Glasvegas

Glasvegas formed in Glasgow in 2003, James Allan developing a sound that drew on Phil Spector's wall of sound, shoegaze, and the raw emotional directness of Scottish folk music. They signed to Columbia Records and released their debut album 'Glasvegas' (2008) — one of the most acclaimed British debuts of the year.

'Geraldine', 'Daddy's Gone', and 'It's My Own Cheating Heart That Makes Me Cry' were all extraordinary singles. The album showed a band capable of real emotional depth — Allan's lyrics about absent fathers, social workers, and working-class Glasgow life were more honest and more specific than almost anything else in British indie. The album reached number two.

Glasvegas have continued to record and tour. 'Euphoric Heartbreak' (2011) was a strong follow-up. Allan's songwriting remains as emotionally direct as ever. They are one of the most distinctive Scottish bands of their generation.