Airdrie & Coatbridge Advertiser
Musicians team up for exciting new project
Coatbridge musicians Pete Macleod and Graeme Ferguson have teamed up for a new collaborative project – and are now celebrating the release of the group’s debut.
The pair have joined forces with Welsh DJ and producer Brandon Lee to form new group 3Soul, whose first single, Energy, was released earlier this month.
Describing themselves as “an alternative dance group bringing fresh, progressive sounds to its audience”, they are now planning further projects as they build on their impressive partnership.
Singer-songwriter Pete and fellow local resident Graeme, a bassist and producer, had previously worked together over many years, but the new trio was sparked after meeting Brandon at K-fest in Rhyl back in 2019.
Pete says the collaboration is “win, win, win”, adding: “Fergy and I had always worked well together, but Brandon is a major piece of the puzzle when it comes to 3Soul.
“We started travelling to Wales to work on things and it was obvious there was something worth exploring; we’re something very different as a unit.
“Sometimes you meet people and you just know there is something there. Now we’re making music the three of us like, and we hope everyone else can enjoy it.”
Debut single Energy is described as “a poignant look at the everyday struggles of life and the ongoing battle to make positive, forward-thinking choices” – and made an additional splash with its release being accompanied by “a psychedelic visual art video”.
Pete said: “Most times in life you have to fight for the things you want, even for life itself – there’s an effort of positive energy required from us, and that’s what life is to me.
“As a line in the song goes, ‘I’m a product of my own positivity.’ It’s an attitude, an energy, and a positive one at that.
“Obviously, everyone is going through tough times at the moment and the uncertainty is testing everyone’s patience; hopefully, our music can lighten a few moods.”
He has previously enjoyed solo successes and saw his single Firing Line top the UK physical singles chart a year ago.
The singer-songwriter said: “3Soul is different for me because it’s a collective force behind the music as opposed to working on my own.
“It’s not too far a departure from what I was doing with Youth for my second album, Crestfallen; and it’s not something that’s forced from my perspective.
“We don’t have any pressure on us and aren’t too concerned with charts or anything like that – it’s all about working together to produce something authentic that we all like, and I’m making music with good mates who are both very talented in their own right.”
Graeme told how he has taken on new creative challenges through 3Soul, saying: “I’ve been playing bass and producing music and have worked with Pete on many projects over the years. I’ve played live gigs all over the place, but I’m not used to being part of the writing process as much.
“Working in 3Soul has opened up a new chapter in music for me, especially the production aspect which is a whole different side of it – meeting Brandon and seeing that process has been inspiring, and long may it continue.”
The trio’s music is available through their website at www.3soul.co.uk/ and the group can also be found on Facebook.
Alex Neil is calling on North Lanarkshire Council to ensure council tax is frozen in the year ahead to “provide financial relief to thousands of local households during tough times”.
The Airdrie & Shotts MSP noted that the Holyrood budget has assigned £90m in funding to cover the cost – but council leader Jim Logue has accused the Scottish Government of “holding councils to ransom” on the issue.
Figures from the Scottish Government indicate that North Lanarkshire would receive £4.64m to freeze the current council tax rates, which would maintain Band D costs at £1221.25 for the 12 months ahead after successive rises in each of the past three years.
North Lanarkshire’s budget for the year ahead will be set at a meeting of councillors on March 2 at which council tax rates for the year ahead will be determined, along with any cuts required to balance its books – with Councillor Logue saying the authority faces £57m of savings over the next three years.
Mr Neil said: “We all know the financial impact that this global pandemic has had, so it’s great news that the Scottish Government has sought to provide relief to households by supporting local authorities to freeze council tax for the coming year.
“If North Lanarkshire Council chooses to do the right thing and freeze rates, they will be fully supported to the tune of £4.64m – it’s time they gave local residents that assurance.”
Airdrie Central representative Councillor Logue said: “It’s appalling that the SNP are holding councils to ransom on council tax; threatening to withdraw funding if authorities don’t do as the Scottish Government ask shows contempt for their democratic autonomy in delivering local services.
“The Scottish Government budget once again fails to provide sufficient funding to maintain vital local services in our communities – the proposed settlement to all councils falls well short of the budget increase from Westminster.
“Yet again we will be faced with having to cut services or jobs to balance the books; every SNP councillor, MSP and MP in North Lanarkshire has a responsibility to join us in fighting for their constituents.”
An animal welfare charity has issued an update about bogus inspectors in Lanarkshire after receiving intelligence from a member of the public.
The Scottish SPCA released information after learning of people posing as inspectors to dupe others into handing over their animals.
It had previously been reported that the fraudsters have been using a white van with black writing.
Now it is understood that the fake agents are also using a black van with white writing, very similar to the Scottish SPCA’S fleet, within the Lanarkshire area.
Chief superintendent Mike Flynn said: “Thankfully the member of the public became suspicious and didn’t hand over their pet.
“We are now asking the public to be aware of anyone which are almost identical to our own vans.
“If someone tells you they are from the RSPCA then please report them immediately as they do not operate at all in Scotland.
“Please be vigilant and keep yourselves and your pets safe.”
Mike added: “While we can legally seize an animal from a property we will only do so if the welfare of the animal is seriously compromised, needs vet treatment or the environment is not safe for the animal to be in.
“Only Police Scotland and the local authority have the same powers.
“Our inspectors will always be in uniform and will be able to provide identification badges with a photo and authorisation.
“Our inspectors will also be happy to provide you with vehicle registration.
“If you are at all unsure about someone who comes to your door as the Scottish SPCA then ask them to wait outside and call us immediately. Our