Q&A - brownbear

We had the pleasure of catching up with brownbear this week. The Ayrshire artist released his second track of 2022 in the effortlessly catchy ‘Close Call’.

Your brand new single ‘Close Call’ drops tomorrow. It’s the second single of the year following on ‘One More Night’ released earlier this year. How good does it feel to be releasing music again?

It feels so good to have new music on the way. This is just the start as well. It takes a long time doing it independently but hopefully taking our time means that we deliver the best possible releases for our followers. I am really proud of this song as well, I feel it is really starting to capture what our Indie-Soul sound is all about.

Tell us a little about the recording process of your new music. What instruments do you play? Where do you record? Who else contributes to the record

I recorded the new record with Buzz Killer in between Glasgow & Paisley (JJ Recordings). From the start I wanted to set out and define what it meant to be an Indie-Soul act. The pitch from day one was to make a record that felt like the Miseducation of Lauryn Hill met Graceland by Paul Simon, whilst also staying true to our natural sound. For the most part, it is myself and Ross that play on the record but we had some excellent horns added by Mikey Owers.

‘Close Call’ has an infectious toe-tapping energy. The track is packed with soulfulness. Who are the artists that inspired your soul-tinged indie-pop sound?

I've always had such a mix of influences in my life. I think as a songwriter you do tend to draw from them all. Going into this record I was listening to a lot of Motown and a lot of Soul. I got really into Anderson Paak and how he fused genres whilst still staying in the commercial zone sonically. I wanted to do that with my own influences and backgrounds.

You’re running into a series of ‘Pay What You Can’ intimate acoustic shows across Scotland. Tell us a bit about that

For me, music is for the people. In recent times, it has become super expensive to see shows. Everyone should have access to music and times are tough so I wanted to try out a method of doing shows that could allow for people to have as much access as possible to see live music. There are a lot of music fans out there in the different communities in Scotland that currently feel alienated when it comes to music, it doesn't talk to them, it doesn't represent them. I want to bring music back to the community and back to the people.

What’s the one bit of advice you’d give to a musicians starting out in Scotland?

Be yourself, be proud of it and although it may take longer to get where you want to be than the artists that follow the trends, it will taste much sweeter when you do ge there... and you will.

And finally… your absolute number 1 snack you cannot live without

Oh, great question. I have just become vegan but I am also a huge chocolate fan, what a dilemma... So the addition of the new vegan Terry's Chocolate Orange Bar that tastes just like the original has been a godsend. I have definitely been over indulging.

Q&A - Megan Black

We are extremely excited to see Megan Black unveiling her new single Just For Fun tomorrow. An artist we have been following for a while and have been truly captivated with her remarkable talent. Following the success of her 2020 debut album ‘Deadly As The Woman’, Megan returns with another sensational addition to her catalogue. You can pre-save the new single Just For Fun here.

• Welcome Megan! For those who are new to your music, if you had to describe it in 3 words, they would be;

  Mad but Funky.

• Your single ‘Just For Fun’ drops tomorrow, tell us a bit about this tracks’ inspiration and your newly evolved sound.

  This track has really been inspired following my album, ‘Deadly is the Woman’. Looking back on the album, it’s very subconscious - I can now see things that I couldn’t at the time so this song is very raw for me. It’s me reflecting on becoming comfortable in my own coping mechanisms and it’s been really hard to look back at my younger self and the behaviours I developed (and am still working on) in that way. As for my sound, I want to continue evolving as an artist. I’ve met so many amazing people since releasing music earlier this year and I’ve just been very inspired to develop my sound and bring it to life.

• This new record is sounding remarkable and we can definitely hear the amalgamation of influences from across rock, jazz & blues.

  Do you have any heroes from these genres who inspire you? Jack white has been a really big inspiration to me recently - along with the likes of wet leg and wolf Alice. In terms of local artists, one that really sticks out is Scott Bathgate - he has a way of weaving genres better than anyone I’ve seen! I’ve also been lucky enough to play at the Howlin’ Wolf in Glasgow which is steeped in blues so maybe a mixture of all of those things!

• You were recently down in London for the Youth Music Awards and were nominated for 2 awards [huge congrats btw!]. Tell us a bit the connection with Youth Music.

  Thank you! I’ll probably never get over it, it was one of the best moments in my career so far! The team at Youth Music support young people (aged 16-25) in helping them build their career and gain more opportunities. They are so supportive and have helped me so much - both at the awards and by helping fund my next project. This is through their ‘Nextgen’ fund, I’d recommend anyone under 25 in the UK to check this out!

• What are you favourite things about the Scottish music sector and if you could change one thing about it, what would it be?

  I adore the Glasgow music scene right now and definitely think it stands to show how much change can be made - I’ve worked with the likes of Up2standrd who are based in Glasgow as well as playing many shows there and the level of appreciation for live music is so much better in my opinion. I think there’s so much talent in the Scottish music scene and my favourite thing about the scene is the support that’s given (from the Glasgow crowds/artist promoters mentioned) and the likes of BBC introducing, Popgirlz Scotland, We are here Scotland, and of course Resonate! It feels like doors are really being opened for artists to share what their doing and connect with people who love their music. If I could change anything, it would be to continue celebrating diversity. I want to see more people represented and i think the best way to do that is to give them a platform

• You’re stuck on a desert island with only a record player and ONE record… what record is it?

  This is such a hard choice but it would have to be ‘Stop Making Sense’ by Talking Heads. Every dance move of mine is based on this album. It can make me cry, find my inner wisdom, make me happy, and feel like I’ve taken too many drugs all at once.