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
Q&A: Peach Crumb
“Probably to not let the fear hold you back. I spent a long time sitting on music and it feels so cathartic to finally release. What do you have to lose apart from the regret of not doing it.“
Peach Crumb, named after an anagram of singer Becca Murphy’s name (minus the Y), are a pop-infused outfit based in Glasgow, Scotland. Becca started Peach Crumb as a solo project in late 2021, transitioning into its current form in early 2023 adding three further members; Aidan McAllister, Daniel Blake and most recently Ross Coulter.
As well as two hugely successful headline shows at The Old Hairdresser’s and King Tut’s in Glasgow, the band are active in the Scottish music scene in multiple ways, Becca recently curated Hybrid festival, a DIY, non-profit festival held at Drygate Brewery, which Raised £1500 for the participating artists and their chosen charity, as well as co-founding ‘Treacle’, a creative collective filming live sessions and music videos, alongside Peach Crumb members Daniel and Ross.
A month on from the release of their second single ‘NBDY’, we caught up with the band to hear all about the track, their favourite Scottish artists at the moment, and future plans.
Tell us all about your latest track 'NBDY', what inspired the song/lyrics?
Becca: I wrote 'NBDY' many years ago while I was still studying. I felt very out of control of situations in my personal life, was struggling mentally and felt extremely lonely and lost. Writing the song for me served as a reminder that no matter what, I’ve got myself. In life there are many things you don’t have control over. So it’s up to you to take charge of how you respond and how you comfort yourself in those moments. Be soft with yourself as life will continue to have its tough periods.
'Keeping Busy' was written a few years after 'NBDY,' they're like little time capsules of how I was feeling at different periods of my life. They both offer sad pick-me-ups in different ways musically and in their vocal translation. It’s nice to look back at how much I’ve changed since writing them and how the new songs we are working on will continue to show this progression.
Which Scottish acts are you enjoying listening to at the moment? And who do you think could become the next big thing in Scotland/the UK/internationally?
Becca: Really enjoying Theo Bleak, been a huge fan since their stmartiins era. Junk Pups, Kilgore, Taahliah, Zerrin, Dutch Wine, Cloth, Ruby Gaines, Sebastian Swarm and Harvesting. I could go on but I’ll stop! I feel music is so unpredictable with who will be the next big thing. I’m loving all the music that is coming out of Scotland right now and hope everyone gets the recognition they deserve. It’s great to see that happening to a few artists already, but we truly do have an abundance of amazing artists here, it’s exciting.
Aidan: Joy Hotel, Declan Welsh, and Corto Alto!
Danny: I’ve had both The Zebecks and Fairways on repeat over the past year or so, they’re two absolutely brilliant local bands. Theo Bleak, Parliamo, Declan Welsh and Brogeal have all been killing it recently as well, great to see Scottish artists like them starting to get some exciting opportunities.
Do you have any advice for upcoming artists in Scotland, what would you tell your younger selves to help them navigate the industry in 2024?
Becca: Probably to not let the fear hold you back. I spent a long time sitting on music and it feels so cathartic to finally release. What do you have to lose apart from the regret of not doing it.
Aidan: Work Hard and Have fun.
Danny: Go to as many other small local artists gigs as you can.
Tell us your three desert island albums.
Becca: Ahh this is very difficult :( Clairo - Infinity, Lana Del Ray - Born To die, Radiohead - Ok Computer and if I could be very cheeky, Marina and The Diamonds - Electra Heart, Alex G - God Save Animals, Panic! At The Disco - A Fever You Can’t Sweat Out, and Kacey Musgraves - Golden Hour. Sorry, I’m soo bad at these questions haha!
Aidan: Songs for the Deaf - Queens of the Stone Age
Danny: Rumours - Fleetwood Mac. Songs for the Deaf - Queens of the Stone Age. Is This It - The Strokes
If you could collaborate with anyone on future music, who would it be?
Becca: I’d love to collaborate with Theo Bleak and a huge dream would be Clairo!
And finally, what can we expect to see from Peach Crumb throughout the rest of 2024?
