ALMOST FAMOUS: DICTATOR CONTINUE TO SET THE BAR HIGH WITH BRAND NEW SINGLE | INTERVIEW

INTERVIEW by Sam Shiner | SINGLE REVIEW by Anne Kelly

After a fairly quiet spell following the release of their sensational debut EP Rubik’s Cube in 2022, West Lothian genre fluid four piece Dictator are back doing what they do best; releasing new music and continuing to push the boundaries of their diversifying talent. Having jumped on the This Feeling bandwagon, the band are looking forward to expanding their reach and this summer will join line-ups at Isle of Wight Festival and later Truck Festival. These appearances succeed Dictator’s headline appearance on This Feelings exclusive stage at this years Edinburgh and Glasgow multi-venue Stag & Dagger Festival. But before this all gets in motion, Dictator are unveiling yet another unannounced new release with ‘Almost Famous‘.

“It’s the epitome of getting caught up in your own hype” explains Dictator frontman Michael Campbell “It’s a self deprecating look at what being a rock star is supposedly all about and a challenge to it, a reminder of how things could have panned out if we weren’t so lucky to be miserable failures in our own endeavours to be the best.”

The second single released by the band this year after April’s cradling ‘Stan Smith‘, ‘Almost Famous‘ brings Dictator right back up to the par they are notorious for. Wasting not a second of this 2 minute 40 second instant crowd pleaser; “Listen to me son, you’re not destined for this life. So go ahead and cash the cheque and leave it all behind” beats rhythmically from Michael in the opening breath of the track. Blending elements of rock, hip-hop and pop with an indietronica dance fusion; you really cannot pigeonhole this band and this track is absolutely no exception.

“So hold my wine while I blow your mind” has sing-a-long potential written all over it. The track oozes feel-good energy whilst maintaining that tongue in cheek character that Dictator capture so well. Despite it’s short length, this new song really hits with it’s melodic quality and hook laden energy. With the recent comparison to the latest effort by Fontaines DC’s ‘Starburster’, the band have positioned themselves right in the cusp of take off – the world is more than ready for this kind of Dictator-ship.

In addition to appearances at Isle of Wight (22/06) and Truck Festival (27/07), Dictator will also be playing Birmingham’s Sunflower Lounge on June 21st and Scotland’s Kelburn Garden Party on July 7th!

The band are running a very exclusive raffle right now, so to be in with a chance of winning the following head to the bands instagram or X now for details! Raffle closes Friday 31st May 23:59
• Candlemaker Row Test Press (1 of only 4 in existence!)
• custom Adidas x Dictator Trainers
• hand painted Dictator Skateboard deck

Watch (or listen) their latest interview with our very own Sam Shiner below where she chats to Dictator guitarist Zach and bass player Joe.

PART 1