Two hospital workers have found solace from their stressful jobs by forming a band.
Judith Pollock and Tam Leitch work at the Royal Alexandra Hospital in different departments.
They both have keen interests in writing and singing, but had never met until a mutual friend, who also works at the Paisley hospital, put them in touch.
That was in September and just a month later, the pair decided they had got on so well they should form a band, which they called Darker Clouds.
Judith, who works in the cardiology department, explained: “Tam was looking for a female voice on one of the songs he’d written and our mutual friend suggested me.
“We got in touch and things snowballed from there.
“Tam can sing, but he doesn’t like being a frontman, he prefers to be in the background.
“I’ve always sung, so that comes naturally to me.
“It just works that we’ve fallen into these roles in the band.
“I’ve always had an interest in music. A lot of my friends are in bands.
“I’ve got a 12-year-old so I haven’t had much time to pursue things like this.”
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Judith said the band has been a comfort while working at the hospital during the stressful pandemic.
She said: “With lockdown, it’s been quite good timing.
“I feel lucky at the fact I can just come away from my work, put a guitar on and play a bit of music.
“It’s not been the nicest environment working in the hospital.
“You get on with it because that’s your job and I know I’m fortunate to have a job, but it can be stressful and uncomfortable.
“It’s been really good for my mental health to have the band to focus on.
“It’s been something positive out of this year.
“It’s the same for Tam. He did bits and pieces before, but he’s got an enthusiasm for it again.”
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Despite working in the same hospital, forming a band and being in touch via emails and online, Judith has only met Tam once.
She said: “It was in the RAH car park and I was giving him an acoustic guitar. He was wearing a mask and I walked right past him.”
Although it’s early days, Judith said they would love to perform live next year if restrictions allow.
“It’s been difficult because we’re just recording things and sending them through to each other,” she said.
“It’s not how you would normally collaborate.
“I’m learning lots about recording tracks and sending them through to Tam.
“It’s hard to communicate properly, but we’re managing so far.”
Their first single, Circuit Break, is released on iTunes and Amazon tomorrow. Their album, X=Y, will follow in the new year.
For more on the band, go to Darker Clouds @Darkerclouds1308 on Facebook or follow Darkerclouds1308 on Instagram.
