Over the past few weeks, Radar's Editor and Entertainment Editor judged at the 'Live At Your Local' event at the Old School House. Radar interviewed the finalists 'Black Tiles', 'Marley Ann' and 'Ella Winter & Martin JJ Simpson'.
On Monday 26th June the Live At Your Local Old School House final was held to decide which act would be chosen to move onto the regional final. The three finalists were: Black Tiles, Marley Ann and Ella Winter & Martin JJ Simpson.
Before the final began Radar sat down for a chat with each of the finalists.
Black Tiles
The indie rock band, Black Tiles, have been creating waves in the Aberdeen music scene for a while now and it’s easy to see why.
What 3 words would you use to best describe your music?
Funky, fresh, good
What made you guys as a band get together?
Kieran: I guess we just happened to know each other and we found Jan on the internet
Tilly: Us three (Tilly, Kieran and Liam) went to school together, [created a] school band then we literally did find Jan on the internet.
Individually, what artists do you look up to?
K: Biffy Clyro
Liam: The first one in my head is ABBA because in my dad’s car that’s what I was listening to
Jan: I’m gonna go with Chic
T: And me Kate Bush, hand’s down Kate Bush
Other than ‘Live At Your Local’ what have you been up to?
T: We’re doing Eruption at Krakatoa, we played before in Krakatoa and we’re playing again in August
K: There’s word of a Fresher’s one in UnderDog but nothing’s really confirmed yet
T: Yeah, because it’s the guys we played in the heat with, Bitterwood, we got chatting after the heat and they were organising one there
What are your plans for the future?
T: We’ve been working on an EP and a music video for the title track
Marley Ann
Marley Ann was the second act to be put through to the final. She won over the judges with her subtlety and vocal range; which is exceptional.
She performed her original song ‘Resurrection’ which is a compelling track and it shows off her vocal abilities at their best.
How would you best describe your music?
Dreamy: I use a lot of major 7th chords and it’s quite subtle
What inspired you to get into music?
I’ve always been inspired by a lot of artists but I started playing when I first got a guitar when I was quite young so that spurred me on but of course the Gorillaz and Pixies are big influences
Other than ‘Live At Your Local’ what have you been up to?
I just released my debut single ‘Something More’ on SoundCloud and just gigging about just now and enjoying meeting new people and experiencing new things
What are your plans for the future?
To just keep going and releasing more music and hopefully finding some people who like my music and just continue doing that and build upon what I’m doing already
Ella Winter & Martin JJ Simpson
Ella and Martin were the third and final act to get put through to the Old School House final of Live At Your Local. They won the judges over with Ella’s originals, including ‘Rude’ and their incredible cover of Alanis Morissette's ‘You Oughta Know’.
The duo have been gigging together for less than a month; which is hard to believe when you hear them perform.
What 3 words would you use to best describe your music?
Martin - Emotional
Ella - Unique
E (to Radar) - What would you think it would be?
Radar - Soulful
E - Oh, good one
M - Let’s go with that
What artists inspired you to get into music?
E - Mine are Alanis Morissette,
M - This is gonna differ massively
E - A band called Starsailor
M - I’m gonna throw in Ryan Adams
E - Adele majorly made me find my voice
M - Guilty pleasure music isn’t it
M - I like a lot of old school stuff as well
Other than ‘Live At Your Local’ what have you guys been up to?
E - Oh my god it has been out the door
M - Well we’ve only been doing this for two weeks
E - We’ve created our Facebook page and it has gone nuts
M - We’ve been booking gigs like everyday
E - We’re opening the airport
E - Just a lot of gigs
M - We were gigging last night
E - On Friday we’re playing at Lil C’s and then on Saturday we’re playing at Drummonds
M - So, a busy busy week
What are your plans for the future?
E - To get the album sorted
M - Gig as much as possible and get the album recorded
M - See what happens in this competition
E - If we get through I might cry
M - There might be tears
Picking a winner was a tough decision but the judges finally came to a decision. Ella Winter & Martin JJ Simpson took home the crown; after giving an outstanding performance and blowing away the judges they move forward to the regional finals in Glasgow in July.