photography Neelam Khan Vela

Glasgow’s queer post-punkers Walt Disco drops their debut album Unlearning LP  via Lucky Number. The breathtaking debut is steeped in metamorphoses. 

The band’s gift is in the unique experience of discovery and heartbreak between queer people – something that frontperson James Potter (they/them) explores in depth on songs such as “Weightless”, “Be An Actor” and “Hold Yourself As High As Her”.

LISTEN HERE https://open.spotify.com/album/4LH9cIskzVCHoRYMXx72PZ

Energetic single “How Cool Are You?”, also released today, shines with ease; a stomping live anthem and fan favorite after the band’s run of sold-out UK dates last autumn – the track prances and parades its way through three minutes of glaring pop pomposity. 

The video was created with Eric J Liddle and Kasparas Vidunas of Humble Film Productions. The band shares, “This time we wanted to slip into our skates and paint the rink all the colours of the rainbow, flying in the face of the pouting ‘cool crew’ and showing that coolness shouldn’t come at the cost of having fun and accepting yourself!”

What’s your story as a band?

In the past five years we’ve evolved quite a bit. From our start off as a quite jangly guitar pop band to new romantic punks to now. A kind genre-less group with desire to experiment and evoke deep emotion, always with a longing for a powerful melody.

What do you want your music to communicate?

We strive to be equally honest and fantastical, to create a world of mystical freedom.

What are some sources of inspiration for your storytelling?

From exploring gender identity, trying making sense out of life or even romance. I like to try and tell modern stories in a sort of timeless and slightly tongue in-cheek way.

Who is an artist that you look up to more than others today?

St. Vincent and Perfume Genius slay every ounce of our being.

What is the record or artist that made you realize you wanted to be an artist?

Hunky Dory by David Bowie was one of the first 12 inch records that I ever heard and it was definitely an inspiration to me writing my earliest songs.

Tell us about your latest release and how it came about.

We started writing the record almost immediately after Scotland was put into lockdown. Whilst demoing new songs we were learning lots about production and new ways of making sounds, the record was completed just over a year after it was started with a blend of the charming naivety of the early demos and more polished pop production from our newly found experience as well as the help from some mixers and co-producers of the record. It’s safe to say that no song was made in the same way as the last.

What inspires your sound?

At the risk of sounding too Hollywood I guess we’re almost trying to create a soundtrack to our lives.

What’s your favorite tune of yours?

I think it’s a punch up between ‘Those Kept Close’ and ‘If I Had a Perfect Life’ in terms of album tracks. We always have a special spot for our 2020 track ‘Heather’.

Where are some things you really want to accomplish as a band?

I guess rather simply put we hope that making music can sustain us whilst remaining thrilling and joyous as it is for us now.

Favorite lyric you ever wrote?

‘It’s no secret now so before you drown, go on hold yourself as high as her’

This to us means, waste no time in loving the inner goddess inside of you.

Was there ever a moment when you felt like giving up?

Imposter Syndrome is alive and well in the creative industry, this alongside financial hurdles of being a smaller artist can be tough, but music and art is always worth it, to us there is no alternative for our lives.

What is the best advice you’ve ever gotten?

“Life should never be awkward”

Told to me from an older gay Scottish man in a pub. Iconic advice given to an often awkward individual like myself.

Where do you think the next game changer will be in the music industry and entertainment scene?

Walt Disco x x x x x x