Quinny
Quinny Christmas single Boxing Day Bells released 24 November 2023
Christmas party 21 Dec at Stereo, Glasgow
Quinny, Christmas single, music video and Xmas party, Glasgow, 21 December, Stereo
Quinny burst onto the scene after someone gave him just under £1,000 while busking in Glasgow - he was featured on the STV News and went “a wee bit viral.”
He has since supported acts like Gerry Cinnamon, teamed up with members of Catholic Action, The Vegan Leather and Savage Mansion and been championed by Scotland On Sunday (Artist of the Week for Boxing Day Bells), BBC, Tenement TV, Amazing Radio, NetSounds, Jim Gellatly and more
“..Quinny is known for approaching the Christmas season with plenty of acerbic wit and humour.. an enthralling mix of the raucous and sentimental with witty lyricism and poppy charm” Tenement TV
Boxing Day Bells out 24 November Listen on Spotify | Watch YouTube | Pre-save for discount on gig tickets https://quinny.ffm.to/boxingdaybells
Join Quinny at Stereo, Glasgow on 21 December 2023 for his Crimbo Craptacular with special guests tickets https://offaxisgigs.com/product/quinny/
Describing what Boxing Day Bells is about and that it has become something of a tradition for Quinny to release an alternative Christmas song “I always just try to give a different take on Christmas with my Christmas songs. Boxing Day Bells is about it not really having the same buzz around it as it used to, the idea of rose tinted glasses and nostalgia - kind of not realising that the good old days are always happening - they are right now. The protagonist of the song is basically saying that they feel so miserable at Christmas that they'd rather just sleep through it and wake up on the other side.”
We caught up with Quinny for a blether ahead of his live show at Stereo
Introduce yourself, tell us more about the £940 for busking?
“I’m Quinny, I’m from Paisley, I moved to Australia just before the pandemic. We didn’t ever find the kind stranger, but it was really appreciated, it basically paid for me to release my debut EP, Read All the Rumours.”
How did you get the actor Richard Wilson to star in Christmas Gear?
“So Richard Wilson (best known as Victor Meldrew in One Foot in the Grave) helped support and mentor my brother Martin through drama school. When we were planning and devising the video, together with the filmmaker Joe Lynn, Martin simply asked Richard if he would do it - and he said yes - it was all very, very cool.”
We can see for the past few years it’s become a bit of a tradition for you to release a festive tune and do an accompanying Christmas show, what is Boxing Day Bells about / what have you got planned for your gigs?
“Boxing Day Bells is about Christmas not really having the same buzz around it as it used to, the idea of rose tinted glasses and nostalgia - kind of not realising that the good old days are always happening - they are right now. The protagonist of the song is basically saying that they feel so miserable at Christmas that they'd rather just sleep through it and wake up on the other side. On 7 December I’m playing in Australia and on 21 December I’m back in Glasgow @ Stereo. We’ve got two sets; one all original material celebrating the anniversary of my debut EP Read All the Rumours then another with Christmas music featuring some special guests get TICKETS”
We love the fact you don’t take yourself too seriously, we also understand you’re in a comedy rap band with your brother, how did that come about?
“Yes my brother Martin and I wrote a comedy rap album called The Grand Scheme under the name Jimmy Lit. The video for our song Bam Up was filmed by documentary and Scottish comedy filmmaker Conor Reilly (brother of grammy award-winning musician Tommy Reilly.)”
You’re from Paisley, you currently live in Australia, you lived in London and you’ve toured the UK, the US, and Australia, tell us about your travels?
“I lived in London for 6 years and got a job at the renowned Roundhouse venue in Camden, which was cool as I was working with rising stars like Little Simz, Freya Ridings and Skinny Pelembe as well as collaborating on creative projects for young people with artists such as Jamie Cullum, Angelique Kidjo, Dan Gillespie Sells (The Feeling), Trevor Horn, John Parish and Jane Weaver.
What made you move to the other side of the world?
“I moved to Australia to be with my girlfriend, after a year of long distance following the expiry of her visa. After the Friday the 13th where it became obvious (following the cancellation of the Premier League and SXSW) that COVID was serious business, I packed up my London flat within the space of a day hopped on a train to Glasgow to drop my stuff and left for Melbourne on St Patrick's day. It felt a little mad flying TOWARDS Asia and Melbourne was one of the most locked down cities on the planet - but it saved my relationship!
Tell us more about your music being featured in short films, writing songs for other acts and collaborating in general, that’s pretty cool, how does that all come to fruition?
“Most of my collaborations are with artists I've worked with for years and years in various bands and projects. Lots of the film and visual work comes through connections of Martins. That’s sort of how we split Jimmy Lit, I do the music and he does the character. I did manage to start a little crew in London right enough and I'm getting there in Melbourne. Just takes time. I grew up on the West of Scotland music scene so those roots run deep."
We love hearing about non-musical hobbies, interests and fun facts, is there anything outside of music you enjoy or anything that people might not necessarily know about you?
”Not really a hobby, but I love films and TV - particularly comedy and sci fi. I was probably more excited about Star Trek than Martin was. Currently working my way through the whole Star Wars canon at the moment - Half way through the Clone Wars series for the first time. Much better than I thought it'd be.
I also love hillwalking. Been some good walks in Australia but nothing much compares to Ben Lomond for me. Walking in the rain is one thing, but walking up from Wallaman Falls in the Queensland summer is a type of discomfort I won't forget quickly!"
Quinny is in high demand as a songwriter and has enjoyed syncs on short films and writing for other acts including most recently for Manchester / Glasgow band Marouli’s debut LP. He’s has toured the UK, in his adopted home Australia and in the US and performs in comedy rap band Jimmy Lit with his brother, Martin Quinn (Star Trek, Derry Girls, Limmy's Show)
Tickets 21 December 2023 at Stereo https://offaxisgigs.com/product/quinny/ | Pre-save Boxing Day Bells for discount tickets https://quinny.ffm.to/boxingdaybells | Links https://linktr.ee/quinnysmusic
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