Interviewing Niamh Maclennan: her new single "Homebody," her upcoming EP "Too Precious" and her journey as a Scottish independent artist

In this interview, Niamh Maclennan talks about her upcoming EP Too Precious and the release of her new single Homebody, out today on all streaming platforms. We previously featured Niamh on our website, and following that conversation we decided to sit down with her to explore her creative world in more depth.

As a Scottish independent artist based between Glasgow and Edinburgh, Niamh is part of a growing community-driven music scene that continues to shape and support emerging talent across the UK. In this conversation, she reflects on her musical beginnings, the collaborative process behind her new project, and what listeners can expect from this next chapter in her sound.

Enjoy!

Your new single Homebody marks the beginning of your upcoming EP Too Precious. How would you describe the track to someone hearing it for the first time?

I’d describe Homebody as a little mysterious and melancholic, while still being a little playful. It reminds me of driving down the road at night, kind of nodding along. It’s probably one of the moodier songs I’ve released so far.

How did your musical journey start?

My musical journey started when I was really young, about eight or nine, playing the cello. Though before that, I played instruments like the fiddle. But it was when I was around 14 that I properly started writing and recording songs. My dad supported me massively with that. He helped me produce my early songs and encouraged me to keep sharing music and keep creating music. I’ve been doing covers of songs I love by The Kinks and Scottish artists like Amy Macdonald, and eventually I wanted to kind of give it back to myself.

As a Scottish independent artist, how would you describe the music scene around you right now?

I think there are so many talented independent artists around right now in Glasgow, but also in Edinburgh, where I previously lived. A lot of people are creating really interesting music independently and supporting each other’s gigs and musical projects, which is, yeah, super inspiring to be around. It feels very community-driven.

You have an upcoming live show tonight in Glasgow at Nice N Sleazy. How do you feel about officially performing Homebody in that setting?

I’m really excited about performing Homebody for the first time properly, though I’ve already played it live in a more stripped-back setting with Anna Cooper, who plays harmonies and does backing vocals. So I’m looking forward to people hearing it the way it was fully intended, with the full band and the full atmosphere of the song.

You play the guitar as well as sing. Do you enjoy one more than the other, or do they feel equally important in your creative process?

I’d say that singing and guitar feel equally important to me. I’m very used to performing while playing guitar, and it’s also a huge part of my songwriting process, typically making kinda very guitar-riff-driven songs, although these days I probably practise singing a little bit more.

How has the creative process for Too Precious been compared to your previous work?

It’s been a fantastic process so far, having so many people involved in the process. Some people, like Stephen Buggy, who plays drums, I’ve worked with for quite a while now, so it was great having that super solid foundation there. I also learned so much from working with new people like Mandy Clarke and Jenny Clifford, who were absolutely amazing in the studio. Luigi Pasquini’s studio, Dystopia, is based in Glasgow, and he was really considerate of what I was intending for the songs. It felt very collaborative while still staying true to the sound I was looking for.

If you had to recommend three songs from your discography to someone discovering your music for the first time, which ones would you choose?

From the songs I’ve released so far, I’d probably say Escape, Your Sign and Homebody . They reflect different sides of what I do, but especially the direction it’s moving in now. More recently, I’ve been leaning further into soft rock and indie rock sounds compared to some of my earlier, more folky material. I think that if people enjoy Homebody, they’ll definitely enjoy the music that’s still to come as well.

You can watch the video interview by clicking here, follow Niamh by clicking here and listen to her music hereunder: