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1.) We’re super-excited to be speaking today with acclaimed Scottish alt-rockers Silver Dollar Room; greetings and salutations gang and thank you for taking time out of a busy schedule to speak with us here at Vents Magazine! Before we dive into the Q&A mosh-pit, could you all say ‘hi’ and introduce yourselves to our ever-inquisitive readers?
Hello – I’m John and I sing.
Hi – I’m Jamie and I play lead guitar and sing.
Hi there – I’m Doug and I play drums
Hi – I’m Jen and I play rhythm guitar
Hello – I’m Ryan and I play bass!
2.) Major kudos and accolades on the freshly minted new single Monsters which is set to light up record charts around the ever-loving globe when it makes its eagerly anticipated debut this July 4! John, can you give readers the VH1-Behind the Music origin story on one of the best new singles of ‘25? What inspired this gem of a ditty?
‘Monsters’ is inspired by the BBC documentary ‘Three Girls’, it tackles the painful subject of the Rochdale child abuse scandal, shedding light on how working-class girls were systematically failed by authorities who dismissed their voices, branding them as unreliable and liars. It is a damning critique of societal and institutional neglect, giving a voice to the voiceless and holding up a mirror to the failures of those in power.
3.) Jamie, on the same day that the Monsters single drops, a crackling pip of a companion music video premieres – Congratulations! How involved was Silver Dollar Room in the overall look and aesthetic of this rousing video?
I think we were so lucky to work with Sergio and Penny, who basically took our production brief and turned it into something amazing. We gave them the back story of ‘Monsters’ and where the influence came from, and they developed a script that really hits hard. This isn’t a video that will put smiles on faces, and neither should it.
4.) Douglas, who did the producing honours on Monsters and what did the in-studio collaboration between artists and producer look like while fashioning and shaping the new tune?
‘Monsters’ was produced by our very own Jamie Turnbull. The new album was written in the winter of 2024/25 and ‘Monsters’ was one of the very first songs to be completed. It was a very natural process. Jamie came up with the guitar riff and we built the song around the guitar and drums, layering the vocals/melodies on top and making sure the structure was finalised before going into the studio to record.
5.) Jen, in your humble opinion what differentiates Monsters from the Distinguished Competition on the 2025 music scene.
The wall of layered sound pierced by the emotional and haunting vocal hooks really grabs your attention. The subject matter of the song is also very poignant and heart breaking.
6.) Ryan, in the wake of the July 4 release of the highly anticipated Monsters single, can fans look forward to catching Silver Dollar Room on the touring/performing circuit?
Absolutely! We will be having our album launch on the 13th of September in our home turf in Edinburgh. We are in the process of organising more gigs around then, including the Orkney Rock Festival the weekend before and shows in the north of England.
7.) John, word ‘round industry campfire has it that Silver Dollar Room is set to premiere their new sophomore album It Can’t Rain All The Time on September 12 – Congrats again! Can you give readers a hint or three as to what they can expect and look forward to from the new album?
The album dives deep into some of society’s most pressing issues. It explores themes of male suicide, destructive relationships, class divide, addiction, poverty, wealth, and greed. Heavy subject matters I know! but it also has an uplifting feel and is layered with catchy hooks, melody and optimism.
8.) A question for all of you! Who are some of the folks both in and out of the world of music who have informed and influenced you both professionally and personally?
Where do we begin! We take inspiration from early Delta Blues pioneers like Robert Johnson and Son House, to genre defining legends like Prince, Smashing Pumpkins, Manic Street Preachers, Alice in Chains, Soundgarden, Stone Temple Pilots, Velvet Revolver, and Hundred Reasons. If it is raw, passionate, and unforgettable, it is on our radar.
9.) Jamie, how did Silver Dollar Room come together to form the tight and harmonious band which we hear to such tremendous and stunning effect on the new Monsters single?
This started with me and Doug making music together for some fun. There was never really an intention for it to be a ‘proper’ project. After lockdown ended, we went into the studio to record what would become our debut album, ‘Gilded Echoes’. Whilst recording, we recognised that this was something special, so we recruited John to add some vocals for us, and he knocked it into overdrive in a way we were not expecting. It quickly became just too good not to do something with, resulting in the release of our debut album in 2024, with our first bass player and rhythm guitarist. Sadly, they had to leave, resulting in us bringing in Ryan and Jen just as we had finished recording the second record.
10.) Douglas, at the end of the day what do you hope listeners walk away with after giving many-a-spin to the upcoming Silver Dollar Room Single Monsters?
Given the subject matter, we hope listeners take away more than just awareness. We want them to feel the weight of the injustice, we want the girls’ stories to be heard and for people to recognise the courage it takes to speak out, especially when no one is listening. This song is about giving them the dignity and space they were denied and taking the listener on that journey.
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