STSS-11-10-26 UTR radars

Pete Ferguson’s latest venture sees him returning to his earliest influences, write Olaf Furniss and Derick Mackinnon

Pete Ferguson based his first compositions on harmonising to Belle & Sebastian songs in his parents’ car, before going on to make old school computer chiptune music. The latter evolved into him creating the electronic moniker Wu-Oh, where he would don a baboon costume for some captivating live performances. A major record deal followed which in turn led to him writing hits for the likes of Sophie Ellis-Bextor, D.O.D and Hannah Laing.

Now Ferguson Hi-Fi sees him return to his earliest musical influences, with Belle & Sebastian guitarist Stevie Jackson guesting on recordings, as well as Teenage Fanclub’s Dave McGowan.

In August the four-piece (which includes former members of the Van Ts and Lafontaines) made an instant impact with Get Over It, a 2.5 minute indie pop masterpiece championed by tastemakers 6 Music, Radio Scotland, Radio X and Amazing Radio.

The follow-up, Little Things (There’s Nothing Bigger), is released tomorrow and has echoes of the joyous sound exemplified by the likes of the Lightening Seeds, Supergrass and The Soup Dragons. It precedes an international debut at the Left Of The Dial Festival in the Netherlands and a home headline show at McChuills on 19 November. www.instagram.com/fergusonhifi

Olaf Furniss and Derick Mackinnon run music industry seminar and social night Born To Be Wide, see www.borntobewide.co.uk

Off Axis Tours CIC is a radical, musician-led social enterprise offering a fairer live music model. Artists retain £9 from every £10 of ticket income, tour the UK and Ireland through its unique gig-swap system and access opportunities at events including Belladrum Tartan Heart Festival, FOCUS Wales and Liverpool Sound City. Meet the Off Axis team at Un-Convention in Manchester from 21–23 October or sign up now at www.OffAxisTours.com