figure8 are a Glasgow born and based songwriting duo who are currently exciting 'the scene' with their fresh take on writing and performing. John Elliott and Stuart Nugent have refused to be seduced by the notion of forming a full band and decided to carve their own niche with beautiful melodic and geniunely exciting music and performance.
The talented duo have managed to cultivate an exiting sound which although generally acoustic is such a full mash of guitars, harmonicas and harmonies that it defies their numbers.
With a combined age of less than 50, it's hard to imagine how such blatant influences such as Dylan, Waits and Williams have found their way into these two exciting musicians until you realise tha such legendary styles are also tinged with the more recent teachings of Wilco, Elliott Smith and REM. The quality of their own compositions is confirmed by the fact that it sits comfortably with any work from the aforementioned.
"We never really saw the need to fill out our sound, if something is worth listening to then hear it properly, not dressed up or made melodic by drum loops or pedals. Experimenting is fine, but the bare bones of the song have to be there otherwise you're just pissing about". John Elliott
The streets of Govan may not provide the obvious backdrop for a young musician to indulge such tastes. Nirvana and REM provided music for youth, then progressing to Dylan and Van Morrison. Nowadays, Gillian Welch and Nick Cave are among their favourites. "Certainly wasn't typical listening when I was younger - baffled my mates" says Stuart. Endless hours spent with a guitar may not aid academic achievement, but certainly assist aspiration and talent. "I strolled through school but focused more on music. Seemed better than any alternatives a housing scheme had to offer though".
