WHILE the current crop of high-flying West Lothian bands are a force to be reckoned, the same can also be said for those out there plying their trade as a solo act.
The depth of the singer-songwriter pool in the area is as strong as it has ever been. Emboldened by the meteoric rise of Lewis Capaldi, and with eyes firmly cast on the area for the next big thing, it is certainly no daydream for many up-and-coming acts to believe they could already be on the road to great things.
READ MORE: Dylan Fraser West Lothian Songwriters Spotlight
On top of the conveyor belt of youngsters looking to break through, there are plenty of seasoned performers that add to the rich tapestry of talent in the area.
The Weekender reached out to as many West Lothian solo artists as possible in a bid to make sure every songwriter is heard – below is just a short insight into each artist.
As is often the case for young songwriters, family life is a major factor in developing their love of music. Linlithgow’s Christie Oliver emerged during the lockdown period and
She says: “Personally, it was all down to my family. My mum used to be in a band, and my dad is a music fanatic - always at gigs, even in his old age! I’d say I always had the urge to perform, to write and to share my stories and experiences through music! Like many others, I use my music as an escape, and as a therapy to help heal what I can’t speak about.”
Oliver is another talent to watch in the near future, with new single Venom on the way in the new year. The 20-year-old will, no doubt, have an eye on a live date in Bathgate in the near future as she bids to make up for lost time.
Christie Oliver, 20, from Linlithgow
“I’ve actually only performed in West Lothian once,” she adds. “With my career mainly taking off throughout the pandemic I was stuck in my room doing countless live streams instead of living it up on stage.
“Since the reopening of venues, I’ve played in Ayr, Glasgow and my hometown Linlithgow. I’ve absolutely loved every minute of performing. Glasgow was insane, as always, the Glasgow music scene attracts so many different people and really gives artists that platform to share and expand their music. But nothing beats playing in Linlithgow, there’s a massive sense of belonging and comfort within the home music scene. It’s as though everyone is up there with you, cheering you every second of the way.”
Looking a little further down the road, Oliver will be calling on every inch of that musical upbringing as she continues to write and record new material. She also has her eye on the bigger stages well into 2022.
Exciting things are coming,” she says. “I’m currently in the mists of recording two new singles that will be released early 2022 – these are some of my most favourite works so I can’t wait to share them.
“I’m hoping to just keep doing what I’m doing in the future, performing for enjoyment and feeling free – it’s all about loving what you’re doing, and I hope that continues.”
LISTEN: Christie Oliver on Spotify
Fraser McLean, a Bathgate native, also comes from a musical family. His dad Stuart has been active in the scene for a long time and his brother Cameron is well known in his own right for work with Pyro and Silvi.
A keen craftsman for the art, the 18-year-old takes great care with his lyrics and focuses on trying to forge something meaningful between the song and the listener.
He says: “As a songwriter, I am very passionate about lyrics, they are as big a part of my songs as the music. I would love if everyone could connect with my lyrics and take away something that is personal to them, that would be a victory for me. I would also want the audience at my live shows to walk away with the same buzz I get from going to hear someone I enjoy.”
Naturally, it doesn’t hurt to grow up in live music heart of the West Lothian scene and McLean highlights the open arms feel from prospective venues and fellow artists as a key driver for him.
Bathgate native, Fraser McLean
“I think there is massive support between artists,” he adds. “We all support and share each other’s material and get behind each other. It’s a tough enough Industry to crack so the fact that there is mutual love I think helps the scene.
“There are also some great venues in Bathgate that encourage original live music – Smith’s Music Venue, Dreadnought Rock, Purple Orange Arts Venue, Midnight Breakfast Club. There are also various pubs that put on live music every week – it’s a good scene for being out of a city.
On the year ahead, he adds: “Over lockdown, I formed a band and have been excited to get out and perform new material and old with the band. I have a few new songs in the bank ready to be recorded and released. My next gig in on December 10 in Smiths, Bathgate, supporting another great West Lothian band Mark Sharp and the Bicycle Thieves.
“I have an Edinburgh and Glasgow show planned for early next year and I’m looking forward to eventually playing Party in the Palace in August 2022 – it’s been cancelled for two years due to Covid so it’s been a long-time coming.
