Coatbridge musicians Pete MacLeod and Graeme Ferguson have teamed up for a new collaborative project – and are now celebrating the release of the group’s debut.
The pair have joined forces with Welsh DJ and producer Brandon Lee to form new group 3SouL, whose first single, Energy, is out at midnight tonight.
Describing themselves as “an alternative dance group bringing fresh, progressive sounds to its audience”, they are now planning further projects as they build on their impressive partnership.
Singer-songwriter Pete and fellow local resident Graeme, a bassist and producer, had previously worked together over many years, but the new trio was sparked after meeting Brandon at K-Fest in Rhyl back in 2019.
Pete says the collaboration is “win, win, win”, adding: “Fergy and I had always worked well together, but Brandon is a major piece of the puzzle when it comes to 3SouL.
“We started travelling to Wales to work on things and it was obvious there was something worth exploring; we’re something very different as a unit.
“Sometimes you meet people and you just know there is something there. Now we’re making music the three of us like, and we hope everyone else can enjoy it.”
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Debut single Energy is described as “a poignant look at the everyday struggles of life and the ongoing battle to make positive, forward-thinking choices” – and will make an additional splash when its release is accompanied by “a psychedelic visual art video”.
Pete said: “Most times in life you have to fight for the things you want, even for life itself – there’s an effort of positive energy required from us, and that’s what life is to me.
“As a line in the song goes, ‘I’m a product of my own positivity’. It’s an attitude, an energy, and a positive one at that.
“Obviously, everyone is going through tough times at the moment and the uncertainty is testing everyone’s patience; hopefully, our music can lighten a few moods.”
He has previously enjoyed solo successes and saw his single Firing Line top the UK physical singles chart a year ago.
The singer-songwriter said: “3SouL is different for me because it’s a collective force behind the music as opposed to working on my own.
“It’s not too far a departure from what I was doing with Youth for my second album, Crestfallen; and it’s not something that’s forced from my perspective.
“We don’t have any pressure on us and aren’t too concerned with charts or anything like that – it’s all about working together to produce something authentic that we all like, and I’m making music with good mates who are both very talented in their own right.”
Graeme told how he has taken on new creative challenges through 3SouL, saying: “I’ve been playing bass and producing music and have worked with Pete on many projects over the years.
“I’ve played live gigs all over the place, but I’m not used to being part of the writing process as much.
“Working in 3SouL has opened up a new chapter in music for me, especially the production aspect which is a whole different side of it – meeting Brandon and seeing that process has been inspiring, and long may it continue.”
The trio’s music is available through their website at www.3soul.co.uk/ and the group can also be found on Facebook.
