WEEKEND DEBT
Representing Weekend Debt, we spoke to lead Grant, reminiscent of the past and looking to the future. The Glasgow band are counting down to the release of their first single of the year,' Why Don't You Realise?' The follow up to 'Pomposity', a energetic love statement, which really honed into their indie style.
Who inspires you as a band and what's the inspiration behind ‘Why don’t you realise?’
As a band we all have different tastes in music, but on a whole we take inspiration from Biffy Clyro and Bombay Bicycle Club. ‘Why don’t you realise?’ was written during lockdown, it was the first time we had written a song without a rush, giving us more creative freedom.
What’s been your experience within the Glasgow music scene?
Me, Russell and Harvey lived 40 minutes away from Glasgow, and it felt so far away. We’ve moved here now and it’s great being able to go and see our pals in bands. It’s such a good hub, a real community. There's no bitterness, everybody just wants each other to do well.
As it’s Independent Venue Week, what has been your favourite venue to play?
‘King Tuts’ purely for its reputation, it’s known all over the world. My personal favourite though would have to be, ‘St Lukes’, it’s an old church conversion, the sound of the room itself is amazing. I’ve been to see artists play there and there's just something about it, there’s nothing like it.
What do you think sets your music apart from everything else?
This is nothing against anyone else, but I think there are a lot of bands in Glasgow who dive down a punkier route. We even tried that, but didn’t like it. I would like to think we’re different from some other bands in Glasgow, I know some people may not agree with that. As individuals we have different ways of playing and approaching a song, so I hope that makes a difference overall.
What are your upcoming plans for Weekend Debt in 2021?
Hopefully gigs! At the moment we’re trying to keep ourselves busy with the releases we have coming out. We’re writing a lot, and working on an EP. We hope to get into a studio and then by the end of the year, start playing them in places.
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If the lockdown was lifted and money wasn’t an object what would you do as a band?
Go on tour. Just get a van, chuck everything in, play as much as we can and see as much of the world as possible. Maybe buy some new studios and equipment whilst we're at it too.
What makes you proud to be working within music right now and name something you’d change?
I’m proud of the whole music community, just coming together. We’ve obviously been let down a number of times by the Government, but we’ve proven that it isn’t going to stop anyone from promoting their art.
One thing I feel is that people of minorities sometimes get pushed into a corner and don’t have their voice heard, going forward, I'd like to see more of the opportunities we’ve been seeing open up, to keep stepping in the right direction.
Leading on from that, what is your take on the conversation of Scottish independence, do you think it will help the Scottish Music Industry?
I think so. I remember being really young, still not being able to cast my vote for the referendum, but my mum was really into it. I remember going to George Square, In the middle of Glasgow, in the weeks leading up to the referendum and it was almost like a party. Gerry Cinnamon played a pro-independence song and I remember everyone going crazy for it. I don’t think Scotland is known for its music, but the music it has is great. An independent Scotland, can only make things better, and create more opportunities for people.
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How does music make you feel and has it ever been your therapy?
It’s always a therapy, music makes me feel everything. No matter what I'm listening to, from playing in a band, it makes you appreciate and understand the music more. You understand more about the depth of emotion, and how it’s attached to songs. If you're having a shit day you can put on an album and forget about it all.
What makes music so important to you and why?
It’s always been important to me, my family, especially my Grandparents have always played music. Moving into Glasgow, my friends are all musicians or musically inclined, it’s what keeps us all together. It’s how we bond.
This is your chance to shout out a smaller Band/Artist - who do you choose?
My favourite band going about in Glasgow at the moment is a band called ‘Gallus’ they are such good girls, we were lucky and had a chance to play with them in Edinburgh, in May 2019. They have such a big energy and I believe if they get the platform to showcase that on, they’ll smash it.
Photo by George MacFadyen