Q&A: racecar

This week on our Artist of the Week Q&A, we caught up with Izzy from Scottish alt-pop band racecar to talk about their latest album, Pink Car—a bold fusion of nostalgia, coming-of-age themes, and genre-blurring sounds. With festival-ready anthems like Zephyr and Fall Leave, the album expands on their signature style with a fresh, dynamic energy. As they gear up for a packed live schedule and an album launch show, racecar is set to make 2025 their biggest year yet.

Check out our Q&A below:

1. Congrats on Pink Car! With 13 tracks, what inspired the longer tracklist? Was it tough pulling so many songs together?

Thanks very much! What a time to be alive! We initially sketched out 11 tracks but, as they were taking shape, we realised that we only had two or three ‘single-y’ tracks that followed a more traditional song structure and that this was not ideal for our pop album. We very collaboratively wrote Got You Into It and Fall/Leave and that gave us spooky 13, after which we steeled our nerves and went into the studio, ready to drop maybe Nightshow or Inevitable to leave us with a less terrifying number of tracks but in the end we loved everything so 13 it was. Pink Car spits in the face of the Devil. 

2. Pink Car blends alt-pop with nostalgia and coming-of-age themes. Who influenced the album, and how does it differ from your previous release Orange Car.

We all grew up together and, reflecting our own ‘coming of age’, used a lot of sounds that sandwiched the millennium and would inspire nostalgia for us. There are elements of dance music, pop punk, indie pop and even a light spicing of nu-metal. We all have a pretty wide-ranging taste in music but love artists like Sylvan Esso, Talking Heads, ABBA, Lyrics Born and Carly Rae Jepsen, to name a random assortment. 

The two albums were written very differently. Robin brought most of the tracks on Orange Car to us in a half-formed state and we hammered them out over a very intensive fortnight whereas Pink Car was a far slower and more collaborative experience. The result of this is, we think, more considered and diverse songwriting but with more coherent musical/narrative concepts and threads tying the album together as we were often pushed to discuss and consider what we were actually writing. We had a lot of fun and hope that the listening experience reflects that.

3. Zephyr captures the magic of possibility and that electric walk home after a life-changing night. How did you channel that feeling into the song’s sonic choices?

Zephyr was one of the first songs that we floated for this album. Mason had an old chorus from years ago that didn’t have a home but felt like a bit of a mantra about change and future possibilities. Building off that idea, we used big rolling drums/bass and trad instrumentation to, ideally, bring out a fundamental feeling of awakening. The chorus/verse structure then gives way to this enormous, building crescendo with strings lifting everything up (but in a kind of spooky way) and the vocals split into this almost chanting incantation… This euphoric energy drives the song to its climax and, to us, the musical choices make it feel like a spell has been cast and things will never be the same again!

4. With contributions from Graham Coe, Lissa Robertson, and the Lethams, Pink Car feels both expansive and intimate. How did these collaborations shape the album’s maximalist sound?

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.

racecar usually chases a big sound and having the opportunity to throw real strings and brass at these tracks enhanced them so much. This applies to all of our studio time spent with Jamie Martin and, in this time where the cost of studio time competes with earnings as independent musicians and access to home-recording equipment, the opportunity to spend an extended period in the studio felt incredibly special. 

5. You’ve described the album as a “kaleidoscope pop odyssey” — which track best captures that energy? Any standouts that bring the album to life?

This description and descriptions like it have kind of haunted us since people began writing about our music. I forget who first described us as kaleidoscopic but we just roll with it (like a car) at this point. 

I feel that part of this ‘magical mystery tour of genres’ label comes from the fact that we are presented as a band and bands are maybe more expected to have a uniform sound, whereas for solo artists it is more understood that their sound can change throughout an album (think of the mix of sounds and influences on an album like Lemonade by Beyoncé). On Pink Car, we were just writing songs under the umbrella of pop, which is itself such a broad term that it can mean anything really. That said, we do want our albums to feel like coherent bodies of work so hopefully Pink Car feels a bit more like an album experience!

Remains is a good one-track example of how the album as a whole flows through moods and energies, but standout tracks in that context are probably Fall Leave and the way the opening four tracks run together, particularly The Big One into Zephyr

6. You’ve got a busy summer with Knockengorroch and Kelburn Garden Party! Which Pink Car songs are you most excited to play live? Any fan favorites making the setlist?

