This is an extract from an interview published originally in our December 2016 Issue.
Twenty-eight year old Calum Scott is suddenly taking the world by storm. Within the last year, he’s performed and competed on an international television show, toured internationally, and signed a record deal with one of the biggest labels in the world. Signing with Capitol Records earlier this year, Scott’s following has already escalated internationally, selling out iconic venues like The Troubadour in Los Angeles and The Gramercy Theater in New York City.
Hailing from a small town in Northern England, Scott’s voice has already started to get international attention. That international attention has built his presence into a unique personality and even more important, a unique sound. Full of passion and dedication, Scott prides himself in his humility, his pride and most importantly, his connection to family and friends. Between the international attention and the public spotlight from his rise to stardom, Scott believes it’s his family and friends that keep him grounded.
“[When I’m on tour] I have to have communication with my mom, I’ve got to at least get in touch once so that I stay grounded. Also, [I like to have] just a few things that remind myself of home. I like things that remind me of my friends and family,” Scott explained. “I’m lucky that my band are basically like my friends anyways so I have a great time. I haven’t got like a ridiculous rider or anything, I just want to stay grounded.”
From on tour to promoting his album, Scott’s family has been one of the biggest reasons that he has stayed true to who he is, which he also believes is a huge influence on his sound.
“My sister [is my biggest inspiration], she’s put up with hell. My sister is easily my biggest inspiration. In terms of my general inspiration, my mom and my friends are an incredible inspiration to me. Obviously [my career in music] is happening in the space of a year, so we’re all still trying to get used to the fact. I’ll be on the road, in Mexico, going to Brazil or meeting with my label in LA, and even [interviews]. My family and my friends can’t even believe that this stuff is happening. They never treat me any differently and they keep me grounded and [another inspiration is] my fan base. Without them, I wouldn’t be doing what I’m doing and they’re a constant inspiration to me and a constant support for me. I love each one of my fans with all of my heart” Scott said enthusiastically.
But for Scott, there’s more to his fans than just people who know his music worldwide, it’s always back to his family. Most importantly, his sister, who was the first one to really be a “fan” of Scott’s work and pushed him to perform live. Combined with the influences of his mom, Scott’s career started and developed with the help of those first “fans,” his mom and sister.
“My sister has always been the performer in our family, she’s done it forever. I’ve always been in it too, but I feel like the start of my singing was probably due to my mum. Everywhere we went in the car, she always played ballads. So it would be Elton John, Whitney Houston and Celine Dion, Meat Loaf. She would always play those in the car and I think that’s why my sound developed.Just taking it back, I was always interested in music, I went to music school as a drummer. I’ve got a natural sense of rhythm as a drummer and it was great for me because I was never anywhere near the front of the stage, I never wanted to be the center of attention.”
Read the rest of our feature with Calum Scott here.
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