The fast-rising duo talk sudden momentum, protecting their Glasgow identity and the King Tut’s moment they will never forget.
Scratchcard Wednesday seem to have arrived with a proper burst of energy around them. The Glasgow duo of Tyrese Ojo and Dexter Brady have built a growing audience through songs including “SOBER”, “SINNER” and “DAISY”, backed by the kind of personality that makes people want to come along for the ride.
From street interviews and social media clips to rapidly rising streaming figures, festival appearances and a sold-out King Tut’s, everything currently appears to be moving in the right direction. However, as the pair explain, what looks like sudden momentum from the outside has taken several years to build.
Ahead of their appearance at Belladrum, we caught up with Scratchcard Wednesday to talk about the journey so far, why remaining in Glasgow mattered and the remarkable moment a King Tut’s audience learned their new song in less than 24 hours.
Scratchcard Wednesday seem to have landed with a proper burst of energy around them: big tunes, big personality and people already rooting for you. Does it feel like things have moved quickly, or has this been building longer than it might look from the outside?
Recently, things have been moving, which is class, but it has taken a couple of years to get where we are. It seems like we are in the right place at the right time, with the socials, live shows and streams all seeming to be going up, which we are so grateful for.
Songs like “SOBER”, “SINNER” and “DAISY” have that instant, addictive quality that makes people come back to them. When you are writing, do you know quite early when a song has that Scratchcard Wednesday spark?
Aww, you are way too kind. We have been super lucky recently that most songs we are writing right now seem to be coming out. We are just keen on getting tunes out as soon as possible, as we don’t want people to get bored of seeing the same tunes on socials, haha.
You both come from Glasgow, and there is a real confidence and humour around the band. How much does the city shape the sound and attitude of what you do?
It means everything to us. When we first got into the industry, we were told to move to London, but we are so glad we didn’t, as we would have lost our identity. From the content we film to Ty’s accent, it’s so important that we have that Glasgow identity.
A lot of people may have first found you through TikTok and the street videos, but the music clearly stands up on its own. Was it important to prove early on that Scratchcard Wednesday was more than just a social media moment?
It did take time to get our music numbers to the same point as the street interviews. We are super grateful that we had that initial moment, as it gave us the confidence to keep posting even when things were slow.
Selling out King Tut’s is still one of those Glasgow milestones that means something. What did that night tell you about the connection people were starting to have with the band?
It was amazing. We put out a song the night before called “HEAVEN & HEARTACHE”. We played it at King Tut’s and somehow everyone had learned the lyrics in less than 24 hours. We are so grateful to everyone in that room for giving us that unforgettable moment.
Belladrum has a lovely way of putting bands in front of people who might not know them yet, then sending them away as fans. What would you want someone seeing Scratchcard Wednesday for the first time there to take from the set?
Cover your ears, haha. Kidding on. We just hope you have a good time and don’t forget us.
With songs designed to stick and a Glasgow identity they were wise enough not to leave behind, forgetting Scratchcard Wednesday may prove difficult. Their Belladrum set offers the duo another opportunity to turn curious festival-goers into part of their rapidly growing crowd, and perhaps create another of those moments when everyone suddenly seems to know the words.
Scratchcard Wednesday play the Garden Stage on Saturday and Belladrum 2026 at 3pm
