Karen: Hello everyone! I am absolutely delighted to be sitting down today with a man who is currently right at the heart of the Glasgow buzz. We’ve been following this journey for a while at the Scottish Music Network, and with TRNSMT just around the corner, the energy is reaching a fever pitch. Tom Rowan, frontman of Soapbox – how are you doing? Lovely to see you!
Tom: (Laughing) Honestly, Karen, I’m buzzing. It’s a bit surreal, but the good kind of surreal, you know? Just really happy to be here.
Karen: You can tell! There’s a certain glow about you today. We have to talk about the “hometown hero” factor. You’re gearing up for a massive set at TRNSMT right here in Glasgow. What does it feel like, knowing you’re about to step out in front of a home crowd on a stage that size?
Tom: There is genuinely nothing like a Glasgow crowd. I’ve said it before, but the electricity in the air when you play here… it’s incomparable. There’s a specific kind of connection you get with a hometown audience; they don’t just listen, they’re in it with you. I’m feeling a mix of that cool confidence you need to get the job done, but mostly just a sincere hunger to get out there and connect. We want to leave everything on that stage.
Karen: That’s exactly what we love about Soapbox – that raw, unfiltered energy. When I listen to your tracks, I hear these incredible echoes of the past. You’ve got that 80s punk DNA – The Clash, Subhumans, The Stranglers – but you’ve managed to weave it into something that feels very “now”. How important is it for you to bridge that gap between the legends and the modern scene?
Tom: It’s vital. Those bands are the blueprint. They taught us that punk isn’t just a fast tempo; it’s about honesty and authentic self-expression. We take those values – that grit from The Clash or the attitude of the Subhumans – and we apply them to what we see happening in the world today. If you aren’t being honest with yourself and your audience, then what’s the point?
Karen: Speaking of honesty, I’ve been dying to ask about the name. “Soapbox” carries such a strong image of someone standing up and making their voice heard. Is there a story there?
Tom: (Smiles) It’s actually a bit of a nod to the Beastie Boys! There’s a lyric in “Sure Shot” – “I’ve got more rhymes than there are steps on a soapbox.” It just clicked. We loved the wordplay, but more than that, we loved the symbolism. A soapbox is a platform for your truth. In a world where everyone is shouting, we wanted our “soapbox” to be our music.
Karen: I love that. It resonates so much with the ethos of the magazine – championing voices that actually have something to say. It’s about speaking your truth, even if your voice shakes. Or, in your case, even if it’s a roar! Now, I know the fans are already counting down the minutes, but can we give them a little teaser for the TRNSMT set? Any surprises?
Tom: Well, since it’s you, Karen… we’ve been locked in the studio lately, and we’ve decided that TRNSMT is the perfect place to debut some brand-new material. We’re evolving; we’re pushing the sound forward, but we’re keeping that signature Soapbox grit. The fans at the festival are going to be the first to hear where we’re headed next.
Karen: Oh, that is a massive exclusive! I cannot wait to see the reaction. Tom, it has been such a pleasure. Your passion for the local landscape is exactly why we do what we do. We’ll be right there in the front row cheering you on.
Tom: Thanks so much, Karen. It means the world.
Karen: To all our readers and listeners, make sure you keep your eyes on the Scottish Music Network website. We’ll be hosting Soapbox’s full festival schedule and all their upcoming tour dates online. Stay tuned, stay loud, and we’ll see you at the Green!
Thanks to Tom for taking the time to speak to Karen at Scottish Music Network.
Interview with Karen Edmond.
