I feel so lucky that it’s my actual job to find bands and artists in Scotland to put on BBC Radio 1. The hope is that their careers will progress and important people will hear them, like Zane Lowe, Annie Mac and industry heavyweights. Here’s three amazing acts who I think might blow up soon…
CHURCHES – chvrches.tumblr.com
If you like really catchy, bouncy, electronic pop songs in the vein of La Roux or M83, then you are going to fall in love with brand new Glasgow band CHURCHES. They are relative newcomers to the scene but have got an incredible amount of attention online from releasing one song on their Soundcloud page. It may be because they’re no strangers to the music industry– this Scottish indie-music-supergroup features members of Aerogramme, The Twilight Sad and Blue Sky Achieves. More importantly, they know how to generate the most HYPE Glasgow’s seen since Franz Ferdinand got really famous. Take note of these guys, they’ll be dead famous soon.
Ask Lauren to come sing to you personally on Twitter – @CHVRCHES
Vukovi – www.facebook.com/vukoviband
Ayrshire four-piece Vukovi (that’s the Serbian word for wolves) are a proper rock band and will tick all the boxes for you if you like things loud, sweaty and exciting. They say they are influenced by the likes of Rage Against the Machine, Refused and Skunk Anansie (ask your mum) but it’s hard not to compare them to acts like Paramore, although with a proudly Scottish twist. Great fun live – you can see them performance in the second episode of my Detour Scotland show on Youtube if you don’t believe me.
Send them your best moshing Twitpics to @vukoviband
Meursault – www.meursaultmusic.com
These guys have been around the Scottish music scene for quite a while, but with each album, they evolve and change their sound. On their latest release, some new members help to bring what I think is their most accessible album yet. It’s passionate, it’s heartfelt – every word sung, every drum hit is with the memory of every experience that has gone into the making of each song. If you have recently been dumped, YOU NEED THIS ALBUM. It’s positive, very Scottish, optimistic and empowering – one that a lot more people should be hearing.
Say hey to them on Twitter @meursaultmusic
One-line reviews
You have to see these guys…
1) Rachel Sermanni (Carrbridge) – @rachelsermanni
Rachel is an astoundingly talented 20-year-old from the Scottish Highlands. End of.
2) The LaFontaines (Glasgow) – @TheLaFontaines
They are the live most equivalent of the biggest house party you have never been to.
3) Paws (Tain) – @wehavepaws
Shouty, grungey, wild, passionate multi-coloured-haired punks living in Glasgow – you will sweat.
4) Michael Cassidy (Paisley) – @MCassidyuk
You know Paulo Nutini, yeah? Well forget him, Michael has arrived.
5) Crusades (Glasgow) – @CrusadesBand
Played at the same time as Snow Patrol at T in the Park 2012, they are very different.
Catch Ally with the best in new UK music live on the radio every Sunday into Monday on BBC Radio 1, 12-2am, with BBC Introducing.
Don’t forget to check out his new music video channel at www.detour-scotland.com and pester him on Twitter at @allymccrae.
