Johnny Smillie and Monica Queen of Tenement & Temple chat with Jim - Part two

Episode 95 of Jim & Pat’s Glasgow West End Chat - Johnny Smillie and Monica Queen of Tenement & Temple  - part two

The second part of my chat with Glasgow’s own music legends Monica Queen and Johnny Smillie - of the band Tenement and Temple. 

Johnny is known for his accomplished guitar playing, songwriting and as an in-demand music producer and Monica for her musicianship, songwriting and her incredible voice. 

Gary Lightbody of Snow Patrol said, Monica possesses one of the "greatest ever voices to come out of Scotland'. I couldn’t argue with that. :-)

Apart from their own musical adventures - which stretch back to the 1980s and include the indie rock band Thrum, they have collaborated with, among others: Bell and Sebastian, Chris Connelly, James Grant of Love & Money, Chris Coco. Monica has duetted with none other than Shane McGowan of the Pogues.

We chat about how they met, their musical influences, record deals, their adventures in America and working with big-name producers - including our very own Edwin Collins. 

Links

• Tenement & Temple on Bandcamp
• Pat's Guide to Glasgow West End.
• @glasgowswestend

Music by Jim Byrne