Under the Radar: Jamie Rafferty

Croy boy Jamie Rafferty looks set for a musical journey that will take him well beyond the Central Belt, write Olaf Furniss and Derick Mackinnon

Most people in Scotland who have heard of Croy will know it as the stop before Glasgow on the train from Edinburgh. However, for Jamie Rafferty it is his musical foundation and the inspiration for many of his songs.

Growing up in the village, where he still lives, he was taught guitar and piano by local musician Peter Currie, while parental encouragement began with a drumkit for Christmas when he was only five years old. In his teens he recorded his first songs in secret before his mum convinced him to perform them to friends and neighbours in the local hall.

For the past three years, Rafferty has honed his craft, performing ten sets a week around Glasgow’s pubs, leading to slots at King Tut’s and TRANSMT.

And while the themes for his lyrics are locally-sourced, songwriting and studio sessions have taken place in London and Nashville. The result is a blend of styles including country, rock and even a touch of folk, all manifested on his new EP, Detached Observations. Launched last week with gigs in London, Manchester and Glasgow, we expect it to mark the first stage in a musical journey set to take him well beyond the Central Belt, see https://jamieraff.com/

Olaf Furniss and Derick Mackinnon run music industry seminar and social night Born To Be Wide, see www.borntobewide.co.uk

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