INTERVIEW: Jordan MacKay from The Snuts

The Snuts rise to fame in the UK has been truly remarkable. Selling-out show after show up and down the country, it is not surprising the West-Lothian band have been welcomed all over the world. Have recently finished number #14 in the official UK album charts with their latest EP, ‘Mixtape’ the band is as eager to get on stage as the crowd are to see them. I spoke to drummer, Jordan MacKay about all things The Snuts and the Scottish music scene.

How was growing up in West-Lothian?

Growing up in West Lothian was not bad at all. Lived in an old mining town called Whitburn and while growing up you made your own fun, using garages as football goals and also playing for local football clubs.

Who were your early musical influences?

Pretty cliche on this one but the usual suspects like Libertines, Babyshambles Arctic Monkeys etc.

Glasgow was your first big tune, how was it when you seen how much praise it was receiving?

We recorded the Glasgow demo for 100 quid in our mate James Grants room who still records mixes and masters for upcoming bands so check out Sweet Wave Audio. The song has taken us so far and still gets the same reaction as it did when we first released it so it’s class.

An EP was soon followed after that, how was it releasing your debut EP, The Matador?

We put on a gig in the village next to ours and managed to make £1500 or something and recorded the full demo ep with that in a place called sound station in Livingston which no longer operates sadly. But it was another great stepping stone from the band getting our songs out there so people would know them when we played them live.

You played a massive UK tour which included some iconic towns and cities, how was that?

The last UK tour was immense, all the shows were great and looked great. The time on the road with the boys is always second to none, great laughs and memory’s you’ll cherish forever so it’s safe to say we’re gutted that we’re apart just now when we’re meant to be on tour.

Recently releasing a brand new EP, Mixtape which also finished #14 in the UK album charts. How happy were you with that?

Extremely happy where we finished, we would have been happy to take away a top 40 with an EP. We would have loved it to be top 10 but considering it was just an EP up against the likes of Niall Horan, Stormzy and Lewis Capadi who are all chart giants I think we done alright.

You’ve got a massive gig at Hampden in the summer with Gerry Cinnamon. How are you feeling towards that?

Going to be another great Scottish show, similar to both TRNSMT shows we’ve played the last few years. Class line up and hopefully some sunshine will make it one to remember.

Thoughts on the growing Scottish music scene?

Scottish music scene is booming and everyone can see it. Second to none just now and long may it continue.

Plans for the future?

Lots of things in place for the future can’t delve into it too much with all the uncertainty around social gatherings just now but The Snuts will certainly go above and beyond when we’re all back to normality.

Check out The Snuts latest EP, Mixtape by scrolling to the bottom of the page.