Arbo ‘Settle’ music review by Robert Blair

Although it flew under our radar at time of release, the past few weeks have allowed us to acquaint ourselves with Settle by Paisley-based producer Arbo. A purveyor of hypnotic soundscapes that encapsulate everything from the visionary work of Steve Reich through to Moby‘s creative height and contemporary forces of innovation such as Floating... Read More

The Sound of Renfrewshire: The Deep Shining Sea

Veterans of the scene, we spoke to The Deep Shining Sea’s Stevie Hillcoat about influences, physical copies and Paisley’s musical rebirth. How did the band come together? “Jamie (McLachlan, drums) and I were in a band called Lemonhaze that split in 2017, but we stuck together. I had an album’s worth of demos recorded... Read More

Reigniting the Fire

Although lockdown is taking its toll on Renfrewshire’s musicians, Sma’sh Hits’ New Music Collective is here to keep morale high and ideas ticking over. If there’s any sector that’s been sent into a tailspin by lockdown, it’s the arts. Relieved of the ability to perform, this inability to go out and harness the audience’s... Read More

People: John Rush

Among the country’s most hotly tipped singer/songwriters, get acquainted with Glenburn’s own John Rush. Hailing from Glenburn, have you always had aspirations of being a songwriter? My Mum was into Marc Bolan and my Dad loved Elvis so I grew up with music, but I think it would be hard not to be inspired... Read More

The Sound of Renfrewshire: The Van T’s

The brainchild of two siblings that morphed into one of the nation’s most hotly tipped bands, we spoke to Hannah Van Thompson about their journey, the music scene and a recent career milestone. What are your roots In Renfrewshire? “We moved to Johnstone when Chloe and I were five from Thornliebank and before that,... Read More

The Unthanks: interview with Becky Unthank for Mill

The Unthanks are folk troubadours in the classic tradition. We spoke to Rachel about keeping the flame alive. Since The Unthanks released their first album in 2005, Tyneside siblings Becky and Rachel Unthank have accumulated a barrage of awards and critical acclaim.  Their restless musical journey has involved collaborations with Sting, Paul Hartnoll from... Read More

Interview: Joseph Malik

Singer-songwriter, DJ and producer Joseph Malik thought his latest album would be his last. Instead it saved him. Music is therapy, an expression of the soul. Joseph Malik knows that. A veteran of the Edinburgh underground music scene, he released his first solo album, Diverse, in 2002. That was followed two years later by Aquarius... Read More

People: Evelyn Laurie

An award-winning jazz musician and dedicated community activist, Evelyn Laurie is one of Paisley’s most prominent creative figures. What inspired you to start the #PositivePaisley campaign? I’m a Paisley buddy, but I’ve lived and studied elsewhere. When I moved back to Renfrewshire in 2010, I was quite dismayed at the way Paisley had become... Read More

Lochwinnoch Takes It All

A small village in Renfrewshire is home to one of Scotland’s best and brightest arts festivals. When the Lochwinnoch Arts Festival was established at the turn of the 21st century, it was a modest single afternoon affair devoted to local authors. Over the years it’s gradually grown into an eighteen day event encompassing literature,... Read More

The Logans

The Logans from Barrhead are a real-life Von Trapp family. Mum, dad and their nine – count ‘em – children all sing and play. Their dog, Frank, has yet to pick up a musical instrument, but it’s only a matter of time. Two years ago, Honor (25), Tayler (23) and Leona Blue (22) decided... Read More