'We're buzzing about it' - Glasgow's Lavender Lane gear up for new single and King Tut's headline gig

But Lavender Lane – up-and-coming Glasgow pop three-piece – already have a loyal following, rave reviews, a debut single being released next week and their first headline gig, at legendary city venue King Tut’s.

“We actually can’t believe our very first gig is at King Tut’s,” marvels lead singer Ursula Grant.

“It’s an amazing opportunity and we’re buzzing about it.

“The return of live music with audiences in real venues – that’s been a long time coming and we’re just so eager to show people, finally, what we can do.”

Lavender Lane (the name is nothing to do with the Kinks song, says Ursula, more to do with “a Pokemon character and the fact there’s a really beautiful lane beside my house where we got our first band photo taken”) comprises Ursula, 21, on vocals, fellow Glaswegian Matthew Hall, 19, on vocals and guitar, and Euan Clark, 21, from Aberdeen, on guitar.

The trio met at university – all are students on Napier’s Popular Music degree course in Edinburgh – and the band grew out of a class project.

“We just worked so well together, and it all seemed to happen, that we thought – this is actually quite cool, why not start a band?” smiles Ursula.

“It was really difficult in lockdown, not being able to see each other or rehearse together but we were quite strict about having weekly Zoom rehearsals and song-writing sessions.

“We had originally planned to release the single in January but it was a bit of a nightmare when the second lockdown happened, and all the rules kept changing so we couldn’t even get together to do some band photos..”

She sighs: “It’s good to finally be able to release it.”

The single is Blame, a lyrical, summery tune about accepting fault often lies on both sides when a relationship or friendship breaks down.

“It’s something we’ve all felt at some point – the feeling you’re to blame for everything, when you’re not,” says Ursula.

“That’s what we want to do with our songs, we want people to relate to them and feel like it’s their voice being heard.”

She adds, with a laugh: “And also to sing along to, and be happy about…”

The single has been played on BBC Radio Scotland, where BBC Introducing presenters Phoebe I-H and Shereen Cutkelvin – who showcase some of the country’s best unsigned, undiscovered and ‘under-the-radar’ music – gave it a warm review.

Ursula grew up in a ‘musical, creative’ household in Glasgow’s west end with big sister Eva, mum Anne-Janine, who is a photographer, and dad James, the successful singer-songwriter and Love and Money frontman.

“My dad is my biggest influence and my biggest supporter, he’s my best pal,” says Ursula. “I love his music.

“But he heard the song for the first time at the same time as everyone else.

“He wasn’t involved at all – I want to be a totally independent artist, my music is very different from his.”

She adds: “We’ve done everything on our own, in terms of production and PR too, although my mum, who is incredibly supportive, did take our first band photo in the lane which was really lovely.”

Ursula had started a media course at City of Glasgow College when she decided to switch to music.

“I’m that child who wanted to be on stage the moment I was born,” she grins. “I did musical theatre until I was 18, sang in a choir until I was 16.

“But at school, I think you end up caring too much about what other people think so you maybe put restrictions on yourself.

“After I started the media course, I realised it was the wrong subject for me. What I really wanted to do was music.”

She adds: “It didn’t have to be singing, necessarily, but I knew it had to be something to do music.”

A well-timed phonecall to Glasgow Kelvin College - who happened to be interviewing prospective students for its music business course the next day - led to a swift change for Ursula.

“I called and asked if they had any spaces, got an interview, and got accepted,” she smiles.

“It was such a great course, I loved it.”

After completing the one-year course at Glasgow Kelvin, Ursula applied to Napier, where she is about to begin her third year.

“I can’t wait to go back, hopefully it will be a more normal year this year,” she agrees.

“I love being there, everyone is so supportive and it’s such a relief being surrounded by like-minded people.

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“There is still a stigma around being a musician, that somehow music isn’t a career, but it is.

“You could do anything, and not be successful, so why not do what you love most and try to be successful in that?”

Blame is out on all streaming platforms on August 13.

Lavender Lane will be at King Tut’s on August 18 – check out the venue’s website and the band’s Facebook and Instagram pages for more information.