Hiya Abolish Golf, thanks for joining us in the virtual RGM lounge today. Grab a brew and take a seat.
Thanks for joining us today… Tell us a bit about where you are from and how you got into music?
We are all from different parts of Scotland but are based in Edinburgh. Jamie and Cameron are both from Elgin, Calum from Auchterarder and Sean’s family are from Kirkcaldy but he grew up in the Netherlands. Some of us played together previously in another band, The Party Slogan.
I guess we were all introduced to music by our parents, and we all appreciate music from the 80s specifically. We all picked up our instruments at a fairly early age, Jamie and Cameron even went to the same guitar teacher back in the day – shoutout to Simon.
What’s the live music scene like in Edinburgh right now?
We have pals in various really great bands in the city and the scene is fairly healthy, but probably always going to be in Glasgow’s shadow a bit. Personally, I’d like to see a more diverse range of venues, run by locals and putting on more nights for local bands, and ensuring they get paid fairly.
Most venues are pretty centrally located, but some of our best nights have been in venues like Leith Depot, which thankfully has managed to stay open despite numerous attempts to shut it down.
Anyone we should be looking out for?
Dubinski, Sarah/Shaun, Jeshua, Portable Heads, North Orbital.
What are your thoughts on all this talk about Indie Poo going round the socials at the minute?
The guy that does the videos about it I find quite annoying. And I disagree with some of his metrics, but looking at his channel every now and then has made me find some really horrendous music, which is great. It’s a bit like that Catatonic Youths Instagram page but specifically focused on English indie music.
What are your ambitions for the band?
Probably like every other band; release more music and play more gigs. Getting to play at Tut’s in Glasgow would be nice – I’ve always felt like playing there would be an achievement. We are yet to play our first gig outside of Scotland so we are working to try and make that happen, doon the road as well as in mainland Europe.
What’s your view on the Music industry today?
I prefer not to speak. If I speak, I am in big trouble. Big trouble. And I don’t want to be in big trouble.
What’s the biggest thing you have learned recently as you progress with your music?
Trying not to stay too attached to songs is difficult. We spend a lot of time writing, and it can be hard sometimes if we need to retire an old tune or if we just can’t find a place in the set for new stuff. But we strive to keep writing, and the live set has to evolve to stop us from getting bored.
What’s currently in your ears and on rotation at the moment?
Jeez, we all have such disparate tastes between us. I’m currently listening to Sam Fender and Hippo Campus, but if I mentioned these acts to my bandmates, they’d probably say something like “who is that?” or “these are rubbish”.
What was your worst experience on stage? Any funny stories to share?
I wouldn’t say we have had any truly horrific experiences thankfully, but headlining the T@3 Festival at Three Sisters on Cowgate in Edinburgh was interesting. We didn’t fit on the bill particularly well and anyone familiar with the venue knows what sorta vibe it is – busy, chaotic, very boozy and with punters who want an acoustic singalong, and we turned up to play our original songs. Went down incredibly well though, our cover of “Then I Met You” by The Proclaimers in particular.
Got any fun, funny stories from life on the road?
We had a couple of dates with Private Function last year, a punk band from Melbourne (who just split up actually, RIP to the GOATs). The second night was meant to be in Glasgow, but as they were loading their gear into the venue the lift got stuck halfway down with a fair whack of their rented backline in it.
We tried to source replacement bits of equipment, but to no avail, and eventually had to cancel the show. It was their final gig of a fairly hefty Euro tour so they were chuffed to have a night off. Our pal Robbie was filling in on drums for us and he got to take them on a wild night out in Glasgow with a shit ton of fireworks, which it turns out are illegal in Australia.
I hear you have new music. What can you tell us about it?
“Into Place” is our newest single. It was originally composed by our guitarist and newest member Sean, who had written this verse/chorus/verse, quiet/loud/quiet pattern years ago and had been playing it over and over again, annoying friends and family alike. It’s very much an off-kilter 90s alt-rock sound. When he took it into practice, we were all really impressed and added our own parts, Jamie composed the bridge section and fleshed it out.
What was the recording process like?
We recorded vocals, guitars, and percussion back in January at Teleharmonic Studios in Perth. The bass and synth parts were recorded by Cameron in his flat in Leith while recovering from a stay in hospital after a heart failure diagnosis, from which he has thankfully fully recovered.
Would you change anything now it’s finished?
It would have been nice to be in the same room all together I suppose. I’m never fully satisfied with my lyrics, so maybe I’d make one or two changes to them, but other than that we love what we have put together.
Is there anything else you would like to share with the world?
Fuck golf. It’s Scotland’s shame.
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