Biography

Daring, dynamic and devastating – West Lothian’s Dictator aren’t here to mess about, at least when it comes to creating non-stop indie-pop anthems anyway. Stepping out of their shell with a substantial stomp in their stride, the four-piece refuse to be pigeonholed, as they emphatically strut through a sonic landscape of inventive indie licks, electrifying electronics, and perfectly prodigious pop grooves. With inspiration drawn from fellow genre-defiers Gorillaz, Glass Animals and Alt-J among others, Dictator’s musical boundaries know no limits – instead conveying their collectively charismatic personalities via the medium of originality and experimentation and channelled through a series of sumptuous synths, bone-shaking basslines, brash beats and playful-cum-tender lyricism. Make no mistake, everything you hear is intentional, dictating notes to their needs purposefully to deliver euphoric, upbeat choruses with just a dollop of heartbreak in between. Since their formation, the heights continue to get more and more dizzying for the quartet – from supporting Scottish icons, The Fratelli's, Glasvegas and The Reytons to bringing home accolades such as Best Rock/Alternative Band at the SAMA (Scottish Alternative Music Awards), The Weekender Magazine's Song of the Year in both 2020 and 2021 and reaching the final four of BBC Introducing's prestigious Scottish Act of the Year. Needless to say, Dictator are band with a big future and an open road paved in gold.