Peter Capaldi, known for his roles in Doctor Who and The Devil’s Hour, is about to venture into a new territory as he prepares to release his first album with indie label Last Night From Glasgow. Capaldi’s musical journey traces back to his days in Glasgow in the late 70s and early 80s when he was a student at the Glasgow School of Art and fronted the punk band The Dreamboys alongside actor Craig Ferguson on drums.
Reflecting on his musical beginnings, Capaldi recalls the vibrant music scene in Glasgow, where he and his bandmates would hustle to secure gigs at local pubs. Despite not achieving significant success, the experience laid the foundation for Capaldi’s enduring passion for music, which took a back seat as his acting career flourished in London with notable appearances in films like Local Hero and TV shows like The Thick of It and Dr. Who.
Capaldi’s return to music was sparked by a chance encounter with Robert Howard, lead vocalist of The Blow Monkeys, who encouraged him to explore songwriting. This collaboration led to the creation of Capaldi’s debut album, St Christopher, in 2021, and his latest release, Sweet Illusions, marks a significant milestone in his musical journey. The album cover features Capaldi seated at a London bus stop, reminiscing about his roots in Glasgow.
The actor’s foray into music aligns with the ethos of Last Night From Glasgow, an indie label founded by Ian Smith to support unsigned artists and prioritize fair pay and artist rights. The label, which has expanded to reissuing older albums under Past Night From Glasgow, boasts around 100 signed artists and a turnover of half a million pounds annually. Capaldi’s music, while not aimed at commercial success, has piqued interest among patrons at LNFG’s headquarters in Glasgow’s Hidden Lane quarter.
As Capaldi gears up for the release of Sweet Illusions on March 28, his focus remains on honing his craft and enjoying the creative process without aspirations of mainstream stardom. While juggling his acting commitments, he is already working on new material for another album, drawing inspiration from his nostalgic memories of Glasgow’s music scene from four decades ago. Despite the acclaim his music may garner, Capaldi remains grounded in his pursuit of artistic expression and authenticity, emphasizing the joy of creating music over accolades in the music industry
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