The Courier & Advertiser (Perth and Perthshire Edition)
Album of songs by tragic musician to be released
Proceeds will raise awareness of mental health issues among men
The music of a talented Angus high school careers adviser who took his own life is to be released in Dundee following a successful crowdfunding campaign launched by an old friend.
Dundee University graduate and former civil servant Graeme Scott, 39, who was employed by Skills Development Scotland and worked as a careers adviser at Webster’s High School, Kirriemuir, and Carnoustie High School, died during a battle with depression.
In June, his friend and former band mate Andy McDiarmid, 37, formerly of Newburgh, and now Glasgow, collaborated with Assai Record Shop in Broughty Ferry to create and promote an LP of Graeme’s songs.
The aim was for proceeds to go to Scottish charity Brothers in Arms to raise awareness of mental health issues among men.
Andy confirmed – following an appeal through social media channels and in The Courier – an album called “Back on the Outside: The Songs of Graeme Scott” will be released at Assai Record Shop in Union Street on September 28.
“The fundraiser went better than expected,” said Andy, who recently completed a PhD and is an associate member of staff at Dundee University,” he said.
“I was really moved by the generosity of people. I also received some lovely messages from those who had known Graeme over the years; other musicians, workmates, even the parents of students that he had helped.
“Originally, I thought about just doing a 7” single but that grew into a 10” EP.
“After the idea was launched, I contacted members of Graeme’s old bands and about 20 new songs appeared. The quality of these songs was just amazing – it actually made narrowing them down really hard.
“So now it has ended up being a 12-track full length album, featuring material from Graeme’s bands Moscow Raid and The Mercurials, as well as his solo stuff.
“To be honest there was enough
I contacted members of Graeme’s old bands and about 20 new songs appeared. ANDY MCDIARMID
material for two albums, and also a covers album as well.”
Andy said extra costs were unexpectedly incurred as rough demo tracks had to be remastered for vinyl.
However, this was covered by donations and fortunately an engineer originally from Dundee now running his studio in Finland – Robin Sutherland at Esko Mastering – did a “fantastic job”.
The artwork was provided by renowned Dundee-based illustrator Scott Balmer, and it is “mind-blowingly good”, said Andy.
“Graeme was a huge fan of all things Creation Records,”he added.
“He loved Primal Scream, the Jesus and Mary Chain, Oasis – he was originally from the west coast, so I think he took a lot of inspiration from what Creation achieved.
“I think he would be blown away to know that Wattie Duncan, guitar player with the Jasmine Minks – who signed with Creation in the early 80s – donated to the project and will have a copy of the record in his collection.”