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 - matt@23rdprecinctmusic.com
“‘Persona’ is the closest we’ve ever gotten to merging the worlds of my poetry and songwriting as I am literally performing spoken word at the end. The vulnerability I tried to express in this song has definitely developed our songwriting as I now feel a lot more open within the band dynamic and this has led to more directed songwriting sessions where we all play a part in the construction of lyrics - knowing that The Zebecks is a really safe space surrounded by my best friends means I feel comfortable bouncing ideas directly off them in real time.”
“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.”
“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.”
“I think people love the freedom and the warm nature of these grassroots events. Glasgow especially is extremely kind and respectful, and it feels amazing to be able to throw a big party for your community where everyone can be themselves.”
“I was listening through old demos and there was a melody Tammy had been singing along with the piano, she heard me playing it out loud and said "Wait. There's something in that" at first I didn't agree but she was persistent. That melody eventually became the verse of Floating. The moment we began writing the verse was what set the whole song in motion, and everything afterwards naturally progressed into a full song.”
“One time someone told us that we reminded them of when Lady Gaga and Beyonce collaborated and we've been living off that high ever since. ”
“Oh it’s absolutely amazing! I can’t believe it to be honest! I always find putting on headline shows a little scary, and I get quite nervous on the run up- but the response for the shows, and in particular the Glasgow date has been totally mind blowing! I think it’s going to be pretty special seeing so many people in the one room, who are there to see myself and my wonderful band, play tunes that I just wrote at home!”
“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".”
“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.“
“My emotions over my Poetry Club gig didn’t fully hit me until Sunday afternoon whilst watching back videos on Instagram. IT WAS AMAZING! The realisation that I’d packed out a room two hours away from where I grew up filled me with a new sense of pride over my music. I feel proud & soooo beyond grateful of the people that made time to come down and support, grateful of the boys in my band, and grateful of all my family and friends.”
“Playing at the Biennial was superb. The energy and buzz in the city was infectious and the support from the audiences and fellow musicians at my shows, even though we didn’t always share a language, was so important and helped me feel right at home. “
New year, new bands, new obsessions. Scotland’s music scene is a constantly morphing beast, spitting out fresh talent, combing boundary-defying genres, with the raw energy that keeps the Scottish music scene constantly evolving. Whether you’re into massive indie anthems, left-field electronic experiments, or something that defies categorisation entirely, 2025 is shaping up to be another huge year for grassroots Scottish Music.
“I was hyper aware that this was going to be a song that literally anyone can hear, forever, which was honestly a bit scary when it’s such a personal topic. But then the reaction to it has been really touching—I’ve had a fair few people say to me how much they relate to Lighter. Now I’d say it’s the song that I’m the most proud of”
“Sometimes stuff just feels right, sounds right. But the mission statement for this band in a writing sense was definitely like Paul Westerberg and all the pathos in the Replacements tunes. These are pop songs first and foremost—they are never going to be perfect short stories like Raymond Carver or whatever—but they do start from that place.”
“I think it hit me one day a long time ago that I was the only person who hadn’t heard my own voice, you know? It’s one thing to back other people and hide behind that, but I had all these weird little stories building up that just needed out, if nothing else just for me!”
“It’s epic! We’re so grateful for the support. We’ve worked hard from the roots up, and every bit of recognition feels like a big achievement. Working with a local, musician-run project like New Teeth has helped us stay true to our values. Growing from here feels like a huge positive, especially knowing that these platforms resonate with our music.”
" This year’s been an amazing year in terms of the shows we’ve been blessed to play, that includes Supersonic in Paris which was a fairytale in its own right. We’ve come a huge way as a band through it all."
"Vocalising my experiences and getting things off my chest has kept me sane. Once it’s on paper or recorded on a track, it’s no longer this inescapable noise in my head, going round in circles and frying my brain. Writing allows me to think clearly and get a bit of perspective on situations."
"Nobody’s happy or sad all the time – there are so many uncertain, grey areas. I feel like there’s a lot of weirdness to be found in the world, so I try and pack as much of it as I can into my three minutes.”
"I was lucky to have the time to fully immerse on composing for about five months, and being in that environment was the perfect setting for inspiration and also focus on the work. The process of composing can be fickle and taking break for walks, chatting to friends and observing dreams are just as important as putting pen to paper in the process."
Check out our Resonate Artist of the Week Spotify Playlist here
“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.“
Read More“There’s so much you can learn from your peers, and I’ve found that most other artists are really happy to help each other out in demystifying the industry. I think it just takes away some of that self-imposed pressure of trying to figure it all out alone, especially when you realise so many people experience the same challenges as you.“
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