spark more Scots / Welsh collabs? Is there a Scottish artist you’d love to work with?
PITCH can deffo spark Scottish and Welsh collabs I’ve actually started working some stuff with a Scottish artist called BEMZ.
You’ve been a key voice in campaigns to support grassroots venues both across Wales and beyond as part of Independent Venue Week. How important is it that we come together and protect grassroots venues across the whole of the UK? How can we do that?
It’s vital grassroots venues get support all across the UK as they are usually the first venues to show support to artist! I think the way to do that is simply to continue booking local up & coming acts.
1 lesson you’ve learned [good or bad] that you would share with aspiring artists
Whenever you get that gut feeling about something, trust it!
Take advice and constructive criticism but always trust your own judgement.
Mace The Great
Aiming to celebrate and empower members of the hip hop and underground communities, Pitch Scotland's all-day event of performances, discussions, workshops and networking opportunities will culminate in a live showcase at Saint Luke's. Success in hip hop and music culture across regional, national and international contexts will be explored in a panel discussion hosted by Kwame Safo of new talent funders the PRS Foundation. LOTOS, who's performed with global giants including Nas and Lauren Hill, will offer insight alongside producer/engineer Marrik 'Marrik Mixed It’ Shearer (Nines, Knucks, Busta Rhymes), Martyn Flyn of Glasgow-birthed, globally respected LuckyMe Records and Henca Maduro, cofounder of Pitch Scotland partners New Skool Rules (NL), Europe's biggest urban music conference.
Aiming to empower members of the hip hop and underground communities with the knowledge, skills and networking opportunities to progress their careers, Pitch Scotland will unlock the mysteries of funding in a workshop at Many Studios with Jamie Houston of conference partners Creative Scotland and the PRS's Kwame Safo. They will also take part in a subsequent ‘Meet The Industry’ event, where conference-goers can book one-to-one meetings with industry professionals, such as FOCUS Wales Programme Manager Sarah Jones, Henca Maduro (New Skool Rules) and Pitch Scotland organisers Richy Muirhead and Alana Hepburn.
Day-time registration is free, and evening passes are £5 available from Eventbrite. Don’t miss out on what is sure to be an incredible day of learning, networking and scintillating talent. Tickets available at https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/pitch-scotlands-conference-of-hip-hop-and-underground-culture-tickets-341753823887