SURGO MEETS REUBEN CURRAN

Abstract

Congratulations Reuben on the many successes of your band :Panic :Over! It’s been a whirlwind - winning Battle of the Bands competition, having your music soundtracking events on ITV and the BBC, playing to sold out shows across the UK, touring Ireland and being selected to represent Northen Ireland at the Osaka Expo 2025 in Japan.​

Thank you! Yeah – it’s been a bit mad, but great fun.​

So, tell us how did it all begin?​​

The four of us met at my sixteenth birthday party and thought “We should start a band”. Just as we were setting up our jamming sessions – COVID-19 struck. I remember us trying to practice together during those early days – online at first then outside with social distancing – it’s not what you would say is ideal or the usual “rock band” origin story. Also – my guitar skills were very limited at the beginning!​

I’m sure you are just being modest! Were you musical at an early age?​

I feel like I've probably been singing before I can even remember; sometimes I joke that it began when I came out of the womb! When I was about seven years old my mum asked me whether I wanted to play football or rugby, but in response, I told her that I just wanted to learn to play the piano! I never looked back and still play it frequently to this day, having also spent some time playing the oboe during my school years. I had a few guitar lessons at the age of 11 but didn’t pick it back up properly until the band started going.

Tell us what’s happened since 2020?​

After a bit of practice, we started busking and playing in bars- mainly playing covers. Soon we started writing our own songs – which was fun – and releasing our own music on Spotify.​

Our first “ticketed” show was in 2022 – that was amazing! I remember everything about that night. 2023 – we entered the“Battle of the Bands” competition. THAT was just incredible.When we got into the finals it was a mad run to change my flights and family holiday plans etc just to make it physically to the finals. We only went and won it! Since then, it’s been more gigs, tours and most recently Japan!

Wow that sounds amazing! Can you share some highlights from your exciting rock and roll life?​

The electric feeling of playing your music live to people who like it! That’s just indescribable! (Reader at this point, Reuben’s face glowed with a light within –eyes alive, smile uncontainable, as if the music itself was shining through them). The incredible opportunities - meeting people, visiting and experiencing different parts of the world: Japan, London, Galway. It’s brilliant! Osaka for example – it was so different! The beautiful architecture, the culture, the food … the wagyu beef was unreal! Of course, we also visited UniversalStudios and I bought a guitar from one of the awesome stores in the city!​

You’ll always remember Osaka when yousee / play that guitar! Now all this sounds really terrific – but hold on. Aren’t you a medical student, studying a demanding professional degree? How do you square the rock and roll life, with band practice, writing music all that stuff with studying /passing exams? Some of us struggle with just the studying bit!​

That’s a good question: I’ve always wanted to do Medicine. So that will always be a priority. We generally have some notice to our music events. I just make sure I have my studying scheduled-in ahead of time, so I can really be 100% present during the performances you know. Have fun and enjoy the whole experience. Not have that fun bit marred by trying to squeeze studying in while travelling or when the rest of the band is having fun. That balance seems to work.​

Fabulous! Being organised, planning and spacing studying with fun things. The epitome of “work-life balance” but also“work hard, play hard”. Being resourceful and having a back up plan too – from that holiday-competition finals story!​

I find that having different interests, hobbies and activities outside of the “work of medicine” gives me perspective and helps me balance my head out. It also helps me knuckle down and focus on medicine when I am supposed to. Does music do that for you? Can you share a little bit more?​

Throughout my time studying medicine, the importance of keeping a work-life balance has been stressed by many senior students and teaching staff. Having music as an ​

outlet whether going solo in my uni flat or linking up with the boys back at home has been so beneficial alongside my studies. If I’m ever feeling worked up after a stressful day it quickly takes the weight off my shoulders. It’s also a really nice way of separating my studies into chunks; especially when my guitar is only as far as the corner of my room!

Looking at your life now: what would you say to your 16-year-old self if you had the chance?​

If I had the chance I would probably say something along the lines of “keep at it, you’re doing great!” Deciding to study medicine probably happened around the​

same time as the birth of :Panic :Over. I knew that I would have both to contend with, albeit I didn’t realise that the jamming around with my mates would go on to givethe opportunities that it has done to this day.I have met so many amazing people through studying medicine here in Glasgow, and through playing music for others, near and far – I wouldn’t change it for a thing, and I’m so grateful to have both!​

And looking forwards : where do you see yourself in 5–10 years' time? Are we going tohave another “Emeli Sande” from Glasgow?​

Hey, you never know! Emeli took on music full time before she had graduated, which is something I’d feel more reluctant to do myself. My plan is to split the eggsup, balance the books, however you like, and see where it goes. Making sure that I devote the right amount of time to each is essential,and I feel like it’s going well so far! Who knows – maybe I'll find myself gigging around the world and acting as tour doctor part time!​

Thank you Reuben for sharing your story with Surgo! We wish you all the best with your music and also your studies! You can find :Panic :Over’s music on Spotify (other streaming platforms are available) and their website : panic-over.com. You can also read a recent press piece on their Japan trip here: ​

https://www.chordblossom.com/features/tour-diary-panic-over-japanic-over