'It’s for the moments when you find yourself lost and overwhelmed, questioning what to hold on to or stand for'
Juell on her new single 'Release', more names for Black Isle Calling, new music festival for Loch Lomond, congratulations to Becky Sikasa and Govan hits a high note
When tastemakers like Spotify and radio influencers such as NRK P3 pick up on your trail, you know you are heading in the right direction. Get asked to open for the likes of Sigrid on tour, that journey looks like it has a destination.
For Juell, though, it is beginning to look like she might just have arrived.
Her new single ‘Release’ perhaps reflects that. It’s been a long time coming for the artist from Trondheim, as the Norwegian producer and artist looks to map out her music.
“Release goes out to people who are struggling with finding a sense of belonging and purpose,” she says, “It’s for the moments when you find yourself lost and overwhelmed, questioning what to hold on to or stand for.
“While being a plea for relief and peace of mind, it is also a declaration of resilience. Channeling a childish hope to have it all figured out, looking into the future and finding confidence and fulfillment. One day, I’ll have the answers.”
She seesaws between heavy rock and pop, yet her new single takes on a slightly more mature and reflective tone. Her music can probably best be summed up as Indie Rock. This is maybe somewhere in between.
The song also features her performance bandmates bassist of Eskil Elias Foyn Bruntvedt, drummer Bjørn André Syverinsen, and keyboardist Johannes Rønning. Juell has also included cellist Selma Sophie Tudor Edwards Granly, whose playing adds a rich, warm depth to the track.
Her musical tapestry was informed in part from time in an Oslo underground punk/stoner band.
“It took me a while to discover my own musical taste,” says Juell. “My first memory of an eye-opening musical experience was hearing ‘Complicated’ by Avril Lavigne. I just thought she was the coolest person ever. In my teens I started listening to traditional rock and heavier music like doom/stoner. I loved Led Zeppelin, Pink Floyd and Hole with Courtney Love’s raw and angry energy. I skipped school to go to a Metallica concert in Oslo and got busted on the bus ride there.”
Photo credit: Suki-Mei Hannan, Single cover: Mia Hjertø
🎙️New Podcast: Wide Events and Off The Record Scotland’s events co-ordinator Kitt Carr joined the podcast to talk about the amazing work they are doing to smash down barriers for young professionals hoping to enter the music industry. She also reveals her own early hopes of performing, about how her own journey has led to enabling others, and the one act she thinks we should all be listening too right now.
Also, look out for the latest New From Scotland live event taking place 1 and 2 May across two of Edinburgh’s best known venues.
🗞 NEWS
🗞 Becky Sikasa has been crowned winner of this year’s BBC Introducing Scottish Act of the Year. You can view the final here.(BBC)
🗞 Congratulations to Deacon Blue who have gone straight in at the top of the Official Scottish Album Charts with The Great Western Road (Official Charts).
🗞 SMIA’s CEO and Creative Director Robert Kilpatrick has been selected as a juror for the first London edition of SXSX on June 2 - 5. (SWSX London)
🗞 The opening date for the new Dundee LiveHouse venue has been slated for Friday, May 2 featuring a DJ set from Craig Charles. (The Courier)
🎵 MUSIC
🎵 Peter Capaldi’s new album Sweet Illusions was released on 28 March by Last Night From Glasgow. (The Herald)
🎵 Self Esteem is playing three Scottish dates in September, on the 16th at the Usher Hall in Edinburgh but20/21 at Barrowland in Glasgow. (Self Esteem)
🎵 Low Light Listening Lounge will perform at Leith Depot in June. (See Tickets)
🎵 Singer-songwriter Laura Silverstone returns to Glasgow for a Tartan Day gig at The Clutha Bar on Sunday, 6 April to kick-off her ‘Dare To’ European tour. (Laura Silverstone)
🎵 And this is a lovely read about The Associates by journalist Russell Leadbetter (The Herald)
🇳🇴 NORWAY
🇳🇴 Anna of the North is currently working in London and confirmed a new album is coming this year. She also gets mentioned in a new book ‘Better Than The Movies’ which isn’t something that happens to you every day now, is it? (Anna of the North)
🇳🇴 Aurora is also featured away from her norm, after Through The Eyes of A Child was included in the soundtrack for the critically acclaimed Netflix show #Adolesence
🇳🇴 @ThisIsSigrid on Insta is now, well, @Sigrid to her half a million followers as the Ålesund star’s team updates websites, pushes the social media campaign button to go and readies the tour dates ahead of brand new music dropping. Also, what’s with the secret jellyfish appearing on her website? (Sigrid)
🇳🇴 Check out the latest single from Iris Caltwait ‘these are hard times (Say the Words!)’ and put it on repeat.
🇳🇴 Friend of the podcast Sara Fjeldvær has just been named among the 100 artists to watch in 2025 by Impala & YouTube, along with fellow Norwegian talent Keiino and Odin Staveland. (Impala)
🇳🇴 Vier.Live has a powerful new app in Beta mode and it is already looking like a very impressive addition to what remains one of our favourite live music streaming platforms (Vier Live)
🎪 FESTIVALS
🎪 Govan Music Festival staged four days of music and community over the weekend, with around 300 musicians and participants representing a kaleidoscope of musical genres, from indie and world music to classical, Flamenco and hip-hop. Glasgow singer-songwriter Ant Thomaz, headline sets from acclaimed local artists Becci Wallace and Steg G who launched their new album were among the highlights, along with a free Govan Schools Concert which brought together pupils from schools across Govan to share music with one another.
Paul MacAlindin, Artistic Director of The Glasgow Barons and Govan Music Festival, said:
“It feels like we’ve cemented our place as a vital cultural event in Glasgow and Scotland’s arts calendar. Govan was absolutely buzzing with beats of all different kinds, celebrating not only the immense talent within our community, but the meaningful connections and inspiration to be found in venues on our doorstep. There was a real sense of pride, inclusion and spirit among musicians and audiences alike and I would like to thank everyone who joined us, got behind this year’s festival and made it such a success.”
🎪 Loch Lomond Unplugged is the name of a new festival planned for 24 and 25 May hosted by Jim Gellatly, with acts being urged to apply to play now (Glasgow Times)
🎪 Black Isle Calling have added the Kinnaris Quintet, Tom McGuire & The Brassholes, LUSA, Rob Heron and The Tea Pad Orchestra, Fright Years, The Dazed Digital Age, Delap & Andie to their line up. (Black Isle Calling)
🎪 There’s a good read with the founders of Skye Live about their early days and the countdown to their tenth anniversary celebrations. (The Herald)
🎪 Day tickets are now live for both HebCelt Festival and Live in Loch Goil.
🤝 OPPORTUNITIES
🤝 Off The Record Scotland are holding an online session on Wednesday, 02 April, all about Building Your Live Audience. Speakers include Including 👉 Emer Marcus (@emermarcus), Kat Dryburgh (@katdryburgh), Kitt Carr (@widedays), Meg Denholm (DF Concerts & Events), Robbie McNicol (@forgettingthefutureuk). (OTR Scot)
🎶 PLAYLISTS