Be Like Pablo
Be Like Pablo | |
|---|---|
Be Like Pablo (2024) | |
| Background information | |
| Origin | Forres, Scotland |
| Genres | Power pop, indie, rock |
| Years active | 2010–present |
| Members | Ewen Watson, Ross Watson, Andrew Stepien, Karen McLauchlan, Richard Marshall |
| Past members | Jamie Murphy |
| Website | www.belikepablo.com |
Be Like Pablo are a Scottish indie power pop band from Forres, Scotland. Formed in 2010, the band have released two studio albums and several singles, and have performed at UK music festivals and on national radio. Their sound has been described as melodic power-pop with strong harmonies and retro pop influences.[1][2]
History
Be Like Pablo were formed in 2010 by brothers Ewen and Ross Watson together with Jamie Murphy.[3] The group's debut album, The New Adventures, was released in 2013 through Stray Cat Records in the UK and ThisTime Records in Japan, and received a review in the independent music publication, musicOMH.[4][5]
Between 2017 and 2019 the band released a series of singles, recorded with producer Rocky O’Reilly.[6] Their second album, A World Apart, was released in 2024 and received an in-depth review by Poprock Record, where it was named one of the year's must-have LPs.[7][8]
The band has performed live on national radio, including sessions for BBC Radio 1 Scotland's Vic Galloway Show in 2010[9] and BBC Radio Scotland in 2012.[10] They have also performed at music events including T in the Park 2010, RockNess (2012) and the Belladrum Tartan Heart Festival.[11][12][3]
Musical style
The band’s music has been described as "witty, infectious geek rock" and compared to Weezer and The Cars by reviewers in Scottish music and culture publications.[13][14]
Reception
Be Like Pablo have received significant, independent, secondary coverage, including dedicated full album reviews from musicOMH[5] and Poprock Record[8], as well as features and coverage from outlets such as The Scotsman[1], Clash[2], and Is This Music?. A dedicated feature article on the band's influences appeared in Words and Guitars.[15] Their music has been described as "Quirky Scottish indie-rock in the style of a particularly giddy Weezer" by the New Musical Express (NME) magazine.[16] Additionally, BBC presenters such as Dermot O’Leary, Steve Lamacq and Vic Galloway have featured their music on air.[17][18][19][20]
Members
Current
- Ewen Watson
- Ross Watson
- Andrew Stepien
- Karen McLauchlan
- Richard Marshall[16]
Former
- Jamie Murphy[21]
Discography
Studio albums
Selected singles
- "Julianne / The Post-It Song" (2010)
- "Spirit of Adventure" (2011)
- "Someone to Love" (2012)
- "Without the Pain" feat. Kuda (2013).[20]
- "There She Is" (2017).[13]
- "My Kind of Girl" (2018).[22]
References
- ^ a b "Under the Radar: Be Like Pablo". The Scotsman. March 21, 2017. Retrieved December 4, 2025.
- ^ a b "Be Like Pablo Ask: 'Do You Wanna Go Surfin?'". Clash Magazine. June 22, 2018. Retrieved December 4, 2025.
- ^ a b McCartney, Garry (August 21, 2022). "Be Like Pablo make live return". Forres Gazette. Retrieved December 4, 2025.
- ^ a b "Be Like Pablo – The New Adventures". Discogs. Retrieved December 4, 2025.
- ^ a b Raymond, Max (August 7, 2013). "Be Like Pablo – The New Adventures". musicOMH. Retrieved December 4, 2025.
- ^ Fulton, Rick (May 10, 2019). "Ticket". Daily Record. p. 38.
- ^ a b "A World Apart – Be Like Pablo". SAY Award. 2024. Retrieved December 4, 2025.
- ^ a b "Poprock Record's 25 must-have LPs for 2024 (Includes full review of A World Apart)". Poprock Record. January 9, 2025. Retrieved December 4, 2025.
- ^ "BBC Radio 1: Vic Galloway Show". BBC. March 26, 2010. Retrieved December 5, 2025.
- ^ "BBC Radio Scotland: The Music Week". BBC. May 25, 2012. Retrieved December 5, 2025.
- ^ "T in the Park 2010 Running Order". The List. Retrieved December 4, 2025.
- ^ "Local acts to rock RockNess". Inverness Courier. Retrieved December 4, 2025.
- ^ a b "Be Like Pablo Channel Geek Chic". Clash Magazine. February 21, 2017. Retrieved December 4, 2025.
- ^ Smith, Kenny (March 16, 2018). "When sounds of the sixties meet the nineties". Scottish Field. Retrieved December 4, 2025.
- ^ Baptie, Douglas (March 26, 2018). "Chapter & Verse: Be Like Pablo". Words and Guitars. Retrieved December 4, 2025.
- ^ a b "Forres band Be Like Pablo are launching A World Apart at The Carlton Hotel on Saturday night". Forres Gazette. Retrieved December 4, 2025.
- ^ "BBC Radio 1 – Dermot O'Leary". BBC. Retrieved December 4, 2025.
- ^ "BBC Radio – Steve Lamacq". BBC. Retrieved December 4, 2025.
- ^ Sneddon, Christopher (July 11, 2024). "Be Like Pablo 'A World Apart' Review". SNACK Magazine. Retrieved December 4, 2025.
- ^ a b "Single Review: Be Like Pablo – 'Without the Pain' (feat. Kuda)". Renowned For Sound. Retrieved December 4, 2025.
- ^ "Be Like Pablo interview". IGIGS. July 11, 2013. Retrieved December 4, 2025.
- ^ "Be Like Pablo – My Kind of Girl". Is This Music?. 2018. Retrieved December 4, 2025.