Ewan McVicar

For many outsiders, Scotland evokes images of windswept highlands, bagpipe-playing fusiliers, whisky distilleries, men wearing tartan kilts and mysterious tales of vast lochs - and, true, it's all those things and more.

Perhaps less well known, at least on a global scale, is the nation's affinity with dance music culture.

The country's second city, Glasgow, boasts a thriving nightlife scene that holds a candle to any of the world's best: London, Amsterdam, Berlin, New York. Even more remote places such as Dundee, Perth and Aberdeen, have come on leaps and bounds in recent years.

Scotland has produced some exemplary artists in years gone by: Slam, Harri and Dom from Sub Club, Jackmaster, Jasper James and one Calvin Harris. Ewan McVicar is the latest product of this talent pool.

Growing-up in isolated Ayrshire on Scotland's west coast, a career in dance music probably seemed like a pipe-dream to the region's starry-eyed youngsters. However, Ewan McVicar had other ideas.

Adopting a DIY-mentality and building his local scene from the foundations up, Ewan quickly gained a regional fan base. Nights honing his craft on his college campus and spending his spare time learning music production were, at best, misspent vocations for somebody studying a teaching degree!

Education's loss was dance music gain, though, as Ewan completely flipped to music upon graduating. Despite his mom’s protests, he never looked back. The rest, as they say, is history.

The pay-off was his international hit record, Tell Me Something Good, which would become a 2021 anthem for its chant-along-ability. Notching up radio plays, as well as spins in clubs, the track would pick-up numerous industry awards as it caught the attention of the scene's biggest tastemakers.

Ms. McVicar, it's fair to say your son has made it. You should be proud! The boy with big dreams from Ayr coming good. It's a modern day Scottish fairytale.