“My current goal is to do a Scottish tour. I would love to play all the Scottish city’s finishing off in Bathgate with a hometown gig. It’s something I’m working on for next year. West Lothian is always a special place for me to play as it’s my hometown. I always have a buzz about me when playing in West Lothian as the crowd is always bouncing.”
LISTEN: Fraser McLean on Spotify
McLean is not the only teenager aiming to navigate the perilous music industry – not by a long shot. Jake Roberts, another Bathgate youngster, is currently riding the wave of his latest release Shine a Light as well as a few impressive tour dates across the country.
At only 19, it’s clear he is still just starting out, but takes a lot of heart from roaming the old stomping grounds of some of Scotland’s biggest acts.
He reflects: “It is nice seeing so many West Lothian artists like The Snuts, Lewis Capaldi and Dylan Fraser make it big. I believe people become influenced by the places they grow up in. Seeing local artists like them make it big helps small artists like me to become inspired and to keep trying.
He adds: “It is cool to play venues in West Lothian like the Purple Orange in Bathgate that Lewis Capaldi and Luke La Volpe played before their careers kicked off. It is a cool feeling and gives you the motivation to follow in their footsteps.”
Starting out in the local scene has been a sound apprenticeship thus far for Roberts, but no matter where he goes on to in the future, he is not likely to forget his debut set any time soon.
Jake Roberts, from Bathgate
He says: “Something I always love about playing West Lothian is the atmosphere the gigs have there.
“My first gig was a support slot for an English band on their debut Scottish tour at the Midnight Breakfast Club in Bathgate. The promoter of the gig abandoned ship a few weeks beforehand. However, we decided to keep the gig going – ran by ourselves – and see what we could make of it. It was a success. Having the crowd be so supportive and engaged to the music made the night worth it.
“That was one of my favourite gigs I have played. West Lothian crowds are some of the most supportive and energetic that I have seen, which is what makes WL stand out in Scotland for me and always makes it a blast to play at.”
LISTEN: Jake Roberts on Spotify
Indeed, the atmosphere of West Lothian gigs is a concept that comes up time and time again, and not only from artists just starting out. Mark Deans has been performing since 2015 and still feels there is nothing quite like it.
He says: “It’s always fun playing in West Lothian, easy as that. The people are bonkers, and the crowds are always up for singing along with you; there isn’t a place quite like it as far as I've experienced.
“I’ve played in Glasgow and Edinburgh in bands and Edinburgh and a bunch of other places myself and I honestly believe that West Lothian crowds are the friendliest, most up-for-it folk you will find in Scotland.”
The Livingston man feels the area benefits from having a “melting pot” of talented artists who will only be emboldened by the exploits of West Lothian’s huge stars tearing it up across the world.
“Success breeds success,” he adds. “It’s a really amazing scene to be a part of at the moment.
Livingston's Mark Deans
“Seeing people becoming successful after years of plugging away always helps – it shines a light on the whole group who have been paddling away for years, treading water.”
The 30-year-old still has lots to accomplish and has a return to performing firmly in his mind – clearly, his passion for the craft has not diminished over the years.
“Music is the most amazing thing,” he says. “I just knew that I wanted to play and after being in and out of bands for a long time I decided to go my own road and just started writing. Before too long I had myself a wee catalogue.
“The idea that people are out there, listening to my music and feeling something, as cheesy as that sounds, [means a lot]. When someone comes up out of the blue and tells you your music has affected them in some way, it really makes it worth the struggle.
“I’m hoping, at some point, to have a full venue of people singing all my words back to me, that is it really, it’s getting there slowly but surely.”
Amy Baillie is another experienced performer in the West Lothian area, with more than ten years on the circuit. The Broxburn native – known for her mix of folk, country and blues – made her live debut at around 11-12 years old, now having spent more than half of her life as a musician.
She picked up a lot of jamming with the Brack N File, formerly Rankin File, including bandmates Tony Mitchell, Rick Nickerson and her own grandmother. And while she admits to having a desire to go on tour one day, Baillie knows she’ll always feel welcome in West Lothian for a show.
The 25-year-old says: “I think what makes West Lothian different to the rest of Scotland, is we love to join in. Any upbeat song that you can sing along to – we sure will!
