All about Us - and a Geneva reunion - for singer Andrew Montgomery

For one Scots singer-songwriter, the Star Shaped festival is a welcome homecoming – but it is only half the story.

East Kilbride-born Andrew Montgomery, former frontman of 90s indie pop chart hits Geneva, will be performing some of the band’s best known songs at the event.

And the night before, he’ll be on stage in the southside’s Glad Café with his new outfit, Us.

“I can’t wait,” smiles Andrew. “It will be fun to do both. It’s just great to have the chance to play music from both bands.”

Us, Andrew’s collaboration with Swedish musician Leo Josefsson, is the big story – this electronic pop duo is already picking up great reviews and airplay in Sweden and online – but Geneva fans should listen very carefully….

“We have been seriously chatting about doing something together again,” says Andrew, of his former bandmates. “Which would be amazing. We couldn’t do it in time for this gig, it wasn’t the right moment.

“But yes, we are testing the water….”

This will be happy news for the legions of fans who have faithfully supported Andrew and his music despite the demise of the band.

Geneva were a breath of fresh air on the indie pop scene in the mid-90s, enjoying four Top 40 hits and a Top 20 album with their debut Further.

“It’s really fantastic so many people remember the band, and love the music,” says Andrew, who also released a solo album, Ruled by Dreams, in 2014.

Andrew’s collaboration with Leo, who is part of the creative collective House of Wizards and already well known in Sweden as the frontman of the synth pop band Lowe, began at a drunken karaoke session.

“I blame Glen Campbell,” jokes Andrew.

“Leo and I were at a mutual friend’s barbecue, and I got up and sang Rhinestone Cowboy, as you do.

“Leo came up to me afterwards and said he thought it would be cool if we did some tracks in the studio together - so we did.”

After four well-received singles – Til the Dying of the Light, Mute, Voyager and the current one, My Heart’s Desire – the first Us album is on the cards.

Andrew describes it as “80s film music, with synth pop influences – the Cocteau Twins are never far away, let’s be honest” and says he is hopeful an album could be released early next year.

“We’ve had a good reaction online and now we want to try and play live as much as possible, to keep up the momentum.”

With work – Andrew is a writer and editor – and family – Leo has two young daughters – that could be tricky, admits Andrew, but they have been looking at other dates across Europe.

“It is just a question of time – we are doing all of this ourselves,” he says. “That’s why it’s so great to be in Glasgow for two nights.”

Glasgow band The Pelts, whose new single Who could love me now/Another Place, has been played by Steve Lamacq on 6Music, is supporting Us at the Glad Café on Pollokshaws Road on September 14.

“It’s a really lovely venue and we’re very grateful to Graham at The Pelts for organising it,” says Andrew, adding with a grin: “Leo has never been to Glasgow, so I’m looking forward to showing him the city.”

Andrew and Leo will be joined by Mats Jonsson the following night to perform some “stripped down” Geneva songs at Star Shaped.

The festival has moved to the O2 Academy following the Glasgow School of Art fire which badly damaged the O2 ABC on Sauchiehall Street.

The line-up for Star Shaped includes Echobelly, The Supernaturals, My Life Story and Ultrasound.

“I’m really proud of Us and what we have produced so far, so it will be great to perform live,” says Andrew.

“And to get the chance to do Geneva songs again is lovely. Doing music, loving performing the songs and other people loving what you do – that’s what it’s all about.”

Us will be performing at The Glad Café on September 14. Andrew Montgomery will be appearing at Star Shaped in the O2 Academy on September 15.

Find out more at http://starshaped.club/festival/