Q&A: John Rush
Resonate Live Showcase 2023 📸: Daanyaal Mohammed
Glasgow based singer-songwriter John Rush with his 'folk tinged pop songs' has played some of Glasgow’s greatest venues such as King Tut’s Wah Wah Hut, O2 Academy, Barrowland Ballroom and most recently, The Royal Concert Hall.
John’s first headline show of 2024 will see him and the band take to the beautiful Cottiers stage in Glasgow’s West End to showcase some of his newest material.
We caught up with John a month after the release of his latest single 'Waitin' for your love to call', just who these “special guests” are at his Cottiers headline (spoiler alert, he doesn’t tell us), and what 2024 has in store for the folk-pop singer-songwriter.
Your latest single dropped last month, could you tell us about 'Waitin' for your love to call', the track's meaning and how it came to be?
“I suppose the track is a bit contradictory, the music is probably the most upbeat I've ever written but ever true to form the lyrics couldn't be sadder haha I think with having being playing with t he band for the past few years it felt right to expand the sound a little from acoustic and vocal which I think we achieved with this track.”
Your next (and potentially only?) headline show in Glasgow this year is at the beautiful Cottiers with a special guest, can you give us some insight on the night?
“We have a few special guests playing with us, some we have played with in the past and one or two that will be first timers. I'm really excited for the show. It will be a different lay out from our previous shows. Suppose you'll need to buy a ticket to see it for yourselves.”
Which Scottish acts are you enjoying listening to at the moment? And who do you think could become the next big thing in Scotland/the UK/internationally?
“Big fan of Julen Santamaria (of Awkward Family Portraits) and of course Alice Faye is just it for me at the moment, can't see past her. And seeing her announce the Rufas Wainwright shows just makes so much sense. Think she'll be on Jools Holland before we know it.”
Tell us your three desert island albums.
“Revolver by The Beatles, Do It Yourself by The Seahorses & maybe Blood on the Tracks by Mr Dylan himself.”
If you could collaborate with anyone on future music, who would it be?
“I think as above Alice Faye, if you're reading this. Let's do something!”
What advice would you give to aspiring musicians who are looking to establish themselves in the Scottish music industry?
“Just be yourself, do what your gut tells you and enjoy yourself. Only happens once as Liam Gallagher once said. Blink and its done. Be happy.”
And finally, what can we expect to see from John Rush throughout the rest of 2024?
“A few more singles and the album. I'm already writing a bit more but doubt I'll release anything soon after the new album so maybe a Christmas show. But I am excited for folk to hear the new album, its a bit different from my debut I must say.”
Check out our Artist of the Week playlist for all past features and follow John Rush here.