Girls.Speak.French: Glasgow’s Next Big Sound

Glasgow has long been a launchpad for some of the biggest names in music, and Girls.Speak.French are the latest band making serious waves from the heart of Scotland’s music capital. With their unique blend of indie and rock, emotionally sharp song writing, and an unmistakable style, the four-piece are quickly carving out their own space in the city’s rich musical landscape.

The band is fronted by vocalist Joshua Campbell, with Joe McLaren on bass, Gio Matvichuk on lead guitar, and Sam Lomas on drums. Originally, Campbell and Lomas started the project as a separate creative endeavour, but it was only when Matvichuk and McLaren joined that Girls.Speak.French truly found its identity. With a complete lineup and a shared vision, the band began building their name through compelling live shows and tightly crafted songs.

What sets Girls.Speak.French apart is their ability to fuse genres without losing their signature sound. Their music confidently moves between indie and rock, drawing inspiration from Scottish heavyweights like Paolo Nutini and Simple Minds, while still sounding entirely their own. This distinctive approach is evident across their early releases, including their debut single Britpop Genius, produced by Kevin Burleigh, and follow-up tracks Pocket Money (Dan’s Song) and Winona. All three tracks show a knack for memorable hooks, layered instrumentation, and lyrics that linger long after the song ends.

The past two years have been a turning point. Girls.Speak.French built a strong foundation with a run of live shows that quickly gained momentum. In 2023, they packed out Glasgow’s Van Winkle during the Tenement Trail Festival and sold out their first headline gig at the legendary King Tut’s Wah Wah Hut. Most recently, they delivered a standout performance at Variety Bar during the Houseguest Festival, another sell-out that confirmed their growing appeal.

But the band’s progress doesn’t stop on stage. Their musical evolution continues in the studio, where they’ve been refining their sound with fresh material. Earlier this year, they released the single Is There Any Space on the Moon?, accompanied by a striking music video directed by Megan McRitchie. Ethereal and introspective, the track and video pair perfectly, offering a glimpse into the band’s visual and emotional depth.

In May, they followed up with Miss Versailles, their most mature release to date. The track explores themes of lost love, emotional distance, and the quiet ache of rejection. But rather than leaning into melancholy, the song is wrapped in a shimmering, upbeat melody that contrasts its lyrical weight. Campbell’s vocals glide over lush instrumentation, delivering a performance that’s both vulnerable and vibrant. It’s the kind of track that showcases what Girls.Speak.French do best: emotional honesty, smart songwriting, and the ability to make sadness sound euphoric.

Girls.Speak.French are not just building songs—they’re building momentum. With a growing fanbase, an impressive live reputation, and a string of new releases that show real creative growth, the band is only just beginning their rise. For those just tuning in, now’s the time. Big things are coming.

Image of the band - GIGS IN SCOTLAND