Gerry's going solo

It looks like 2015 is going to be a fruitful year for Gerry Cinnamon. Riding high on a wave after a whirlwind 2014, the Glaswegian solo- artist is looking forward to a bright year.

Growing up in the city's Castlemilk, Cinnamon is philosophical about his tough upbringing,

"I see it as an advantage. My childhood was pretty violent even by Glasgow's standards but if it doesn't make break you it will make you."

This year could just make of him.

Having penned the 'Hope over Fear' track and playing to a packed George Square before the referendum, last year was a turning point for the artist.

"In the months leading up to the vote, Glasgow became a hotbed of positive political debate and creative arts, kinda like San Francisco in the middle 60s without the sunshine or cool clothes. Folk kept asking me to write a song about independence and eventually it wrote itself. I recorded a quick video, posted it to Facebook not thinking anything of it and it went bananas. I recorded a quick demo and posted it unmixed and unmastered on iTunes and it went to no.5 in the iTunes Charts for two weeks. Folk were singing it all over Scotland and around the world. New Zealand, Wales, Australia, America, Catalonia and Hong Kong. The last one I received a nice message from a lad in Hong Kong that they were using it as a protest song. That blew my mind. I read that at the Coliseum in Rome. In Italy, reading a post from a protest in Hong Kong, about a song written in Glasgow. Crazy chat. I came back and headlined the Hope Over Fear rally in George Square. I'm not aligned to any particular party so I was apprehensive that it might be something I shouldn't be involved in but it was beautiful. 15000 singing Hope Over Fear. Kids and adults singing every word and crying. If that doesn't mess with your mind I don't know what will. That'll stay with me forever."

Building a cult following and an impressive set-list, the hard labour of playing on the local circuit is paying off as the year begins, as the man himself explains.

"It's nice to be appreciated. That's never been my motivation though. If you set out to please people then you're kidding yourself . My main motivation is showing what a working class lad from Glasgow can do when he puts his mind to it. People's perceptions of success differ from person to person. Like most people from the scheme, when I was growing up we had next to nothing. Music was such an escape for me I can't even put it into words. True escapism and inspiration. That to me is a magical thing. If I can do that for one person then it'll all be worthwhile. Anything else is a bonus."

Fans of Cinnamon will be glad to hear that this is just the tip of the iceberg,

"I've got about 100 new songs I'm dying to play but I need to get the record out first. Recording is always a matter of time and money. The gig will be mayhem regardless."

Following a headline sell-out at the prestigious King Tutts in December last year the solo artist has already been signed up to play on the bill of the first ever 'First Run Live' gigs alongside other up-coming talents Vukovi, United Fruit and Lewis Capaldi.

Releasing new Cinnamon single 'Kampfire Vampire' at the end of January, First Run is the new record label and brainchild Scott Kirkwood and Billy Kiltie. Created last year its base is the Barras Arts and Design Centre where their first concert will take place. This will be the 'launch' of the label which hopes to tap into the ever-growing band of music talent in the city.

The exciting project will see the best talent on the scene given a chance to perform and the organisers are planning to take the shows to different areas of the country with a view to promoting and producing artist from all over Scotland.

January 31st will see the 'launch' gig of the label with a varied and talented line-up.

Tickets snapped up in advance will cost £8, with a pay-in-at-the-door policy of £10.

They are available from- www.firstrunrecords.com

Doors open at 19:00 and lucky fans will receive free beer courtesy of sponsors Innis and Gunn on arrival.

Barras Art and Design Centre,

54 Calton Entry,

Unit 12,

Glasgow,

G40 2SB