Where Girls Aloud meets Fiona Apple: Medb - Glasgow’s new rising star
Written and Interviewed by Charlotte Lewis
Glasgow’s music scene has a new star on the rise: Medb, a singer-songwriter whose unique blend of pop, post-punk, and experimental sounds has been turning heads across the UK. From her early days in Belfast to her current life in Glasgow, Medb’s journey has been defined by resilience, creativity, and an unwavering commitment to her artistic vision.
Image - Gail Young - Medb and Band
Music was in Medb’s blood from the very beginning. Both of her parents were recording musicians, regularly played on local radio, and introduced her to the thrill of performing from a young age. Alongside her brothers, who also formed their own band, Medb grew up immersed in music, singing into tape recorders and experimenting on a second-hand Yamaha keyboard. By her mid-teens, she was writing original songs, setting the foundation for the career she is pursuing today.
Image Adam Brown
Medb’s path to success wasn’t straightforward. While Belfast’s music scene felt competitive and insular, Edinburgh offered her a space to experiment creatively during her university years. London was transformative, providing her with access to a network of supportive musicians, producers, and mentors, including Frank Lloyd Wleft, who produced her latest record.
Yet it is in Glasgow where Medb has truly found a sense of belonging. “The music and creative scene here… the sense of community is really beautiful,” she says. “People want to see you do well if they like you. That shouldn’t feel like a novelty, but it’s amazing.” With her newly formed core band, Medb is bringing a fresh, dynamic energy to her live performances, infusing her songs with danceable, post-punk rhythms that are impossible to resist.
For Medb, moving to Glasgow has been about more than just the music scene, it’s also a personal journey of connection. Her grandmother lived in the city, but Medb didn’t get to spend much time with her growing up. Now, living in Glasgow herself, Medb feels a renewed closeness to her family history. “Being here has been a way to connect to her story,” she reflects, weaving a sense of personal history into both her life and her art.
Hercules: An Album Born From Heartbreak
Her upcoming album, Hercules, is a raw and honest reflection of her personal life, particularly a complex, long-standing love that inspired much of the record. “I started writing Puppy knowing exactly how it felt and not hiding behind metaphor,” she explains. The album’s title, referencing the mythical figure Hercules, plays on themes of strength, vulnerability, and the human tendency to look for a saviour in others.
While Puppy stands out as a song Medb is especially proud of for its catchy hooks and emotional resonance, she also treasures her earlier, experimental projects like Lie Back and Let the Fantasy Commence, which combined a record and a film to explore feelings of escapism and personal transformation.
Medb draws inspiration from a wide range of sources, from Madonna and Fiona Apple to the Beatles and Girls Aloud. Her influences extend beyond music to visual and cultural icons, including Edie Sedgwick, Chloe Sevigny, and the Warhol Factory scene. “I’ve just always been really true to myself,” she notes. “Find out who you are and stick to it. Don’t shrink back for anyone.”
Medb’s creativity isn’t limited to music. She is also the force behind Thumb Suck Girl, a print magazine that celebrates working-class voices, queer artists, and other underrepresented creatives. Starting as a zine during her university days at Central Saint Martins, it has grown into a full-fledged publication, blending photography, art, and creative writing.
Medb was actually born in Canada, a little-known detail that adds an international twist to her story. On a more unusual note, she has a third nipple: a quirky fact she enjoys sharing with fans. Musically, she’s currently obsessed with Garden of Eden by Lady Gaga, a track she can’t stop playing on repeat. And when it comes to films, her tastes are delightfully eclectic, ranging from the timeless classic The Wizard of Oz to the underrated gem Monte Carlo, starring Selena Gomez.
With a live gig at Nice N Sleazy’s on the 5th Decemeber, Medb is solidifying her presence in Glasgow’s music scene while continuing to grow as a songwriter and performer. Her combination of authentic storytelling, catchy hooks, and a willingness to experiment makes her one of the most exciting emerging artists to watch.
As Medb continues to blend her love of pop, experimental music, and visual art, one thing is clear: she is here to stay, creating music and art that is brazenly her own.
See Medb headline queer theory on the 5th Dec here
Buy Thumb Suck Girl here
Image Adam Brown