“It looks like we’re getting a bit of traction now.”
Jack Dailly wasn’t exactly sure what path lay in wait when initially writing and performing tunes in the music department of St John’s Academy.
He would go round to fellow band member Finn Freeburn Morrison’s house - and vice-versa - trying out new lyrics and sounds to then get the nod of approval from pals before taking on the next challenge.
Five years on and Perth underground pop band Parliamo, fresh from an appearance at TRNSMT Festival at Glasgow Green, appear to have the world at their feet and are heading in only one direction.
Jack (vocals), Finn (guitar/ keys), Mairi Sutherland (vocals/acoustic guitar), Fraser Nicholson (guitar), Finlay Mcelnea (bass) and Andrew Haxton (drums) - the latter the only one not from the Fair City - put on a belter of a River Stage set.
It was a milestone moment for the band and evidence that many hours, days, weeks, months and years of hard work is coming to fruition at an exciting time.
“It was unbelievable,” smiled Jack (21). “We were excited for months and could not wait.”
Cheered onto the stage with the Parliamo name echoing around the greenspace, an enthusiastic crowd of local supporters through from Perth, coupled with intrigued music fans from across the country, gathered in great numbers.
“It got closer and we were getting a bit nervous, wondering what the crowd was going to be like,” Jack added.
“We knew it would be quite busy, but not how many as actually turned up. That was a nice surprise. We got there on the day, the sun was shining and there was loads of folk.
“It was the best feeling ever. We came off the stage and were going nuts. Loving it.”
Front and centre in the crowd was the welcome sight of a St Johnstone flag fluttering in the light breeze.
“There were people on each others’ shoulders just going for it and there was even a big St Johnstone flag,” said Jack, who would love to play in front of a McDiarmid Park audience one day.
“It was slap-bang in the middle of the crowd and it got chucked up to us at one point, so we held it up.
“I was a season ticket at Saints for all my sins. I stay in Glasgow now so don’t get to games as often.”
Glasgow was where Parliamo really started to get their first big breaks but Perth - and home - is always where the heart is and the early days bashing out some tunes in local watering holes will never be forgotten.
“We have been playing as a band since 2017,” Jack explained.
“It was myself and Finn, then the rest of the troops all from Perth initially.
“We would play in the Green Room at first and the Forty Four Bar and Lounge. We had a couple of gigs in there.
“All of our pals would come along and it would be mad. You know what Perth can be like.
“I was actually a bit scared when we started in case we were going to be embarrassed but it was fine, folk took to it and our pals were on board.
“The nerves disappeared after the first couple of gigs because we knew that people were liking the tunes.
“Initially we didn’t really know what way it was going to go, but everyone was having a good time.
“We just love playing the Perth gigs. We had one at the theatre at the end of last year and then played at a festival outside of the concert hall a couple of months ago. There were loads of familiar faces.”
A personal favourite of Jack’s is the Caledonian Bar on the High Street. He is a regular and often provides evening entertainment for delighted locals.
“That’s just myself though, pub tunes and covers,” he smiled. “I love it. We all love the Cale. When you get the tunes going it’s a great laugh. Every Christmas Eve I’ll play in there.”
Of course, Parliamo has a decent following from Perth but their popularity is stretching to different regions and even across the pond.
Jack admits: “It can take a bit of time to get the support, especially from places outwith where you are actually from.
“We started playing in Glasgow with some support slots and trying to slowly build it.
“Over the years our following built up a bit more so that we could sell out our own gigs. As it went on, we went further afield and it was kind of like a natural progression.
“We were over in Texas at South by Southwest Festival earlier this year and played three gigs in Austin.
“A couple of years ago we were in New York too. There was Paris this year as well. We’ve been to a few places. We hoped to get to places like that and we used to sit and talk about it.
“But you don’t necessarily think it’s going to happen. When it does, it’s just class. Pure cheesin’ and happy all the time.
“We went down really well in America, we had a really great laugh and the gigs were really good.
“Although we did have folk coming up to us after saying: ‘I had no idea what you’re saying, man.’
“But they were right on board with the band and just seem to love Scottish people.”
A festival closer to home, much closer to home, is just around the corner and Parliamo can’t wait to take to the stage at Scone Palace-based Otherlands this month.
“We are playing Otherlands and I really hope it goes well,” Jack said. “The line-up is good and I hope it’s a success, especially because it’s a camping festival.
“The only other big one I can think of in Scotland is Belladrum. If you had another camping festival which can grow and grow every year, that would be dead good.
“I went to T in the Park when I was 13, 14, or 15. I didn’t camp but just loved it. I thought it was the best thing ever.”
New single ‘What’s That Got To Do With Anything’ has recently dropped and will certainly have the crowd jumping.
“It’s a pretty summery tune, has a bit of a groove and is a bit of a dancier one,” Jack explained to the PA.
“We thought we should bring that one out at the start of summer. You put a lot of time and effort into the music so it’s nice when people enjoy it.”
Music has always been in Jack’s life - his mum was a music teacher at Pitlochry and dad plays the guitar - and the enjoyment factor is what it is all about.
“We have loads of tunes that we’re needing to get out and we’ll announce two Scottish headline shows towards the end of the year,” he revealed.
“I want to get a full length album out, play more gigs down south and in Europe and reach bigger crowds.
“But we want to have fun with it. As long as we’re having fun, we’ll be doing this.”
