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Scots singer hits right note with switch to LA
 
Pete Macleod
Pete Macleod
 

by Deborah Anderson

A SCOTS singer has swapped Coatbridge for Los Angeles and is living the American dream.

While Pete Macleod isn't quite rubbing shoulders with Madonna, he has certainly shared the limelight with her.

He features in the new issue of Q Magazine which has the Pop Queen on the cover and has been given the prestigious accolade of one of the top 50 artists to download.

The recognition has now prompted the singer/songwriter to give a little back to his fans.

Pete, who now lives and works in LA has taken the radical step of making his downloads free, giving fans across the globe the chance to see why Q Magazine rated his track Panic' so highly.

Pete, whose debut album was released last year, was thrilled to make the list which also includes The Last Shadow Puppets, Madonna, Radiohead and Portishead.

He said: "Appearing in Q Magazine is amazing - Madonna may be on the cover, but don't they always say it's what's inside that counts?

"Scots have a reputation for being mean with their money, but deep down we're a pretty generous bunch, and I couldn't think of a better way to prove that than to make every single one of my tracks available for free download.

"It's also my way of saying thanks to my fans for all the support they've given me over the years."

He is due to play LA's Hotel Cafe at the end of this month - a music venue showcasing the biggest singer/songwriter talent that Hollywood has to offer.

His material has already caught the eye of music visionary Alan McGee, who discovered Oasis.

Writing on the singer's website, he said: "Pete is a great songwriter I have met over here in LA. He's in my top friends (myspace) and his song Panic which is an amazing tune is my profile song. Download Panic - it costs nothing and is a tune worth having on your i-pod."

Last year Pete followed up a UK tour support stint by releasing his debut album and single.

He used the knowledge he gained from playing alongside Ocean Colour Scene at venues from King Tut's Wah Wah Hut, the ABC and T in the Park to write and produce This is Modern Soul.

His single Modern Soul, prompted critics and music industry insiders to sing its praises. His own musical influences include Buddy Holly, The Beatles, John Lennon, and Simon and Garfunkel.

Pete, who has also played at the infamous Viper Room in Los Angeles, said: "I called the album This is Modern Soul because I was influenced by Mod and Rock music, and I've put my influences together.

"I suppose you could say that I've created my own genre."

To hear more of Pete's music log on to www.petemacleod.net

Publication date 10/04/08

Posted by: Leeanne B, Glasgow on 10:06am Fri 11 Apr 08
"Scots have a reputation for being mean with their money, but deep down we're a pretty generous bunch"

"A SCOTS singer has swapped Coatbridge for Los Angeles and is living the American dream."

"The recognition has now prompted the singer/songwriter to give a little back to his fans."

Still same old Pete...no reference to the two amazing kids he left behind, still me me me.

Clever, cute and well mannered. A credit to their family back in Coatbridge.

Posted by: Hazel, Airdrie on 5:01pm Fri 11 Apr 08
I worked with Pete in Airdrie and he really does deserve this success. I don't think you really know him Leeanne! I also don't think you UNDERSTAND how hard he has probably worked to get this praise. He used to bring his kids into work and that was all he would talk about. A lot of us are rooting for him as it must have been tough for him back then and he's pulled through. You are typical of the race we all call haters and probably one of the reasons why Pete moved to LA. Im glad his kids take after their father, Clever cute and well mannered. YOU GO PETE!!!!!
Posted by: Leeanne B, Glasgow on 7:04pm Fri 11 Apr 08
I think I probably know more than most Hazel so I'm not gonna get into an argument over it. Fair play to him, he's done really well for himself. To be honest, I think most of us knew he would, but it's just a real pity it came at such a price.
Posted by: Hazel, Airdrie on 9:12pm Fri 11 Apr 08
Who are you to judge? As far as I see, there is no argument. His personal life is his, not yours or anyone else's for that matter. I think you have backtracked on your point here because you have been put wrong. This is good news for Pete and for any young hopeful musician from Coatbridge and Airdrie. Instead of complimenting on this good news for him (like you did the second time) you come on here putting him down? Shame on you and I can only hope you see the bigger picture of life for your own good. The Pete I know would never lose contact with his kid's and In fact by the sounds of it you might already know that, seen as you know more than most. Pretty pathetic actually. Very sad.
Posted by: James, Glasgow on 9:29pm Fri 11 Apr 08
Looks like Pete has a few ex-girlfriends on the loose. Haha

Read this and checked out his website. Great songs and he is a good singer. Hope he comes back soon! He might have to hide from these girls though!

Posted by: Wee Marc, Glasgaah on 9:43pm Fri 11 Apr 08
I used to be his boyfriend but he left me for the sunny weather. :(
Joking aside, I remember going to T in The Park and thinking who the feck is that on stage? It was Pete with a band and I thought he was mega. Great attitude and a good presence. Spoke with him after the gig and he gave me his tambourine and was cool with pictures and stuff. I agree with James - Hurry up and get back here! Glasvegas are neds and are just trying to be something different, Pete's a good songwriter.
Posted by: Leeanne B, Glasgow on 10:57pm Fri 11 Apr 08
Nah, no ex of mine.

Juat a concerned Aunt putting her nose in.
Hazel, I'm not getting into a public spat with a random. You're entitled to your thoughts but they're not gonna erase my distaste for the situation.

Posted by: Hazel, Airdrie on 11:50pm Fri 11 Apr 08
Aunt? That wouldn't perhaps be on his -ex's side would it? If indeed you really are a legitimate aunt to his twins. As for public spat, you go on to this website, which so happens to be "Glasgow's biggest evening newspapers website" and slag him off and then say you don't want to get into a "public spat". I think that show's your mentality and the reason for you doing so. Im sure if the story was about kid's he would have mentioned them but this so happens to be about his MUSIC. Maybe next time you should keep YOUR thoughts to yourself as they might get other people in to trouble!
Posted by: Leeanne B, Glasgow on 11:41am Sat 12 Apr 08
Nothing to do with any of his ex's, just my personal opinion as a parent myself that when you make the babies it's always best to follow that through with parenting them. That is, the little day to day things like taking them to school, hugging them when they're sad, knowing their best friends names, disciplining them when they're bad or rewarding them when they're good. But judging by your vitriolic, hate filled posts above, I'm not gonna expect you to grasp that.

Of course, I expect another venemous, blindly loyal response from you, but I wont be checking back this time.
Posted by: Hazel, Airdrie on 4:01pm Sat 12 Apr 08
I think you may be talking about something that has happened in your life? You have no business to go on about Pete's!
Posted by: Shirley-ann, Coatbridge on 8:06am Sun 13 Apr 08
Hi to all I have had the pleasure of being at school with Peter "pete" Macloud and he does deserve this and all it brings, he is a lovely guy a real gentleman - how old do i sound thou OMG. I wish him all the happiness in the world and and the luck too, and if he reads this you know who i am !!!!!! LOL ****
Posted by: kirsty, Renfrewshire on 2:50pm Thu 15 May 08
I don't normally partake in this kind of thing but i feel the slagging is so wrong and i totally agree with Hazel and Shirley-Ann...

Pete is all the things they said above and probably a lot more - how many people move on to a better place and create their dreams???

I had the pleasure of meeting Pete and the band a few years back and they were fantastic!!!

He deserves this without any doubt and he got where he is with a lot of hard work and no doubt a lot of hard sacrifices too..

Well done Pete!!!!
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