The Snuts frontman Jack Cochrane: "The strongest connections happen in real rooms, playing real gigs"

Formed in Whitburn, West Lothian, The Snuts began as school friends making music together before eventually breaking through with a fiercely independent spirit. Their debut album W.L. reached Number One in the UK charts, cementing their reputation as one of Scotland's most exciting guitar bands. Years of touring, festival appearances and another two albums later, the band are continuing to fly the flag for Scottish live music. I spoke to The Snuts’ frontman Jack Cochrane.

You've all grown up a lot since the band first started. How do you keep the same energy and chemistry together after all these years?

Being in a band with your best pals from school is actually quite an intense thing when you think about it. You're essentially working every day with the same group of friends you've known your whole life. For this new record, it was about recognising what everyone needed to enjoy the process again.

We spent more time in Scotland, got out into the countryside, ate together, spent proper time together and focused on being friends as much as bandmates. Breaking bread together at breakfast, lunch and dinner was important. We wanted to enjoy making music again and enjoy being in the band.

Has becoming older changed what you write about?

The sound always evolves because we never want to repeat ourselves, but the themes have stayed surprisingly consistent. We've always written about everyday life and real people.

Even though being in a band can look glamorous from the outside, we've stayed rooted in where we're from and the people around us. We're not writing songs about meeting people in Hollywood because that's not our reality. We write about things that feel true and meaningful to ordinary people.

How important was West Lothian to the start of the band?

Massively important. It was all we knew. Back when we started we could phone up a miners' club, welfare club, bowling club or football club and ask if we could put a show on the following Friday. We'd charge three or four quid a ticket, use the money to fund the band and just keep moving from town to town.

It gave us a chance to learn our craft without having to deal with promoters or industry politics. We could simply focus on becoming a better live band. That's something I worry young bands might not have as much access to now because so many of those venues have disappeared.

When did you realise The Snuts might actually become your career?

There were a few moments, but one that stands out was when we started selling out local shows. We put on a gig in Forthouse and sold around 300 tickets. A few weeks later we did another show in Whitburn and it filled up almost immediately.

The doors had to be shut because too many people turned up and there were police outside dealing with the crowds. Those moments genuinely felt as exciting as playing some of the biggest venues we've ever played since. That's when the obsession really kicked in.

How important are local music venues to emerging Scottish musicians?

For indie bands and singer-songwriters, local venues are still the most important playground.

There's this idea now that success comes from constantly posting online, but I still believe the strongest connections happen in real rooms, playing real gigs. That's where lifelong fans come from.

I'm worried about the future because small venues are closing and festivals are disappearing too, but I'm still optimistic.

This summer you're back at TRNSMT. Does it still give you a buzz?

Absolutely. TRNSMT is always special.

We grew up going to festivals. Our band was bigger than just the four of us - it was a whole group of pals who all shared that experience.

Festivals are an incredible opportunity because you can go from playing to 100 people one week to standing in front of 5,000 people the next. If you do a good job, it can completely change the trajectory of your career and your next tour.

We try not to play Scotland too often because we want every show here to feel like an occasion. TRNSMT is one of those events where all your family and friends come along, which adds a bit of pressure but also makes it more meaningful.

It's the one we always look forward to. Every time we've played it before the weather has been roasting, but honestly I'd love a bit of rain. Festivals in the rain are brilliant.

You live in Glasgow, what are some of your favourite places in the city?

I love Glasgow. I love The Barras area, I love the East End and I love the sense of community.

When we first moved through from West Lothian it felt like there was so much happening on your doorstep. It was exciting. Glasgow always felt like a city we wanted to conquer as a band.

The Snuts play the main stage at TRNSMT on Saturday 20 June.