Graduate Spotlight – The Rooks

Tell us about the history of The Rooks, how did you end up forming the band and what was your intention behind it and what influences do you draw from?

The group was first formed at school. We all had similar tastes and were getting really into bands like The Strokes at the time. Ross had wanted to start a group and asked Cammy [Guitar] and Coll [Drums] to head in to practice with me and him in a music cupboard after school, that was how we got going. Kieran had a ticket for our first show, and after the pandemic got the show cancelled, he ended up playing the debut show with us. – M

Influences vary through us all, but for now it comes back round to groups like Kings of Leon, The Strokes and Stereophonics. We’ve got that kind of sound going on in the records. – R

Can you share with us any exciting upcoming music / projects that you are currently on?

Our third single, ‘Get Up’, is out February 21st. Not sure when this interview is out, but that’s the newest record we’ll have out. Give it a listen. – M

We’re working closely with Jim Lowe [Stereophonics, Taylor Swift] at the moment. We’ve been recording with Jim at his studio throughout the last year and again this year, we’re learning a lot about the production of records and we’re getting more comfortable with trying our ideas and working to find out more of what the songs are saying and what we want them to say. – R

On the live front, we’ve a few things planned but there’s details to iron, so soon enough we’ll have it out there. – M

How did Riverside Music College help you in navigating the industry after you left? What skills / knowledge where most useful to you?

I think Riverside is a great place for networking with musicians and industry pros. It can be a hub for ideas, and people to nurture and realise these ideas. I think for us, it was maybe different as we had the group before coming, so not so much about finding a band but finding ways to help ourselves get ahead with it. – M

We still work closely with Shaun Neethling and Tim McAtier who do our live sound and get involved in other projects of ours. Then, working with Duncan helped us realise what the group should sound like, that kind of experience has set us off down the right path. – R

In January, you will play to a sold out room in King Tut’s Wah Wah Hut, what makes you proud to be part of the Glasgow live music scene?

The reaction to the show going on sale was cool to see. We’d anticipated good sales but, three days was great. We’ve been working hard the past year, caught up getting with our first two singles out then getting on some big shows, so the show going so quickly was good to see there’s an appetite to see us do it properly. We’re a live rock and roll band, I think that’s why you start making music. – M

Glasgow is a good place to get started, plenty of venues and lots happening. If you know where to look, you can get performing in the right places to people who will be into your music. Trial and error is usually the way of it, I’d say get out to shows and have a look for yourself. – M

What are your plans for the future? Writing, recording, playing more live shows?

We’ve got some live stuff in the pipeline to be sorted out.

Festival season is soon enough, we’re at ButeFest, Doune The Rabbit Hole. I can say that much just now. A big show at the end of this year – and a few more shows and festival slots we’re working at. – R

Recording wise, we’re constantly back and forth to London for work with Jim but we’re working hard most weeks recording demos in Studio 2 with Tim McAtier. – R

We’re always writing new material, I find it comes for me in cycles. I can’t speak for Ross, but our best are probably when we are both invested, with the songs really saying something musically and lyrically. – M