Why I changed from a ‘No’ to a ‘Yes.’

First Published in New Statesman 29/08/14 I despise nationalism. I despise patriotism. I hate bagpipes, I hate kilts and tartan and I hate the cringe inducing shouts of “wha’s like us” in bars across the nation at closing time on drunken Saturday nights. I love the other countries we share this little island with. I […]

Summer music festivals: On the road with Attic Lights, part four

First published on stv.tv The day of our show at the Benicassim festival in Spain and I found myself alone in the dressing room a couple of hours before we went onstage. There was a knock on the door and two guys introduced themselves and came in. They were in charge of filming the performance […]

Summer music festivals: On the road with Attic Lights, part three

First published on stv.tv A good few years ago, at the very beginning of our career, before we ever released an album, I did an interview with a magazine and they asked me to name my favourite city. Being a wee guy from Glasgow who had hardly ever been anywhere, I said the first thing […]

Summer music festivals: On the road with Attic Lights, part two

First published on stv.tv All systems go! I watched T In The Park on television only feeling slightly envious, safe in the knowledge that I’d be doing the same at the Benicassim festival in Spain within the week. Our final rehearsal is great. Noel’s drums steady and focused, the guitars blaring and our vocals blending […]

Summer music festivals: On the road with Attic Lights, part one

First published on stv.tv I’m going to the Benicassim Festival in Spain. The line-up looks fantastic – The Killers, Arctic Monkeys, Queens of The Stone Age and a band from Scotland called something like the Attic Monkey Lights or Attack Plights or something. Actually, that would be my band, Attic Lights. I love playing at […]