Postcards from Scotland: Scottish Independent Music 1983-1995

In the mid-1980s, Scotland's independent music scene underwent a radical transformation, with many post-punk bands breaking up or moving south to chase major labels in London. This vacuum was filled by a new wave of young musicians who were determined to remake the scene in their own image. Grant McPhee's oral history, "Postcards from Scotland," chronicles this transformation, featuring over 100 interviews with key players such as the Cocteau Twins, Shop Assistants, Teenage Fanclub, The Jesus and Mary Chain, and Primal Scream. The book explores the lives and careers of these artists, their influences, and the impact they had on the independent music scene.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 432 pages
Publication date: 20 June 2024
Publisher: Omnibus Press

By 1983, a significant number of Scotland's post-punk bands had disbanded or relocated to London in pursuit of major record labels. This void was swiftly filled by a wave of young musicians who were driven to reshape the local music scene according to their vision. In this captivating and insightful oral history, Grant McPhee takes us on a journey through the radical transformation of Scotland's independent music scene from 1983 to 1995. Drawing from over 100 interviews with the key figures of the era, McPhee presents their accounts in their own words, capturing the essence of the Cocteau Twins, Shop Assistants, Teenage Fanclub, The Jesus and Mary Chain, Primal Scream, and many other influential bands.

Postcards from Scotland is a definitive account of the radicals, misfits, and experimentalists who played a pivotal role in shaping the independent music landscape of today. Through a combination of archival photographs and firsthand accounts, McPhee weaves a rich tapestry of the era, shedding light on the struggles, triumphs, and enduring legacy of Scotland's independent music scene.

This oral history not only provides a valuable historical record but also serves as a tribute to the passion, creativity, and determination of the musicians who paved the way for the contemporary independent music scene. It serves as a reminder of the power of music to inspire, challenge, and transform, and of the enduring spirit of innovation and experimentation that continues to thrive in the world of independent music.

Weight: 944g
Dimension: 170 x 243 x 46 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781913172473