Gitarristen Rosie McClune har supportat akter som Rolling Stones, Sex Pistols och Alice in Chains. Numera driver hon egen studio och livescen på Linnégatan, och har fullt upp med att lyfta fram det bästa ur stans musik- och konstvärld. Vi tog ett snack inför veckans späckade spelschema!
Hi Rosie! Who are you?
– My name is Rosie McClune and I’m a musician from Glasgow, Scotland. I’ve recently moved to Gothenburg to start my own studio and live venue, to help out musicians a little bit more!
Welcome! I hear you’ve got a pretty impressive tour record as a guitarist?
– Haha, yeah I’ve been really lucky to support acts such as the Rolling Stones, Sex Pistols, Alice in Chains and tour the world with bands I’ve played in. When I was 16 years old sitting in my bedroom trying to figure out how to play two chords together, it didn’t seem like I’d ever be able to accomplish anything in music, but a combination of hard work and luck have presented me with opportunities I never thought I’d have.
How come you ended up in Gothenburg?
– I’ve played several gigs in Gothenburg through the years and fell in love with the city and people. I was looking for a new way to challenge myself in a different city and country and the opportunity presented itself for me to come here to set up my own studio. Since I arrived, I’ve met so many talented people and we are all working together to help expand the scene here by booking gigs in not only our own venue, but others around the city such as Henriksberg, Cafe Overlock, Beerbliotek Brewery and Soulstore. We even have a barn in Borås that has had many successful concerts! We’re looking not only for acoustic acts though, we want rock bands, indie, RnB, rappers, country … everything!
Your studio also turned into a venue?
– Yes, originally I only had the idea of starting the studio, but the gig/venue part of it seems to have expanded on it’s own without my having to do much! It’s a great, small space on Linnégatan that is perfect for singer/songwriters to play and we’ve already had acts from Scotland, Australia, France, the US and the Netherlands. We wanted to be able to create a space that is comfortable for people who want to come and listen to music and songwriters telling their stories. But we’re also happy to be expanding into different venues around the city. We also give lessons as I fully believe in giving aspiring musicians as much advice and help as possible with things I have learnt along the way. We have an open mic night every second week which is brilliant fun, the people who show up are amazing and sometimes it can be a performer’s first time onstage, so it’s important that we can provide a supportive atmosphere for them and allow their confidence to grow. We also have an art gallery space that is perfect for artists to showcase their work. The whole purpose of this venture is to try to allow artists and musicians to be seen and heard in an environment where people truly appreciate it.
We definitely need to check this place out. How would you describe the city’s independent music and art scene?
– Moving here has certainly been a great learning experience. I’ve not only met with some brilliant musicians, but also artists, photographers and filmmakers who are so eager to be seen and heard. And if we can help provide a platform for them and all help each other out, then great! I’m working with a local band too called Ennui and they are so creative and proactive, it’s great. I’m so impressed with the art culture here. At home in the UK, creativity is seen as an expendable hobby so it’s refreshing to come to a place like this and find out that the government actually supports the arts here too.
What’s the strangest thing about Swedish people?
– Hmmm I haven’t actually noticed anything particularly strange about Swedish people … maybe I haven’t been here long enough yet! 🙂
Very diplomatic, haha … alright, what about the best thing then?
– Certainly, before I came here, I was told (even by Swedes) that it’s difficult to get a reaction from Swedish people in terms of getting them to play gigs, or come out and listen to music etc but I’ve found the opposite is true. There’s a great appetite for it here and everyone has been so friendly and open and appreciative of what we’re trying to do. Also, FIKA!!
This week you have no less than three upcoming gigs?
– Yes, we have Dan Wilson from Scottish band Withered Hand playing on Tuesday 28th, with support from Jacques Labouchere, they are both also playing at Beerbliotek Brewery on Thursday 30th. On Wednesday, we have Adam Marsland from the US and he’s being supported Roger Arvidson. We have had a lot of international artists so I’m always on the lookout for more Swedes to play.
Alright, good luck with that, and with your other projects!
– Thank you so much!
Maria Kopp