Becca: We’ve been working away at our live set and new tunes. So releasing more music, playing live, developing more as a band and connecting with those who have shown love to our recent tracks!
Aidan: Development and progression.
Follow Peach Crumb here.
Join us at Resonate 2024 on the 28th November at Platform, Glasgow. Final Early Bird tickets are still available and close to selling out! Click here for tickets.
Q&A: Lo Rays
“Obviously, it’s key to have goals you’re working towards, but if your focus is solely on trying to reach those goals, the fun of creating, writing and performing, can be lost. And when that joy is lost, the art suffers. So, if there is anything that is stopping you from fully enjoying your journey and making art – figure out what it is and work on it.“
Photo: Lucy Cheyne
Lo Rays started their summer by releasing a collaboration with fellow Scots Anchor Lane and supporting them on their sold-out headline show at King Tut’s. Earlier this year, they went on an independent UK headline tour, with a sold-out show in Glasgow’s McChuills. Their most recent single ‘Forget Myself’ received radio play from Alyx Holcombe and Nels Hylton on BBC Introducing Rock on Radio 1.
Gearing up for the release of their next single ‘Freak’ (out tomorrow), we caught up with front-woman Laura to hear all about the band’s 2024 plans, ‘Freak’, and desert island albums.
Tell us about your new track ‘Freak’ dropping on Friday? Laura, you have been creating the band’s music videos since your last release ‘Forget Myself’, how has that added to the dystopian world of Lo Rays?
‘Freak’ is definitely the heaviest song we’ve released so far; it has an industrial vibe to it. Me and our guitarist Scott co-produced the song with Blair Crichton from Dead Pony, who also mixed and mastered the track.
‘Freak’ is for anyone who has been discriminated against or laughed at for being different. It’s about being unapologetically who you are, giving your haters a show and giving them something to look at. I can be quite an insecure person sometimes and writing lyrics like this is my way of embodying the confident person that I want to be.
In all honesty, I started making visuals due to lacking the funds to hire a professional. But I found I quite enjoy it too! Learning 3D animation has really expanded what we can achieve visually as a DIY band.
Which Scottish acts are you enjoying listening to at the moment? And who do you think could become the next big thing in Scotland/UK/internationally?
There are so many great acts coming out of Scotland at the moment. We absolutely love what North Atlas, newshapes and Anchor Lane are doing. We are also obsessed with Calva Louise and VUKOVI, and hope that they are the next big acts in the UK music scene!
Do you have any advice for upcoming artists in Scotland, what would you tell your younger selves to help them navigate the industry in 2024?
I would tell my younger self to be more patient and enjoy the process more. Obviously, it’s key to have goals you’re working towards, but if your focus is solely on trying to reach those goals, the fun of creating, writing and performing, can be lost. And when that joy is lost, the art suffers. So, if there is anything that is stopping you from fully enjoying your journey and making art – figure out what it is and work on it. I’ve had therapy for my music-related anxiety and I’m still trying to figure out all this myself, but for me, it has been important to learn how to avoid perfectionism. And how to push myself without being too hard on myself.
Tell us your three desert island albums.
Arcane Roots – Blood & Chemistry
Bad Omens - the Death of Peace of Mind
The 1975 – A Brief Inquiry into Online Relationships
If you could collaborate with anyone on future music, who would it be?
Honestly, any of the artists we mentioned above. We recently collaborated with Anchor Lane on a track called ‘Sychophant Disorder’, which was awesome! We got to play it live too at their headline show at King Tut’s.
If I could have anyone in the world on a song, I absolutely love Charli xcx, and it would be the most iconic mash of genres.
And finally, what can we expect to see from Lo Rays throughout the rest of 2024?
At the moment we are working on our next EP, but in the meantime, we have a few single releases planned for the rest of the year. Next week we are celebrating the release of Freak in Edinburgh, at Legends 12th July with KURO. On September 28th we are co-headlining Slay in Glasgow with newshapes, this will be our biggest headline show to date and we are very excited!
Join us at Resonate 2024 on the 28th November at Platform, Glasgow. Final Early Bird tickets are still available and close to selling out! Click here for tickets.