Q&A: Former Champ

Ahead of their debut album I Saw You in Paradise, Former Champ open up about the emotional threads tying their music to Irish identity, Glasgow roots, and a sense of displacement. In this Q&A, Clare from the band talks recording in rural Ireland with analog gear, the joy (and chaos) of communal studio life, and why their latest single “Crooked Little Line” felt like the perfect reintroduction. There's talk of boot rides to pubs, sliding doors moments, and the deep pride behind their DIY vinyl release. It’s a warm, thoughtful look inside a band stepping confidently into a new chapter.

1. “Crooked Little Line” is your first single from your upcoming debut album I Saw You in Paradise—what made this the one to kick things off?

CM: It was a favourite of everyone’s during recording, including producer Julie. It felt like the appropriate way to reintroduce ourselves and announce the album with confidence. It was also the last song we finished before going into the studio so maybe there was more excitement around it for all of us.  

2. Your merch reflects pride in your Glasgow surroundings and Irish roots—how do those connections shape the sound and stories in your music?

CM: 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. 

And of course musically Irish artists are a huge inspiration for all of us, from Thin Lizzy to the Cranberries, My Bloody Valentine, the Saw Doctors…

3. How has the recording process for I Saw You in Paradise been so far—any surprises, breakthroughs, or chaos worth mentioning?

CM: We recorded the album at the start of this year with the amazing Julie McLarnon at Analogue Catalogue in Ireland. It was a really relaxed, happy and productive atmosphere. Recording at a residential studio means you are living like a family, eating all your meals together, sleeping together, watching movies together in the evening and leads to a pretty immersive experience. We worked more collaboratively on this album than on anything we’ve done previously and I feel it’s definitely paid off. 

While we worked hard, I did feel it was important to show the band a fair few of the local pubs. When you’re in rural Ireland you get to the pub however you can and sometimes that meant me and Ryan squeezing into the boot of a car and rolling about the back roads.

4. Your last EP was tracked live to tape in a tiny, sweaty studio—are you keeping that raw, in-the-room energy for I Saw You in Paradise, or has the approach evolved this time around?

CM: The album was also tracked live to tape although in a larger, much less sweaty studio. Working at Analogue Catalogue meant we could still capture that energy but gave us lots more options. Julie really got what the ‘sound’ of the album should be and pushed us into making things bigger and better.  Her understanding of frequencies and sound is really mind blowing. Green Door studio in Glasgow still played an important part this time round - we mixed and mastered there with the great Ronan Fay and Sam Smith. Ronan has understood what we’re trying to do from day one and as well as being a talented producer/engineer he’s also a lovely, funny guy to be around and that’s equally as important to us when it comes to all this stuff. 

5. You’ve announced a super limited vinyl run for the album—what does it mean to you to have I Saw You in Paradise out there as a physical record?

CM: It’s an exciting milestone to have created something we’re proud enough of to press and that’s how we feel about this record. Also, the cover features artwork by band members (Ryan) and friends of the band so it’s cool to see that as a physical product. 

6. The album’s not out until September—how are you keeping busy this summer? What shows or festivals are on the horizon for Former Champ?

CM: Former Champ Summer begins in September when the album comes out - we’ve got Freakender plus some more dates further afield that we can’t talk about just yet. We’re going to spend the summer writing and hanging out together. We’re looking forward to watching Glastonbury on the telly at Ryan’s.

Q&A: Dylan Winters & The Posterity

In this Q&A, Dylan Winters & The Posterity talk about their high-octane set at HouseGuest Festival, the raw intensity behind their latest single “Ecstasy,” and the tight-knit community that powers Glasgow’s DIY scene. From their evolving sound to unforgettable gig moments, the band gives credit to collectives like Crowded Flat for keeping the scene alive. With new shows announced and something massive on the way, they’re gearing up for a huge second half of 2025.

Q1. Hello Dylan Winters & The Posterity! First off, how’s everything going? How was your set at HouseGuest Festival— it looked like a blast. What was the vibe like on the day, and how did the crowd respond?

Dylan: HouseGuest was unreal. We played The Variety Bar—tiny space for a full band—but we went in full throttle: makeshift drum kit, three amps, no holding back. Probably gave the organisers a heart attack, but fair play to them, it worked. It was a fresh crowd too, so we pulled out our secret weapon—our cover of About You Now by Sugababes—and it landed. Loads of people came up after and said lovely things… one of the only memories I have of the night, to be honest. I was very rough the next morning.

