AUDIENCES are set to catch their first glimpse of Poster Paints as they prepare to play their debut shows next week.

The duo will be supporting Teenage Fanclub in Edinburgh, Aberdeen and Glasgow – and will perform their first headline show at the Poetry Club in Glasgow on October 7.

The project was formed in lockdown as Frightened Rabbits guitarist Simon Liddell and award-nominated singer-songwriter Carla J Easton brought some ideas together.

As Poster Paints, they have released two tracks so far with Never Saw It Coming following from their debut track Number 1.

The response to the first single was emphatic, with Never Saw It Coming certainly turning heads.

Of the new single, Liddell tells The Weekender: "This was the first track we wrote together. The whole album was made during lockdown, but this track set the tone for how we'd write together.

"We wrote remotely, sending ideas back and forward, which made for a pretty relaxed process as, obviously, we had a lot of free time on our hands.

"We were really fortunate to get funding from Creative Scotland which let us bring in various other musician friends to work on it with us and develop our ideas.

He adds: "It's quite a reflective song. There's sort of a juxtaposition with creating big soundscapes from the confines of your bedroom studio – the escapism you desperately seek – with those quieter inner thoughts that also arise from being in the same space all the time and staring out a window."

For Liddell and Easton, the whole process has been a little upside down, but they have been emboldened by the reception their work has garnered in such a short space of time.

The response has been amazing," Liddell says. "There's been such enthusiasm that it made us realise it has the potential to be more than just a lockdown project.

"There wasn't a grand plan for releasing the material, or even playing live, as our focus was primarily working out how we could create and collaborate remotely. Under normal circumstances we'd probably have performed some live shows to test the waters and refine the songs before committing to studio recordings so it's a bit back to front.

"Everyone's support has been wonderful and breathed new life into the project beyond the constraints in which it was formed."

He adds: "It's been a long time since either of us have started a new band from scratch, so it feels fresh and exciting. It feels a bit like our first band again. It's great to have a horizon of firsts.

The Poster Paints live debut will be on Tuesday, September 14, at the Assembly Room in Edinburgh, supporting Teenage Fanclub. They open again for the band at the Beach Ballroom in Aberdeen on Wednesday, September 15, and once more at The Barrowlands in Glasgow the following night.

It is a handful of dates any band would love as their opening salvo, and a week of special company for the duo. A return to live performance – with all the uncertainty and nervousness – will also be at the forefront of their minds.

Easton adds: "All bands will be feeling a bit of nerves about playing again – it's been such a while since the last time anyone played shows. But to an extent the audience members are in the same boat – there'll be some anxiety about returning to live music venues and crowds, which is totally understandable.

"Our first shows are supporting Teenage Fanclub which is really exciting – they're one of our all-time favourite bands, and a major influence.

"We've loved playing these songs in rehearsal and translating these recordings into a live experience. It's a bit life affirming…to be able to do what you love doing again."

Poster Paints will play a headline show at The Poetry Club in Glasgow on October 7.

Tickets are available at www.gigsinscotland.com/artist/poster-paints