Ewan McVicar

Ewan McVicar is a Scottish DJ and producer from Ayr, Scotland, working in house, electronic, techno and acid-influenced styles. He starts DJing while at university, builds a following in his hometown, and later studies for a teaching degree before deciding to work in music full-time. Early in his career he focuses on hip hop and the commercial end of club music, and he plays regular sets at venues including Furys and Club de Mar.

Scene-building in Ayr

McVicar plays a major role in the revival of Ayr’s club culture. In 2017 he starts his own night, TEN, at a time when there is no underground scene in the town. The night develops into a local movement, with residents chosen from the area and the event becoming a platform for his DJ work and for a homegrown party ethos. The number 10 also has personal significance for him and informs the positive outlook associated with the project.

Production and releases

His production work covers a wide range of club styles, from old-school rave and house to 303-led acid. Tracks named in his catalogue include Street Rave, Love Trip, 1001 Freestyle and Dorian. He releases music on Optimo, Unknown To The Unknown, Shall Not Fade, Nervous, Higher Ground, KOOKOO and Trick. He becomes a core member of Patrick Topping’s label crew at Trick.

McVicar’s gold-selling single Tell Me Something Good wins Track of the Year at DJ Mag’s Best of British and Radio 1’s Electronic Track of the Year in 2021. He also remixes Gabriel by Joe Goddard, which he regards as a particularly important track in recent electronic music.

Granary 12 and wider support

As Granary 12, with Steven Simpson, he releases music on Posthuman’s Balkan Vinyl and Weapons Of Desire. The duo appear at Sub Club, La Cheetah, Corsica and in Santiago de Compostela in Spain. McVicar receives support from Pete Tong, Annie Mac, Danny Howard, Jaguar and Sarah Story.

Live work and profile

He is a resident at Trick’s DC10 Ibiza night and is associated with sell-out shows at Sub Club in Glasgow. He also plays festivals across the UK, including Creamfields, Parklife, Fly Open Air, Life Festival and Secret Garden Party. In Scotland, he is presented as a local figure whose success feeds back into Ayr, and he is also linked with plans for a one-day festival and a label focused on electronic music.