Kirsty McKenzie finds out more about the Glasgow-based YouTube channel and music site that’s making waves in the industry from founder Chae Houston.
While it is never much of a surprise to spot musicians strolling around the West End of Glasgow – after all it boasts legendary music venues such as the Oran Mor – it may be more surprising to find them dragging their guitars up the stairway of a tenement block.
But it seems the sight has become a common occurrence for the neighbours of Highburgh Road following the success of aptly-named Tenement TV, a Youtube channel that has recorded acts such as Cage the Elephant and Gabrielle Aplin playing in a bay window.
The simple premise has now expanded into a music site encompassing session recordings, reviews, features and music news coverage and attracts around 160k views a month.
Founder Chae Houston, pictured above, says he never could have predicted the success of what initially started out as just a hobby with friends.
“It took about a year to get the idea off the ground,” says Chae. “I would have never have guessed from our launch in 2011 we would have come so far. We just wanted to provide a tool for local bands to promote themselves and it grew from there.”
Now the filming is no longer limited to the bay window – the team of up to 30 employees have travelled as far as America and Hong Kong to record on location at festivals such as SXSW, T In The Park, Wickerman Festival and Clockenflap.
Not that they are going to let go of their Glasgow roots – or flat – any time soon. “The city has played a huge part in our success,” says Chae. “Bands come from all over to play at venues like O2 ABC and Oran Mor and being based in Hyndland means we are only minutes away. There is always loads happening and the Glasgow music scene has developed a great reputation thanks to the venues and major labels based here.”
As for the neighbours, they are getting used to sound of success blaring from the top flat. “Everyone is pretty laid back about it now,” laughs Chae, “But when we were filming Bastille, the recording ran late into the night.
“The downstairs neighbour began banging the ceiling with a broom. I had to go down and beg her to let us finish!”.
Just as well he did – the video of the chart-toppers is Tenements TV’s most popular to date with almost 900,000 views. But Chae promises it’s only the beginning.
“The focus now for us is to expand as much as possible and continue to search and support new talent. I’m excited for what’s next.”
Head to www.tenementtv.com to discover your new favourite band now.