The Backline Newsletter - Issue 35

The Backline Newsletter
Issue 35 - Thursday, 29th January 2026

Editorial

There’s a particular kind of energy that comes before a band plays its first show, that mix of anticipation, nerves, and absolute belief that something’s about to start moving. This week’s issue leans into that feeling. Elgin Drive haven’t hit the stage yet, but the intent, ambition, and reference points are already firmly in place. That early clarity matters. It’s the spark that turns rehearsals into momentum, and ideas into something real. As always, this issue is about spotlighting where Scottish music is heading next, not just where it’s already been.

Spotlight Q&A

This Week’s Feature Band: Elgin Drive

1. Who’s in the band, and what do they play?
We have Kellar Harris on rhythm guitar, Marc Baker on lead guitar, Connor Muir on bass guitar, Joe Kane on drums, and Matty Lamb on lead vocals.

2. Describe your sound in 5 words or less.
Loud, Varied, Gritty, Catchy.

3. What was your first gig as a band?
We actually haven’t played our first gig yet, we’ll be supporting Syrena at a sold out show at Sneaky Pete’s in Edinburgh on the 13th of March. It’s a great venue and lineup so we’re really looking forward to it.

4. Biggest show so far and how did it feel?
Again, we haven’t played a show yet so this is hard to answer. However in terms of a big show we’ve been to, a few of us were at the Oasis tour last year. Love them or hate them, the impact they’ve had and continue to have on the industry is matched by few. Being able to witness the music in person and to be a part of that history reminded us of what’s possible.

5. Which Scottish venue feels like home?
Barrowlands in Glasgow is a goal for any Scottish band or artist, and the fact that it’s so ingrained in to the Scottish music scene and Scottish culture in general makes it feel like home to us.

6. If someone’s never heard of you, what song should they start with?
We’d suggest Pretty Glasgow Sky, our debut single we’ve recently released. We’re working on getting more of our songs recorded soon, so we’re looking forward to sharing them.

7. One band or artist you’d love to open for?
One of our shared favourites as a band is Wunderhorse, and that would be a dream come true. We also love The Snuts, so that would also be great.

8. Ever had a song idea (or cover) that totally flopped live?
We initially had our own version of Summertime Sadness by Lana Del Ray as our cover. We liked the song in rehearsals and how it sounded but we felt it slowed our otherwise upbeat set down quite a bit so we decided to replace it. We might bring it back one day.

9. What’s one thing you refuse to compromise on creatively?
We refuse to dilute or change our sound to make the band fit in to a single genre, we all have different influences which causes our songs to differ a lot from one another. The songs sound how they sound, and we make sure there is room for everyone’s creative input.

10. What kind of music do you listen to which is completely different from your band sound?
Despite our tunes being more orientated to an indie audience, we all listen to a wide range of genres and are simply fans of music, all music. Personally speaking, from a lyrical standpoint, 80s hip hop has been a massive influence and a genre which I enjoy listening to. In particular Eric B and Rakim with their gritty beats and wordplay.

Connect with : Elgin Drive
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Essential Gear - Alpine MusicSafe Pro (Musicians’ Earplugs)

Short Description
The Alpine MusicSafe Pro are high-fidelity musicians’ earplugs designed to reduce volume evenly across frequencies, protecting your hearing without killing clarity. They come with interchangeable filters, letting you choose how much attenuation you need for rehearsals, gigs, or standing side-stage.

Why We Love It
Because your ears are your most irreplaceable bit of gear. These don’t muffle or muddy the sound like cheap foam plugs — they simply turn the whole room down. You still hear detail, balance, and feel, just without the ringing the next day.

What It Does
The MusicSafe Pro uses flat-response acoustic filters to lower volume while preserving tone. The three included filters offer different levels of reduction, so you can adapt to loud rehearsals, small venues, or festival stages. They’re reusable, comfortable, and discreet enough to forget you’re wearing them.

Best For
Anyone who plays live. Drummers, guitarists standing near amps, singers battling wedge spill, and promoters who spend their week glued to the front of stages. Especially useful if you’re gigging regularly and want to still enjoy music in ten years’ time.

Bonus Tip
Start wearing them before your ears feel uncomfortable. Hearing damage is cumulative and painless in the moment — protecting early means you won’t have to relearn how loud “normal” should be later on.

Gig of the Week

Suede - 5th February, Usher Hall, Edinburgh
A rare chance to catch one of the defining British bands of the last three decades in a setting that suits both their quieter moments and full-scale grandeur. It’ll be deep cuts, drama, and a crowd that knows every word.

Best of the Rest

Girl Group - 30th January, Nice N Sleazy, Glasgow
Sharp songwriting, attitude, and zero filler. Sleazy remains one of the best rooms in the city to catch bands just before things properly take off.

The Blue Stones - 4th February, Òran Mór, Glasgow
Bluesy, modern, and heavy without trying too hard. A perfect midweek gig for anyone who likes groove driven rock with teeth.

That’s it for this week. Join us next time as we catch up with SYRENA, ahead of their March show with Elgin Drive, plus all the usual Backline essentials.

Got a tip, a gig, a band we should hear, or something worth shouting about in Scottish music? Drop us a line at [email protected].

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