IT STARTED as a college project, but Quad90 – new Glasgow funk/disco/pop duo Naomi Mackay and Amelia Lironi – are already riding high on a wave of impressive reviews and high profile airplay.
Their debut single, Le Blank, which came out last May, was selected by BBC 6Music as one of their singles of the year; their second, Unequal Division, was the Afternoon Show’s Single of the Week on Radio Scotland.
The two vocalists’ latest single, Anodyne, released this month along with the first two on a digital EP from Last Night From Glasgow, is a brilliant and bold track which sounds a little like funky Bananarama with added synth pop.
“It’s funk, with a darker element,” considers Amelia, when asked to describe Quad90’s sound. “But it’s also quite pop-y and disco…there is a lot going on.”
The two 23-year-olds met while they were both students at Riverside College Music College in Busby.
“We were put together randomly as part of the course project, but we realised our voices worked really well together,” explains Naomi, who lives in Cambuslang.
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Amelia, who stays in the West End, agrees. “We’d been talking about recording a single for a while before we actually did it,” she says.
“It was a bit of fun at first. It’s been a surprise how quickly everything has happened since. We definitely didn’t expect it.”
Amelia has been surrounded by music her whole life – her mum is singer Katy Lironi, her dad is Douglas MacIntyre, musician, songwriter and founder of the Creeping Bent Organisation record label and Frets Concerts series in Strathaven, and her aunt is Altered Images star Clare Grogan.
“She has heard our stuff, she says she likes it,” says Amelia, smiling.
“I’ve always loved singing, but I only ever really did it for fun, it wasn’t always the plan to make it a career.
“Going to Riverside was a bit of a last-minute decision, but I’m glad I did it. It was really enjoyable and I know now singing is what I want to do.”
Naomi also grew up surrounded by music.
“My mum sang in bands when she was younger, and there’s always been music around me,” says Naomi. “I liked singing, but actually, I didn’t tell anyone I did it until I was in about fifth year at school.
“I think it was a confidence thing, really. I still get nervous at the thought of singing in front of people.”
She adds: “I like listening to everything, so I have lots of different influences. My favourite singer is Paolo Nutini, not that that has anything to do with anything. Amelia and I have quite similar tastes in music, I think. And our voices do blend well together.”
Quad90’s first gig is on April 13 at Glasgow University Union, part of the Last Night From Glasgow Weekender showcase which also features Starless and BMX Bandits.
“We are both a bit nervous, this is our first proper gig outside of college, but we’re really looking forward to it,” says Amelia.
The women are now working on their debut, as yet untitled album, which will be released by Last Night from Glasgow.
Recording at Green Door Studios in Glasgow, with an assortment of experienced musicians (including Amelia’s dad) has been an eye-opening experience, they say.
“And it is quite handy having my dad there to tell us how it all works and what to expect,” acknowledges Amelia, smiling.
Naomi adds: “It’s been really exciting working in the studio with so many talented musicians. Last Night from Glasgow have supported us too, we wouldn’t be doing this without them.”
Amelia once supported Tom Jones when he played Kelvingrove Bandstand in 2016.
“That was a really cool thing to do,” she says, nodding. “It was all very last minute, it happened through my dad, and I was so, so nervous.”
She adds, with a laugh: “I loved it, but when I look back at it, I realise how far I have come since then – I was just a nervous wee girl.”
Life is busy for both women - Naomi, who sings on the beautiful Boat Song by Glasgow singer/songwriter Connor Johnston, is also busy gigging with Glasgow indie band Youth for Sale, while Amelia is juggling working and focussing on releasing “lots more singles” from Quad90.
“It does feel amazing, that things have happened quite quickly,” she says.
“And it’s great that our friends and relatives can hear our songs on the radio. My mum and dad have always got 6Music on in the kitchen, and when our single comes in, it is actually really cool.”
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