40 ............... Sunday, February 11, 2018 1SM MUSIC FRONTMAN Murray McLeod admits The Xcerts always feel the heat when they return to Scotland for gigs. The Aberdeen band are now based down in Brighton and travel all over Europe when they are touring. But coming back home is always the most nervewracking gig because it’s in front of friends and family — and the country some say they left behind. Murray, 30, says: “I still go back to Aberdeen a lot and play HOME TIME there as much as I can. I love playing in my home city but . Xcerts there’s added pressure, I think, because we moved out. love playing “We’re the guys who left the city to try to pursue this in Scotland career so I do think there’s added pressure for us. “We need to prove ourselves a bit more — but it’s always a warm welcome.” The group released their third album Hold On To Your Heart last month and recently toured by with popular Nothing But Thieves in Europe. COLAN LAMONT But next month’s gigs in Aberdeen and Glasgow will going through, it would be be one of the first Hold On To Your Heart. What opportunities to play their I’m trying to say is, don’t new material to a home break broken pieces.” crowd. With such an Recent single Feels Like emotional song, Murray Falling In Love debuted on admits he’s not afraid to wear the Radio 1 Rock Show and his heart on his sleeve. also joined the Kerrang!, But he reckons not enough Radio X and MTV Rocks men open up about their playlists. feelings. It is also nearing two And he thinks that million streams on Spotify songwriting should play a key But it’s title track Hold role in letting rip about what Onto Your Heart that Murray you’re really going through. reckons is the real crown He adds: “I basically write jewel of the album. the blueprint of a song and The singer poured his take it into the practice room heart out on the to show the guys what I’ve break-up track. got and then we work He says: “It’s a together where song that we had everyone has to write in order input. for me to “Where I’m at create some Our time now, I’ve had a closure lot of around the experiences to end of a five- together write about year and writing relationship. was lyrics is “I’m not cathartic and kidding when I cheaper than say the words beautiful therapy. Maybe just poured out — MURRAY MCLEOD down the line I’ll of me as if they’d be more into already been written storytelling and Bruce and it took just 15 Springsteen-esque stuff. minutes from writing the first But I like songs that can be A warm line to recording the whole welcomed universally, I con- thing. “Listening back, in my nect with them the most and mind at least, it almost plays write from my own per- out like a movie montage. sepctive but hope others can “Me and my ex-partner find meaning in them too. experienced some ugly “As a songwriter, you moments during the break-up shouldn’t feel censored in any but that’s not how I wanted way, write from the heart and to remember our time put your guts on the line. together, because our time “That’s what’s required in together was beautiful. my eyes. In this day and age welcome “I wanted to say goodbye in people are told to bottle up a way that hadn’t their feelings. I’m been said before encouraging and I felt like if I everyone to feel could go back in everything.” time and say one lThe Xcerts play thing, to let the Glasgow’s O2 ABC person know that on February 23 and they are worth The Garage in more than the Aberdeen the next pain they are night. Ticket info: is an Xcert PRAISE . latest album seetickets.com ROCKERS RETURN HOME EASY Palace was pretty special for me as it takes place WHERE: Ayr/Glasgow in the town where I grew up. Ever since its first year WHO: Kit Smith (guitar/vocals), Moss Taylor NEW I’ve been involved in helping out. To actually play it (keys/vocals), John Davidson (guitar), George was a lot of fun and the crowd seemed to enjoy McGarrity (bass), Lewis Clarke (drums) MUSIC themselves.” FOR FANS OF: Stevie Wonder, The Average Bass player George McGarrity added: “If ever I White Band, Red Hot Chili Peppers have any doubt about being cut out for playing music I just think of the incredible experience of JIM SAYS: Back in the day I’d get band demos on contemporary funk-pop it truly delivers. Guitarist cassette. Later it was CD-Rs then MP3s. being at Party at the Palace.” John Davidson said: “Bringin’ Me Down is a laid Easy kick off their Scottish tour on Tuesday and In the case of Ayrshire-formed funksters Easy, back, groove-based track discussing the are encouraging fans to look the part. John they approached me in the street and handed me complexities of open relationships. With dual explained: “When it comes to fashion we like to their Easy Does It demo EP on a USB wristband. vocals and a killer synth solo it’s unconventional, dress to match our music, wearing the grooviest The tracks were a bit rough, but I got a feel of yet still catchy and memorable as our first single. shirts we can find. We’re offering a free download what they were about. Now based in Glasgow, the We also had our friend Catherine Potter join us to of our single to everyone who wears their own five-piece originally got together at the University record some trumpet which gives the track a great groovy shirt. Don’t be shy!” of the West of Scotland Ayr Campus. lift too.” Catch Easy at Conroy’s Basement in Dundee on Initially, it was just to record one song to help Last summer saw Easy go to France as part of Tuesday. Wednesday they are at Café Drummond out a mate with their Sound Engineering course. an international music exchange. Closer to home in Aberdeen followed by Stirling’s Mediterranéa They must have enjoyed it as they kept on going. they made their festival debut in August on The on Thursday. Friday it’s Sneaky Pete’s in Edin- First dabbling in hip hop as Funkosaurus, they Scottish Sun Break Out Stage at Linlithgow’s burgh then a final blow-out at Audio in Glasgow on soon rebranded as Easy. With the new name Party At The Palace. John said: “Party At The Monday, February 19. came a new sound. Spurred on by classic funk MORE: facebook.com/groovyeasy and soul, they began to find their way. lJim presents a weekly showcase of New Music The promise they showed on the first EP is Watch a video of the band playing on Amazing Radio Sundays 2-4pm. fulfilled with their freshly released debut single at: www.thescottishsun.co.uk amazingradio.com Bringin’ Me Down. A joyous brass-laden slab of jimgellatly.com.