The Snuts were on an upward trajectory when the pandemic broke out last year. Having just released their ‘Mixtape’ EP to critical acclaim, they were also about to embark on a UK tour, and complete work on their debut album, when everything stopped.
But the resourceful West Lothian alternative band showed how to turn a bad situation into a positive, and they have come out strong. The release of their debut record ‘W.L.’ this year marks a milestone for the group, who just delivered three sold out shows at Glasgow Barrowland following well-received main stage festival slots at Reading and Leeds, TRNSMT and Boardmasters.
Susan Hansen caught the band immediately after their electrifying set at Reading Festival.
– – –
[embedded content]
– – –
How does it feel to play festivals and live shows again?
Callum: Coming back to live shows is great. The record has been out for five months, it gives fans a chance to digest and get on a level with it. Coming out to gigs, you’re feeling that connection again, they’ve loved and believed in the songs. It gives the record a new lease of life, it’s a good place and creates a nice connection.
Jack: Seeing people jumping again, moshing is fantastic. It’s like starting again when you see these crowds. We were used to them before, and now we’re seeing them for the first time again, to have people jump around to your music again is an amazing feeling.
Speaking of the record, ‘W.L.’ is doing well. Despite everything that’s happened, you’re having a great year.
Jack: It’s been a blessing in disguise for us because we managed to finish our record, we used other ways to connect with people. We did well with the campaign, there was a togetherness, and people enjoyed getting music during the pandemic.
The song ‘No Place I’d Rather Go’ is about being together, the feeling in a community, togetherness and being able to play it out for the first time at these shows is humbling for us.
You take inspiration from various genres and influences. How did you achieve such a degree of diversity?
Jack: When we set out to make the record, we thought we were going to be playing jingle jangle guitar music. Once we got into the sessions, we realised there were no rules for this record, we wanted to be open and just see what came out. It was important for our record to put the egos aside, it’s one of the hardest things to do in music, but when you get to the studio you should leave your ego at the door. That’s why our record has these different sounds and genres, because we were aware of that.
Callum: Sometimes it was a full band in a room. Sometimes Jack would come and write on his own, and sometimes you were working with Inflo, one of the producers. We had a more than one producer, so every track has a different texture, they added that to the record, it became a melting pot of creative ideas.
Jack: We had no plan for the record, it was about how we were feeling. It was what ended up coming out, especially for a debut, you don’t want anything super-conceptual, just passion and music coming together.
Do you feel that guitar music requires a fresh injection of energy?
Jack: Coming to this festival you see kids going crazy for guitar music. It’s about trying to work out why that’s not translating on the recording side. That’s something bands struggle to understand, we were trying to identify what works, what people wanna hear, is there a balance to be reached? It’s popular at festivals, but it isn’t reflected in the charts.
Callum: Everybody knows what two guitars, bass, and drum kit sound like, it needs that contemporary spin to bring it into the world that kids are in. Especially, now with streaming services, many other genres flying through the roof, people are into buying records, but it doesn’t always translate into streaming. Streaming services need to act responsibly, it’s the way people consume music, but you can’t only put one genre at the forefront.
Jack: With our album campaign we were trying to prove our point, it was about putting guitar music back where people can access it. Since we’ve had a Number 1 Inhaler got a debut Number 1 too, we’re going to see more debut albums from guitar bands reaching the top. This year we’ve had four or five young guitar bands getting a debut number one, it’s important for the scene.
It seems that many rising artists get overlooked..
Jack: it’s got to be looked at in terms of helping new artists, when it comes to being up against giants, you don’t have a chance against, and streaming’s heavily connected to that stage, where young bands aren’t favoured in their progression. Young musicians could do with more support.
– – –
[embedded content]
– – –
You got a Number 1 beating Demi Lovato! Describe the mechanics of a battle at the top.
Jack: It was exciting to be part of it. We’re too young to know much about Oasis and Blur and their battle. It’s also nice to have something shiny to show for it.
Callum: You don’t realise how mad the internet is until you’ve tried it. Our managers were getting their accounts hacked, these fans are wild. Going up against them becomes personal, it’s not just about artists releasing on the same day, you’re standing against their idol.
I was in my bed thinking it’s done and woke up as my manager phoned telling me not to open the package that came to my house. It was the number one trophy, because it was so close, we both had a trophy. It meant so much to us, but doubt it meant as much to Demi Lovato. It was our UK Number 1, her fans hated us because we were stopping her. It’s great for Scotland’s contribution to music, nationally and internationally..
Jack: Glasgow has a bustling scene, and Scottish people are super-inspired when they see others do well, seeing Lewis Capaldi achieve success was super-encouraging. When you start creating that encouragement, more people are going to take that leap, and start making music. There are wasted artists in the world, because no one’s telling them, they can do it.
Callum: Especially where we’re from at school, they don’t teach you that you could actually go into this. They teach you to go into trade, you might work in a warehouse all your life, that’s the reality for many people from where we’re from, so to be able to break out of that – and be a beacon of light and hope for people – is great.
You take inspiration from the Libertines, what was it like to meet them in person?
Callum: For us they’re the greatest ever dudes. People say never meet your heroes, but luckily we played with them, they were the nicest guys. It’s been 20 years, and they are still doing great things. They wear their heart on their sleeves, and that’s different to where we’re from.
Jack: They could headline the main stage at this festival, and people would go mad. They’re genuine, and their music’s genuine.
You played a socially distanced show with them last year, did that feel special?
Jack: It was nice to have done. It was at the beginning of the pandemic, and information was sparse. People just wanted to hear music, we had been without live music for six months at that time. Peter Doherty’s nice.
Callum: Everybody was confused. Everybody thought they were gonna come to a real gig, it was an odd experience, it was unique though. You’re playing, rocking out, you come down, and sit in a booth with Pete Doherty.
Growing up fast, you’re rising to the occasion, what have you learnt so far?
Jack: You should always be writing and commenting, and it should be things that’re happening right around you. You have to be skilled in the guitar world to release music, that’s our responsibility as artists, we need to make sure we’re making good music.
Whenever we play gigs, they’re super-inclusive, and for everybody. We try to make music that people from any age, background, and area will enjoy. That’s what is on our minds.
– – –
[embedded content]
– – –
‘W.L.’ is out now.
Photo Credit: Gaz Williamson
Words: Susan Hansen
– – –
