"It is time for the people of Scotland to stand up and take responsibility for our own actions and make the decisions that best suit our country," says Grant Hutchison, drummer with acclaimed Scottish band Frightened Rabbit. Indeed, Scotland is on the eve of a great change. There is no doubt that regardless of tonight's referendum on Independence, the impact will forever alter the way that Scotland view their own identity, sense of self, and world standing.
"Come burl around my body, Scottish blood," sing the band on the stirring call to arms track 'Scottish Winds'. "I'll try not to spill a drop, oh I'm sure you've spilled enough - and the English fucking rule, who mean nothing to these times - ah, run forever in my veins, bold Scottish blood."
Needless to say, their nationality is quintessential to Frightened Rabbit - and their own sense of independence is a fundamental atom in their DNA.
"You can certainly draw parallels between ourselves and what an independent Scotland could be," says Grant, speaking of his band's own struggles from obscurity to success. "We started out ourselves working hard, putting on gigs and not making a lot of money, and then it slowly progressed to where we are now. It's fun and we've enjoyed it but it's been really hard work and at times frustrating. Not everyone has got their way or got what they wanted but that's not really the point.
"We've made a lot of decisions for the good of the band. That's exactly what it's going to be like for an independent Scotland."
This past weekend, F'Rabbit found themselves sharing a bill with fellow indie heroes from North of the border, Franz Ferdinand and Mogwai at a special 'Vote Yes Scotland' gig in Edinburgh. In an age where musicians speaking out about political causes is becoming more and more of a rarity, it was a bold move for all concerned - but Grant argues it was an essential one, considering what's at stake.
"The crowd were obviously predominantly decided on what way they were voting so it wasn't so much about changing people's minds as such, but I think it was more to motivate people that were already voting yes to then go out and really do all they can to convince the undecided what way to vote," says Grant of Sunday's show. "I have in past spoken to Stuart (Braithwaite) from Mogwai about it and he's quite vocal in his backing for yes. We're not politicians, we're not there to pull out stats and facts - there was just a really positive energy in the room."
Summing up the general mood of the nation, be they voting aye or naye, Grant succinctly puts it: "A lot of people don't see this as a political decision, it's a decision for the good of our country. It has a very different meaning to people voting Labour or Tory or whatever. Once this is over, that'll be enough for us."
Grant on stage with brother Scott at Frightened Rabbit's Brixton Academy show. Photo: Gigwise/Justine Trickett
Politicians they may not be, but Grant and his fellow Scot artists are certainly realists when it comes to the long-term implications of what a potential 'yes' vote could bring. Like he himself with Frightened Rabbit has experienced, it's a long, tough and troublesome road when you take on the world on your own terms.
"It's not going to be that easy straight away and there's going to be a lot of uncertainty and decisions will be made that not everyone will like," he admits. "The reason for voting yes is to make a country that's fairer and does more for everyone's interests. There's never any kind of final solution in terms of running a country, we just want a government that we trust more than the one we've got now. I think the majority of the Yes campaign understand that it will take time to get it right, but it's worth it."
And what if the majority say 'NO'?
"I really try not to think about it," he winces. "Whatever the outcome, I think us and most people will back it and support it because it's still our country, it's still Scotland. That's what's important."
He continues: "It's something that I would be genuinely devastated if it didn't happen, and I don't often feel that way about politics. It's not a decision that we are making or has been put forward because life is currently unbearable, it's about what positive change we can make as an independent country going forward.
"Life won't dramatically change either way, but one good thing that has come out of this campaign is that it has engaged people - over 90% of Scotland has now registered to vote because of this referendum. That alone is a good thing. It's really sparked people's interest in politics and put a spotlight on the way that the country is being run at the moment. We now have a country standing up for themselves, which is great."
Now is your time, Scotland - whatever you vote for, you're voting for change in varying degrees. The future has never been closer. When you vote, make the best vote for Scotland.
