Glasgow singer Lou Hickey urges 'rethink' on music careers

(The other half was Jon Lawler of The Fratellis.)

“People think music means ‘get famous’, but there’s so much more,” says Lou.

Lou Hickey (Image: Alistair Clark)

“There’s sound engineering, music therapy, box office roles, lighting techs, poster and flyer design, venue management, teaching, touring logistics …. there are so many ways to build a life in music.”

Lou adds: “We need to stop pretending it’s just about being the person on the mic.”

Lou Hickey (Image: Justin Moir)

Lou, who grew up in Neilston and now lives on the Southside of Glasgow, says she was “surrounded by music” as a child.

“My Dad was a musician and used to play in country bands - as well as being a structural engineer,” she explains.

“I started playing piano at age six, and have been singing and writing songs for as long as I can remember.”

Lou, who studied Applied Music at Strathclyde University, says she has “never been unemployed” in the music industry.

“I’ve always had work in music in various different forms,” she says, adding with a frown: “That really annoys me when people say, ‘oh, but is that a proper job?’”

She sighs. “Yes. It’s skilled. It’s essential. And it brings a huge amount to the economy, not just for performers, but for everyone backstage too.”

Now a lecturer at Glasgow Kelvin College, Lou says teaching is the “most fulfilling role of her career” - and proof that music is a viable profession.

Glasgow Kelvin College has become a cornerstone of Scotland’s music industry, known for turning out some of the country’s most exciting emerging talent - both on stage and behind the scenes.

At the heart of that reputation is Electric Honey, the college’s student-run record label, which is celebrating 30 years of launching iconic acts like Snow Patrol, Biffy Clyro and Belle & Sebastian. Described as “the most successful student label in the world” by Uncut Magazine, it continues to champion the next generation through live showcases and hands-on industry training.

Lou said: “Teaching is 100 percent the most rewarding thing I’ve done. What’s more glamorous than literally getting to come in every day and sing or play piano?

“I can’t be going on a tour again. There was that part of me that wanted the stability, after so many years of uncertainty. Coming back into lecturing was like a no-brainer.”

Lou adds: “To me, music is a trade. And everyone in here has lived it and worked it, you know, from various different angles. So we can actually show them: this is why you need to know this.

“We’ve had people teaching here who were in The Bluebells, Aztec Camera — musicians with real experience. I genuinely love sharing that with the students.”

Lou said she’s seen students go on to rack up millions of streams, play major gigs and appear on national TV but the best part is watching them find confidence in themselves.

“I always said if I could just work in music, I’d be happy,” she says. “That’s still true. I feel really lucky to be doing this.”