Paws

Paws are an indie rock band with Scottish roots, associated with lo-fi and math rock. They live in Glasgow and include members from Tain in the Highlands of Scotland, Edinburgh and Glasgow. The line-up forms around Philip, Joshua and Ryan. The band’s origin is tied to Glasgow and to an earlier short-lived band, A Copenhagen Hope, which had a “Violent Femme-esque” sound. After the departure of founding member Nick Anderson, the remaining three friends Philip Taylor, Josh Swinney and Matthew Scott form Paws.

Early releases and labels

The band first play live in 2010, opening for Dum Dum Girls in Glasgow on a sold-out bill. From there they build a local following by playing as often as possible in Glasgow and nearby areas. Their earliest recordings are self-recorded and released on Cath Records, a small cassette label started by Philip. They also release their debut 7-inch vinyl in 2011 on the Edinburgh-based label Gerry Loves Records.

FatCat Records and albums

In early 2012 Paws sign to FatCat Records, based in Brighton and Brooklyn. Their first release for the label is the Misled Youth EP in May of that year. Their debut album, Cokefloat!, follows in October. It is recorded by Rory Attwell, formerly of Test Icicles, aboard the Lightship95 boat-studio at Trinity Buoy Wharf in London. The album receives a Scottish Album of the Year nomination.

In spring 2013 Matthew leaves the band and Ryan Drever joins Philip and Joshua. Their second full-length album, Youth Culture Forever, is released on FatCat Records in 2014. The band produces the record themselves, and it is recorded with Jeremy Backofen in Upstate New York in November 2013. The album appears on ABC News North America’s Top 50 Albums of 2014 list at number 35.

Touring and recognition

Paws tour extensively across the UK, Europe, the USA and Canada. They tour with acts including Japandroids, The Cribs, We Are Scientists and Bleached, and they open shows for The Breeders, Fucked Up, Mates of State, No Age, Wavves and Ty Segall among others. At SXSW Festival 2013, Spin Magazine ranks them number four in its Top 50 Best Acts list.