At 55, Richard Barclay balances a day managing IT systems with a surprisingly prolific side career as the solo project Rodeo Terrorists, a name that lets him shed the seriousness of his corporate life and dive into music that feels both playful and purposeful.
The 30‑Minute Spark
During a brief work break he penned "Saltire (Tartan Army)", a track that fuses Celtic melodies with electronic pop‑rock, capturing the cheeky spirit of Scotland’s football fans while pledging all proceeds to MND Scotland in memory of a close friend.
The song’s genesis was swift: he recorded and engineered the whole piece in his home studio using AI tools, embracing the raw, imperfect take that he believes adds authenticity. The chorus, he admits, was reshaped several times until it felt just right, and a line about dragons and ginger hair was dropped after a quick reality check on Scottish symbolism.
Barclay’s approach is defined by speed and a willingness to let a track finish when he can no longer improve it past 2 a.m. or when it flows from start to finish without a hitch, a method that mirrors the fast‑paced culture of modern football chants.
Choosing the title "Saltire" was deliberate; the cross‑section flag instantly evokes the visual identity of Tartan Army supporters, reinforcing the song’s blend of national pride and humor. The fictional band moniker Rodeo Terrorists further frees him from the expectations that often accompany a veteran’s return to the spotlight.
Despite the generational bias that often sidelines older creators, Barclay feels his years of industry exposure give him a reckless, unfiltered perspective that younger peers might lack, and he has not faced criticism from English friends for championing a Scottish anthem.
All proceeds are earmarked for MND Scotland, a cause he vetted carefully before release, and he hopes the track will resonate with listeners beyond the football niche, proving that a well‑crafted, self‑aware pop‑rock anthem can bridge age, genre and geography.