Zephyr has always been a festival-shaped tune for us so it will be exciting to see whether that lands. Inevitable has been an amazing track to play with our extremely talented live band (shoutouts to them) so that will be pretty huge. Otherwise, Got You Into It and Fall Leave were written to be ‘live’ tracks so they ought to bang. Fan favourites would have to be SALT (it’s a really incredible feeling hearing people singing along to every word!) and Better Than You Know from Orange Car. We also have a very heavily tweaked cover of The Way You Make Me Feel that’s a bit of a peak. 

7. At these festivals, are there any artists you’re keen to catch?

Scanning the posters, some highlights ought to be- Mandidextrous, Vandal,General Levy, Dub Pistols, TAAHLIAH, Dolphin Boy. Plus our pals Yoko Pwno, Nem And Lewis, Accident Machine, Man Of Moon, Mickey 9s, Puppy Teeth, The Micro Band, Nipples Of Venus and anyone else we’ve forgotten!

8. Edinburgh’s music scene is buzzing right now. Any local artists you'd recommend or Scottish acts that inspire you?

Here are our favs- Dr Salad, Yoko Pwno, Scarred Lip, Nama Kuma, aww, Crush Mouse, Sean Choon & The Prawn Monsoon, Black Talon, Bütter, Dani Sonder, BARON, Mistral, Raeburn Brothers, rEDOLENT and Zoe Graham. Listen to them all and expand ya mind.

Plus SHEARS will be playing the support slot at our launch on May 23rd at Stramash so check her out!

9. Since forming in 2021, what have been the band’s biggest highlights so far?

Releasing both albums; playing with truly incredible musicians/people; bringing our drummer back from England; dressing up as Giant RACECAR for our Halloween gig; going to the Wing Sing Inn in Edinburgh for the best chinese food in town; recording and releasing our Christmas Special this year (available on YT); all getting girlfriends and some of the amazingly positive responses that putting our music out there has inspired!

Highlights to watch out for include his year’s mainstage Kelburn slot so see you there!

10. With Pink Car kicking off 2025, what’s next for racecar?

We are starting 2025 united with the best musicians (and pals) we could ask for, two albums’ worth of bangers in the back pocket, and four actual (reasonably fast) cars between nine band members. The road is smooth, the tank is full, and the only way is up!

Catch racecar at their upcoming album launch at Stramash on Friday 23rd May - grab tickets here.

Q&A: PG Ciarletta

Scottish singer-songwriter PG Ciarletta is making waves with his latest track Freedom — a bold, heartfelt anthem that reflects both his personal journey and the spirit of Scotland’s working-class music scene. As he prepares for a tour spanning Aberdeen to Falkirk, PG focuses on the energy of live gigs and the connection that comes with crowd singalongs. From performing at the Murrayfield Fanzone to playing in Cologne alongside the Tartan Army, each show adds to his growing momentum. With a new single set for release in April/May and a debut album on the horizon, PG Ciarletta’s rise is only just beginning.

Check out our Q&A below:

Q1. Your next single, Freedom, landed last Friday. What's the story and inspiration behind the song?

I’ll break it into 2 areas. In a first person perspective its written about living a life pursuing a career in music and the arts which involves, for people like me, having to leave where you are from and move to a place which is set up for what you want to do, whilst also living a life travelling to loads of different places playing music. 

Secondly, more consistently in my music I story tell and write about inner city folktales, working class issues, social issues, and problems humble communities face. In this instance from what I have observed in these great working class communities in Scotland and beyond, is that there is so many places which have had the culture, heart, venues and high streets ripped out them. Sometimes we don’t realise whats going on until it is too late and you can feel that message in the chorus.

That’s what I see in terms of what is going on right now and I want to see the music, art scene and talent in Scotland, and the indie music scene where I have come from, thriving. I want my music to help change that. 

Q2. You're about to hit the road for your Scottish tour. How do you get yourself gig-ready- are we talking weird pre-show rituals, or is it straight in, no messing about?

I am more a straight into it, no messing about sort of guy. To be honest I Iike to be prepared and relaxed. I will always make sure I am well rehearsed and ready to go and that all arrangements are in place so there is no rushing about or last minute surprises, although somethings always pops up. Then for me it’s be there on time and being relaxed as possible pre-show. If I am staying in another location, then if I have time I like to go for a walk to burn time. Usually to a football stadium, if I am playing in a place with a ground, or a river or sea as it reminds me of home and being close to the Forth or the Clyde. Then its about trying to get as much sleep as possible, but we all know that is very difficult on tour or in a van haha. 

Q3. 2025 is looking absolutely massive for you -new tunes, big gigs, festival madness. What's got you buzzing the most?

