DICTATOR
From one East Coast to the next – meet Dictator. Hip hop beats, funk, jazz and indie collide to create one of Scotland’s most fiercely original bands.
Since forming in 2019, the West Lothian four-piece – consisting of vocalist Michael Campbell, guitarist Zach Tarimo Goodhur, bassist Joe Murty, and drummer Allan Ramsay – have consistently defied expectations of what a guitar band should be, unafraid to experiment and push their sound into exciting new territories, without ever taking themselves too seriously.
Citing influences as widespread as Gorillaz, Alt-J, Nas, Action Bronson, DJ Premier and Portishead, they’re a band driven by brash hip hop beats, boom-bap stylings and funky basslines as much as they are anthemic choruses and indie licks, and since signing to Blackhall Records in 2021, they’ve added more layers to their melting pot of influences with each release.
Championed by tastemakers at BBC 6 Music, their latest EP, wryly titled ‘Middle of the Road’, exhibits this perfectly. Despite what its title suggests, it’s a fresh, vibrant collection emboldened by the influence of 90s hip hop, an inventive use of samples, tongue-in-cheek lyrics and undeniable swagger, all while spanning topics as disparate as their adoration of footballing heroes to the loss of a family pet. Nothing is off limits for Dictator – their sound may be maturing and their focus may be shifting, but they’re still driven by a collective desire to have fun along the way.
Of course, they may be rooted in Scotland, but the Scottish music scene does not define this four-piece, nor does it confine them. Their bold and audacious style has garnered a growing, loyal fanbase that now stretches far beyond the confines of their hometown – gaining support from the likes of A-list actor Robert Carlyle, bestselling author Ian Rankin, and former Radio 1 DJ Phil Taggart. Meanwhile, they’ve taken their fun, eccentric and now renowned live show to festivals and venues across the UK and further afield to much acclaim, as well high-profile support slots with the likes of Glasvegas and Young Fathers.
Simply put, Dictator have found their lane and they’re flourishing in it. No stage is too big for this four-piece, and it’s time to tune into their most exciting chapter yet.