“My first show in West Lothian was in September 2010 in a bar called Harleys in Bathgate which is now unfortunately closed. I performed at this gig along with another couple of young musicians, through a fantastic organisation called YAP. They were incredibly encouraging and ran a lot of workshops for first-time songwriters and performers. I was heavily involved in gigging with them, and I met many fantastic musicians over the years, all who have shaped me into the performer I am today.”
Baillie has a headline slot set down for Leith Folk Club on March 22, next year, with a support slot at the same venue with Rab Noakes before that.
She says: “I am very excited about having my own show. I’ve been playing at Leith Folk Club since I was 14 – my first gig was a support slot for Old Dollar Bill.
“I love performing to a variety of different people,” she adds. “I adore when people sing along - If people have enjoyed my music and feel happy when they’ve walked away from a gig, then my work is done.”
MORE: Amy Baillie Music on Facebook
At the other end of the county is Nikki McDonald, who has been gigging since her late teens. The Armadale songwriter, formerly of heavy rock band Kyokudo, is currently working on an album but has no date set for release.
While the West Lothian has changed and developed over the years, her love for it has endured. It is an area close to her heart, and always will be.
She says: “My first gig in West Lothian was at my hometown in Armadale, in the Corrie Bar. It was a very supportive environment, and I regularly return there as a professional musician. Many of the staff and regulars remember me from when I was little, first playing a borrowed guitar, and it’s lovely playing for them and catching up.
“I also play in cafebar 1912 regularly, the owner was one of the first restaurant owners to take me seriously and has been a big part of my confidence growth as a musician. The support from places like this, and the Corrie Bar, is how I became the musician I am today.”
MORE: Nikki McDonald Music on Facebook
Adriana Spina is a songwriter with a mission in mind. She is currently working on her third album, due out next year, with her desire to produce music unabated over the years.
The singer, who grew up in Mid Calder and Murieston, says: “I grew up in bands in Livingston in the 90s and what a great time it was. There were loads of great places to play and a pretty devoted audience who went out of their way to support the bands that were around at the time - Oscars, Harburn Hall and Craigsfarm were always, well, colourful occasions! Always a great energy and a really positive and supportive network of bands.”
“2022 is going to be my year,” she adds. “In my next record, I am reflecting on the female experience, outside of what would be considered ‘normal’ expectations, exploring what it means to be a woman if you are not a mother or wife, looking at the other aspects of life that in our demographic would often not be reflected in contemporary genres of music. That being the case, I hope that it will chime with other women – and of course, those non-women who also identify with the themes of identity and expectation.
“I plan to tour when it comes out, and get my music in front of as many people as possible. I will be bringing out a handful of singles prior to the album launch, so keep your eyes open mid-year.”
So many artists will be looking to make 2022 a big year, with the likes of Grant Kilpatrick aiming to hit the ground running early doors. The 31-year-old will release You’re Found on January 14 with live shows to support.
He thinks back to his first gig – playing to a massive crowd at The Regal Theatre as a 14-year-old. Opportunities seemed endless at the time.
He recalls: “West Lothian, and specifically Livi, has always had some sort of music scene. There was always battle of the bands competitions happening at the time so we all just got stuck in.
“Places like Harleys and Livi Nightspot always had great gigs along with The Dreadnought and The Black Bull in Mid Calder. Sadly a few of these places don't exist anymore and it's a real shame considering the quality of music coming out now. You can always count on a decent atmosphere at a West Lothian gig though.”
The Mid Calder man, previously of A Torn Mind and Gunnison, came up when battle of the bands raged in the area and remains hooked on providing a little high-energy relief to all through his live shows.
“It's always hard to describe your own music. Loud exciting indie rock? I guess I'm a singer-songwriter, but I've never wanted to just deliver straight-ahead singer-songwriter music (strumming away on an acoustic guitar). I think there are plenty of people already doing that and who do it far better than me. So, if I can provide a noisier alternative then that's cool. Maybe it's anti-singer-songwriter?
“In terms of what's kept me going, it's got to do with putting your ideas out there and performing in front of people. I don't think it gets much better than that really. Seeing people enjoying something that you've created from nothing never seems to get old.
He adds: “I've got a ton of new singles coming out next year. I've been sitting on these for a while so I'm very excited to get them out. Also got a cheeky headline show coming up in January... Let's go!”
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