The Glasgow PodcART

The Ray Summers are a band who create psychedelic, catchy and up beat songs. Lyrics that relate to daily experiences in their lives and a recognisable kaleidoscopic keyboard combined with melodic guitars. They take you back to a time that makes you want to bathe in memories of the ‘love’ generation.

By Alistair Burton

The Ray Summers are one of the many bands that play this year’s Hinterland Festival. We caught up for a chat with Dougie and Jackson, two guitarists from The Ray Summers. They talked about their influences, Hinterland and Alphabeat!

When did the band form and how many members are there?
Dougie: There are 6 of us in total, we formed in January 2008, only a year ago and we are from Falkirk. There are so many great bands coming out of Falkirk now, it is starting to get a scene now. There are really young bands that are established now and getting the chance.

Who would you cite as your influences?
Dougie: Well, there are 6 band members so there is a huge scope. For me old school 60’s, a lot of soul music and a touch of the Mod scene. I think we are all agreed on Ska.

Jackson: The same really, a lot of Soul music and The Beatles

D: You cannot deny our 60’s influence and obviously we love bands like The Coral, The Bees, The Arctic Monkeys. We are obsessed with the old stuff but not scared to listen to new bands.

How would you describe your music?
D: It’s a hard one.

J: Psychedelic, Pop, Ska, Psycho-jazz (laughs)

D: When we rehearse songs can last for up to 15 minutes,  and there can be psychedelic noises and keyboards and we try to tone it down to write a good pop song from it. We would keep that stuff for our bonus CD’s! We made a conscious effort to find a keyboard player to create that psychedelic sound.

J: We definitely like to experiment.

When you song write is it a collective or is there one songwriter?
D: It’s definitely a collective, it usually starts with someone coming in with a wee part

J: Someone else comes in and tries to harmonise, with new songs.

D: Jackson and I like our riffs as do all guitarists but then we try again to tone it down and put more of a Pop sensibility on it.

Is there anywhere you would like to gig that you haven’t yet?
J: The Barrowlands would be nice. We played the Carling Academy which was brilliant, also George Square which was brilliant.

D: We had our first headline show at King Tut’s which sold out, that was brilliant. We don’t really care where we play to be honest we just love playing.

What do you think about the music coming out of Scotland at the moment?
D: Yeah, its not bad there are loads of really cool and inventive people. I don’t know how cutting edge it is. I don’t know if there is anyone breaking barriers.

J: We gig so much that it is hard for us to hear bands so we only hears bits and pieces.

D: We have made loads of friends from Fife, that has a brilliant scene at the moment. The crowds there are always brilliant and always up for it. It is just mental!

Have you ever supported anyone you respect?
D: You might laugh at this but Alphabeat, they right some damn fine Pop tunes. Idlewild were a great one.

J: Paulo Nutini, he was a great guy really nice bloke.

What bands are you looking forward to seeing at Hinterland if you get time?
D: Fangs, they are quite punky and pretty cool. Broken Records, also they are brilliant. We Were Promised Jetpacks, I like a couple of their songs.

What do you find appealing about the festival?
D: I think the mixture of music and art and all things creative, its just brilliant.

J: I think the bands, the good vibes. The crowds are going to be magic.

By Alistair Burton

If you could create a bill for Hinterland that you were on what would it be?
J: I think I would start off with S Club 7 Juniors.

D: I think you have to have the Stones in there somewhere?

J: Aye, I would have the Stone on before us (laughs)

D: Prince, definitely

J: Michael Jackson

D: I would walk out if he was on! Prince is a better dancer and a better songwriter! I would like Paul Simon as well.

J: Crosby, Stills & Nash is also a good one.

What should Hinterland expect from The Ray Summers?
D: A good time probably

J: Just a great performance, great vibes, smiles.

D: I think our tunes can be quite challenging at times but it doesn’t take anything away from the performance. Our performances are usually great.

J: You want to create an atmosphere and stand out and create a great feeling. The best feeling is seeing people enjoy themselves.

By Halina Rifai