Q2. HouseGuest is such a brilliant grassroots festival, run by Crowded Flat and Scottish Music Collective. As an artist coming up in the DIY scene, how crucial is that kind of local support for you?

Dylan: It's massive. Crowded Flat, SMC, Slay Sessions, B12—these collectives are keeping the Glasgow scene alive. They back upcoming bands constantly, and I say that from experience—we were one of those new bands not that long ago. There's a real community vibe that connects the bands, the venues, and the crowds. Being part of something like HouseGuest is a total privilege.

Q3. Let’s talk about “Ecstasy”—absolute banger, by the way. What’s the story or emotion that sparked the song? Did you try anything new with the sound or production this time around that you’re especially proud of?

Dylan: Thank you! Ecstasy came from a really confused, vulnerable place. At first, it was a bit of a mess live—just hadn’t clicked yet. But once we locked in as a band, it became this big, explosive release. I feel absolutely spent after playing it now, which I take as a good sign.

The detective theme was kind of random—I think I just missed dressing up after our cowboy Runaway era. But it fits, because the whole song’s just asking: “What the hell is happening?”

Q4. Every band seems to have their own magic formula—what’s yours? How do songs usually start for you, and how does that idea evolve once you’re in the studio with the band?

Dylan: 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.

Robbie: Aye, we’ve all got very different influences, so when we manage to fuse them right, it leads to some of our best stuff. Doesn’t always work—but when it does, it’s magic.

Q5. You’ve come a long way since dropping “Never In Love” back in 2022. Looking back, how do you think your sound has evolved? And where do you see it heading next—are there any new directions you’re itching to explore?

Dylan: That song’s changed a lot—it’s a whole new beast live. We end most sets with it now and it just goes off. As for where we’re headed? Las Vegas Wedding is a good clue—grungier, bluesier. We’re definitely exploring darker tones lately.

Robbie: Yeah—Dylan Winters & The Posterity going blues is like Bob Dylan going electric. It’s a shift, but it still makes sense for us.

Dylan: I’m listening to a lot of Wunderhorse, Phoebe Bridgers, Mazzy Star, Radiohead… so your guess is as good as mine where we’ll land next.

Q6. Your live performances bring serious energy on stage. What’s it like translating your music from the studio to a live setting with the full band, and how do they shape the sound?

Dylan: It’s a balance we sometimes need to take a minute to consider, but live shows are more about how the songs feel than how they sound. That freedom lets us be rawer and more emotional on stage. I sometimes lose the plot and scream down the mic—but if people feel something, that’s what matters. The studio versions show we can actually play, but the live ones show why we do it.

Robbie: Big thing for me is improvisation. I try to base what I play on how the moment feels—there’s a lot of instinct and emotion in it, which keeps it fresh every night.

Q7. You’ve got a solid setlist to choose from now—what’s your personal favourite song to play live, and is there one that always gets the crowd fired up?

Dylan: Everyone’s got their own pick. Robbie’s is The Night Before The Morning After—he gets a big intro and solo there.

Robbie: That solo goes hard, I won’t lie.

Dylan: Jett and Matt are all about Las Vegas Wedding. Me and Mollie love Ecstasy—the crowd reactions recently have been incredible.

Q8. You’ve ticked off some iconic Glasgow spots like King Tut’s and St Luke’s—what’s been the wildest or most unforgettable gig moment so far? Any behind-the-scenes stories that stick with you?

Dylan: Our first show at King Tut’s. I was feeling totally out of my depth, last band on, full crowd. I tried a risky little call-and-response in Never In Love, not knowing if anyone would care—and they shouted it right back at me. Felt so surreal seeing people I didn’t know yelling lyrics I wrote as a teenager.

Robbie: Definitely debuting my Las Vegas Wedding Solo, Dylan fell down halfway through and just worshipped for the other half.

Q9. Can’t believe we’re halfway through 2025 already! What’s next for you and the band—more touring, new music, any surprises up your sleeve?

Dylan: We have just announced our next show, hosted by your pal Jake, from The Fake JIddler Show, which is a live take on his talk show, where us, Sean Choon & The Prawn Monsoon, and a secret guest, with interviews and stuff all throughout. Jake’s a good friend of mine, so I am really looking forward to it.

After that, however, we have something very huge in the works. It’ll be our biggest show by far, and I cannot wait to share it with everybody.