Kathy Sledge on Playground Festival, Disco Revivals and more

For some people, performing live is one of the most exhilarating – or petrifying – things that you can do. But for Kathy Sledge of the legendary sibling outfit Sister Sledge, it is hardwired into her very DNA. First acquainted with the stage when she was still in her mid-teens, entertaining lively throngs of people... Read More

David Sneddon on skiving school, Lewis Capaldi and Fame Academy

18 years into his career, Mill caught up with David to discuss his songwriting endeavours, working with mega-stars and his ‘no pressure’ return to the realm of artistry.  Over the course of a whirlwind six months, David Sneddon arguably became Renfrewshire’s most famous export next to the Paisley pattern itself. A fixture on TV... Read More

Evelyn Laurie’s ‘My Scottish Heart’ | First Listen Review

Hailing from right here in Paisley, Evelyn Laurie is a chanteuse with a keen sense of her identity as an artist. Keenly intermingling the worlds of jazz and traditional Scottish music that’s normally rendered in a more folk-based palette, Evelyn is by no means short on ambition and was resoundingly rewarded for it on... Read More

The Sound of Renfrewshire: Bensider

From growing up Lewis to making a new home in Renfrewshire, Graham MacIver has a wealth of life experience to divulge. Now, as the frontman of Bensider, he’s channelling it through intimate folk and Americana. You came to songwriting in your 40s. What inspired you to take the leap? I’ve played music since I... Read More

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