Glasgow-based singer-songwriter Stewart Traquair (who performs under the name of Traquair here) has long operated on his own distinct musical frequency. His new EP, Held the Pulse, blends a sense of warm soul with a psychedelic folk sensibility, making for something that always sounds authentic. We’ll be reviewing the EP soon, but for now, check out our interview with Stewart below…

By Jane Howkins

This is the first time we’ve worked with you – how has your year been so far?

Hello there, hope you are well. The year has been really good so far, thank you. Its been a really creative time and I’m in a really good place. There has been some life changes that have been accruing and came to fruition this year, but nothing that has upset the creative equilibrium – only adding to it.

You’ve just released a new EP titled Held the Pulse. What can you tell us about the record?

Held the Pulse is five new songs, recorded at El Rancho Glasgow with Roscoe Wilson. Initially, this was going to be a full record of songs under the banner of ‘Looking for Thunder’. As the recording process progressed however, it was clear that this would be an EP and hence Held the Pulse was born. Essentially, it’s a meditation on the human experience and human connection. Especially in these times as technology becomes more prevalent in our lives.

I’m a believer that there is a positive there but it should not come at the expense of the human experience. Held the Pulse is for lovers and the people that come into our lives and help us see things more clearly, challenge us when we need a challenge and make us feel something to the point where we long to feel something more. Is it a kiss, a late night conversation, a smile that gets us through the day? I’ll leave that one up to the listener.

As an aside, when we finished the EP I googled Traquair Held the Pulse and it turns out its a famous medical phrase honouring Dr James G. Traquair, who pioneered the observation of the radial pulse at the wrist and how this provides clues about how well the heart is working. The synergy was astounding and I knew then that I was on the right track.

Am I right in thinking it’s the first record proper (apart from singles) that you’ve released since 2023’s The DNA of a Distant Memory? What can you tell us about that record and how has your songwriting changed since then?

So Held the Pulse is actually the tenth release under the Traquair banner. Those early releases were very lo-fi and are now hard to find, even for me! There are CDs kicking about somewhere though I’m sure. DNA was a record made out of time as the songs were written pre COVID and ultimately, the recording process was halted for 2 years due to COVID. It was a more dense, experimental psychedelic record and was the first one where I worked with a producer, the super talented Chris Pepper, and a drummer, the equally talented Paul Delaney. It was born out of a traumatic life change and very late night songwriting sessions. I think with each passing project you always learn something and the main thing that has changed is letting outside forces in to help shape what I have and hopefully make it more interesting.

I think the thing that has changed most with my songwriting now is refinement, really working on the song to make it as good as it possibly can be and then opening it up to the before mentioned outside forces.

Do you plan to record another full-length album anytime soon?

So, the short term plan and an exclusive for you is that we are going back into the studio very soon to record a double a-side single and this should come out at the end of the year, all going well. The two songs have been selected and we are ready to go. I have lots of demos and songs so the expectation is that we will look at doing something full length in 2027.

Do you have any singles due to come out from Held the Pulse?

Held the Pulse has been getting some great feedback, especially the title track, so the current plan is to release Held the Pulse as a stand alone single in September. The single will include the demo version also.

Held the Pulse was produced, recorded and mixed by Roscoe Wilson. How did the collaboration come about and how was it working with Roscoe

I have known Roscoe for what feels like a lifetime, we used to play at a lot of the same venues in Glasgow and share the same bills also. Roscoe Wilson is a great singer songwriter in his own right and has an amazing album called The Depths that you and your readers should check out. Although not close friends, Roscoe went off grid and decided not to be online any more so we lost touch. Fast forward and perhaps an advert for positive online moments, a mutual friend/singer songwriter that me and Roscoe have, Matthew Dickson, posted an Instagram story with some work that he had done with Roscoe. I loved the sound and the vibe so I contacted Matthew and asked if he could put me in touch with Roscoe.

Roscoe got in touch and asked to hear my demos – thankfully he liked them and he was up for the production challenge. One thing that really helped me that had never happened before was that once we selected some of the songs to be on the EP, he asked me to go away and write some new songs in different keys and tempos – specifically some minor key songs. This was a great challenge for me and really helped open up the collaborative approach for Held the Pulse. Roscoe kept the spirit of my demos but gave them a new warm and lush life and his musical touches on the EP really bring it to life. A highlight for me, was sending Roscoe a voice note with a cello melody that I wanted on the song Held the Pulse. It was a total joy to then hear that cello melody on the song. Roscoe has a great pair of ears and a level of musicianship that I am in awe of.

You’re from Glasgow. What is the local music scene like in the area?

Glasgow is a very creative city. We have music, art, graffiti – it’s etched into the city’s being. I think Glasgow is a city where counterculture thrives. I am always blown away by the level of talent, especially the musicians. If I had a record label I would sign them all, hahaha. There are gigs most nights in Glasgow and it has an open mic scene that really welcomes musicians of all levels and talent.

Who are your main musical influences and what have you been listening to recently?

My record collection is all over the place (yes kids, records are also known as vinyl haha), it ranges from 1960s to 70s, 80s, 90s all the way through to current music. I love rock, soul, pop music and everything in between. Nothing is off the table when it comes to the spectrum of music for me. The main influences for the Held the Pulse EP were Aretha Franklin, Beck, Love, Elliot Smith, The Byrds, The Stones 1972 period and CSN&Y. These were artists that myself and Roscoe spoke about while recording. Recently I have re-discovered Neutral Milk Hotel and their Aeroplanes over the Sea album. I have also been listening to a lot of Black Crowes, who with the power of hindsight have been so consistent over the years.

Do you perform live? Do you plan to tour in the UK anytime soon?

Yes, I perform live, not as much as I used too though. In my early days I played the coffee shop scene and it was a steep learning curve, playing to folk who were not there to see live music and only wanted to chat and catch up with friends. It was a challenge, but I loved trying to win them over. Following this I put a band together called Traquair and the Tranquilizers, where I embraced my repressed frontman gene and walked on tables, swung from the lights and jumped into the audience. How I never broke any bones I will never know! I’m thankful phones were not commonplace at this point in time. These days I like to relax and get the songs over in the best possible way and let them shine.
We are planning a little mini tour across the UK to coincide with the Held the Pulse single release.

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