The sounds you use are very hard-edged and visceral. Were the people around you confused by what you were making?
It was considered quite radical. My schoolmates didn’t connect with the music I enjoyed, and neither did my parents. When I initially shared my aspirations to become a DJ or pursue music full-time, they grounded me for two weeks. “You’re going to become a doctor or pursue a more conventional career,” they insisted. However, I remained steadfast and deeply committed, even as those around me questioned, “What on earth are you doing?” I knew, with absolute certainty, “This is 100% what I want to do.”
What was the music scene in Glasgow like?
I relocated there around age 20 or 21. While Glasgow doesn’t boast the most thriving music scene, it’s the strongest in Scotland. A significant factor in my move was SOPHIE’s continued presence and frequent performances in the city. She was a prominent figure, and The Art School, a Glasgow venue, was incredibly active, hosting nights featuring artists like Arca, Yung Lean, the entire Drain Gang collective, Autechre, and Yves Tumor—a truly eclectic mix. Following SOPHIE’s death, Glasgow experienced a noticeable decline, and I don’t believe it has fully recovered.
Do you remember SOPHIE’s passing well?
I was preparing to move to Glasgow. I was still at my parents’ home, and lockdown restrictions were easing. I recall hearing about SOPHIE’s death and initially dismissing it as a cruel hoax. Then, the news became tragically real. The impact on Glasgow was profound. So many artists were influenced by her, and she was a central figure in the city’s creative landscape. There’s a continued effort to revitalize Glasgow’s music scene, but it hasn’t quite recaptured the same energy since SOPHIE’s passing.