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. I want my story to be known for doing things how it is meant to be, and for me that is just getting out there and playing shows everywhere, connecting with people, and representing them. I love the stories our maws and grans tell us about all these great bands and artists who just used to play every village, town and city going. I know in current times its very hard to do that, but I don’t think there is enough of that these days, and I want to get out there and play to try do something about it. 

Q4. Any venues or cities on this tour that you're particularly hyped to play?

I love getting the chance to go to Inverness and Dundee for the first time, and also get to places that don’t get as much music like Falkirk, Kilmarnock and Helensburgh. I would say I am particularly hyped to play Aberdeen. I got lucky in 2022, I got a chance to support a band called Skylights up there, which turned out to be a great gig and I gained a lot of support off the back off it. Combine that with the support I have from the Scotland supporters groups in the area, then you know it could be a great night. The people up there love the music, football and a party, so it is always a great crowd, and being a one club city, if Aberdeen are at home and they win, then it adds an extra 10% to the atmosphere on the night - bouncing. 

Q5. You played the Fanzone at Murrayfield recently. How did that compare to your other gigs? Any stand-out moments from the day?

The world of sport has always been good to me and been a place where I can get my music and messages out there. Probably because I look like I have just walked out a crowd at a football match. From the Rugby side of things I have been lucky enough to be given chances to play on the pitch and roof of Murrayfield stadium and the fan-zones. Sport can give you a lot of unique moments musically, which are always memories you cherish outwith the bread and butter of making music and playing shows. For the Scotland vs Ireland fan-zone, it was just a great gig and a great atmosphere from both sets of fans. It is a chance to play to a large volume of people, and gain new support, but similar in the sense that it just becomes a massive party and sing-a-long. I performed Caledonia which turned into a mass sing-a-long with Scottish and Irish fans, but also a lot of my originals, and it is always great to see when I go back to play in the sports world.

Q6. From Glasgow To Berlin became the unofficial Tartan Army soundtrack last year. What was it like seeing your tune take on a life of its own? Any wild stories from your time in Germany?

Are you trying to get me cancelled? Haha jokes. To be honest, it was mad seeing the power of TikTok and social media, and from that how many people knew the words to the song. I still walk about to this day and people come up singing the words or calling me a name I can’t write in this interview. To see the song idea go from a random TikTok video to a GBX Remix, Hampden Park, national media, and then European media was incredible. From my time in Germany story wise I would say the improvised Open Goal performances which were wild, and then the indoor gig I had in Cologne which was sold out to 900 people, that was bouncing and I will remember that night forever.

The wildest of all was getting a last minute call on match day in Cologne to play the official UEFA fan-zone to thousands of people. I was on Swedish TV and then had to finish up, collect the guitar I had packed away for the day, and head straight to the massive fan-zone on the river. It was basically like turning Princess Street in Edinburgh into a fan-zone with loads of screens. That was unreal just playing and looking out to a sea of thousands of people, I just took a moment to take it all in when everyone was singing so I had that memory in my head forever. I even had to host the fan-zone with some random German presenter because everyone running it left and went to the game. Still to this day I haven’t had an offer to be a presenter yet, but it can’t be far away haha. 

Q7. You rocked up on Off The Ball on BBC Radio Scotland recently, chatting music, football, and all sorts of nonsense. How was it getting to mix those two worlds? Any moments from the show that completely blindsided you?

I think its just a chance for me to be myself. As a person I love football, music, storytelling and terrace wear etc, and everytime I have just been myself in music I have found I have connected with people and opportunities have came my way. It is so important to be real and genuine. I do remember being on Off The Ball in January 2024, which was my first real experience on that type of show. You are on it with great professionals and notable guests so you’ve got to be on it 100%. It is not like in music when you go on for 10-15 minutes and you get a couple of questions about your song and then you play it live, in this type of show your on for 1 hour and a half, the topics are fresh on the day and you’ve got curve balls coming at you left, right and centre. Tam, Stuart and Ray are legends to. I remember the first time I was on, I was on with Derek Ferguson, and I was introducing myself, when he came in and said “tell them about that other song you’ve got”, where he was reffering to my first ever song “The Sesh”. That was the early days for me so I was just stunned that he knew that song haha so I went a bit like a rabbit in the headlights for a minute before re-composing myself. Then the hosts latched on and said he liked it because the name sounded like another song Derek would like. I won't name it, but I will let you search for “PG Ciarletta - The Sesh” on Amazon Alexa to see what it plays, I probably got that song in the charts haha. 

Q8. Freedom dropped last week, but surely there's more on the way? How soon can fans expect the next banger to land?

100% mate, I want to build towards my first album, so there will be regular releases coinciding with tours and festival season etc. I would say the next song will land about April/May time, and it is another banger.