CALLUM BEATTIE; FROM SCOTLAND WITH LOVE

WORDS HUGO FERNANDES - INTERVIEW AND PHOTOGRAPHY FILIPE MACEDO - FASHION SOPHIE EMMETT

Edinburgh-born, London-based Callum Beattie is the singer-songwriter whose music can be described as anthemic dreaminess as each song he creates carries romanticism and truth wherever they go. From his humble beginnings back in Edinburgh, Scotland through discovering his passion for music and the pub karaoke nights with his dad all the way to the Glasto main stage - a dream still to be lived but not far off from possible; Callum dreams while working hard to see his dreams becoming a reality. His unique personality and authenticity are captivating to a whole new level as the young musician manages to hook us not only with his music but his beautiful accent and charisma.

Beattie is the epitome of artistry and talent, combining sound and lyric in a humble, powerful and truthful way. He writes and sings about the things we all feel and experience while being unafraid to look vulnerable before his audience. Callum's 'Some Heroes Don't Wear Capes' and 'We Are Stars' are just two perfect examples and representations of who he is both as a person and artist. With his latest single, 'Without You' fresh off the studio, we catch up with Callum to find out more about his upbringing, his childhood inspirations, his relationship with his dad, and what moves him as an artist.

Listen to 'Without You' by Callum Beattie

Hugo Fernandes: Hi Callum; thanks so much for taking the time to speak to us. Let's start from the beginning. Way back to the young Callum. How was is growing up for you? Callum Beattie: Very rough to be honest. My dad brought me up as a single parent. We were poor to the point that we had to use a hairdryer to heat up our beds in winter; that sort of thing. But in all fairness growing up in that situation made me the person I am today and it’s given me an insight into a lot of things some other people haven’t experienced.

H.F: Do you have any siblings? C.B: Yeah. I have a brother and a sister.

H.F: How was the dynamics in your family? C.B: They were a bit older than me so they moved out in their teens but I have got some great memories with them.

H.F: Was music something you always wanted to do or was there any significant experience that made you go into it? C.B: Yeah. I always wanted to be in a band like Fleetwood Mac or Stereophonics but I could not find four other people with the same commitment and drive I had so had to go to do it alone- [smiles] but maybe I will be performing with a super group one day.

H.F: Growing up, what would you say were your biggest musical influences?

C.B: My dad brought me up on the likes of Springsteen and Bowie and I discovered a lot of indie bands when I was at school. But my influences come from many different sources. It’s a huge mix and I appreciate any band that has been able to write great songs.

H.F: Who would you say were the top songs or artist present in your teenage years? C.B: RHCP or The Killers that’s sort of thing.

H.F: Do you have any interesting or funny stories from your teenage years that you could share with us? C.B: Yeah. Definitely. I used to push trolleys in Tesco and I used the high-vis jacket to pretend I was working at festivals and hand out my demos. I managed to jump on stage with R.E.M. live on tv and in front of about 70 thousand fans and have beers with Kings of Leon. [Laughs] Those were wild times.

H.F: Oh wow. That's boldness for you, kids. And when did the songwriting happen to you? Was it prior to singing? C.B: My dad had a record collection and I used to look at the writing credits on each song and at some point, I became obsessed with how it worked. I begged him for a guitar and then started writing my own songs.

H.F: Can you tell us a bit about the karaoke sessions with your dad at the pub? C.B: [Smiles] Every Sunday he would take me down the pub and I’d sing Elvia on the karaoke. The punters would stick and there was always an ashtray on the floor and folk would throw money in for me.

Callum wears t-shirt ARTIST'S OWN; jacket SCOTCH & SODA' sunglasses RAY BAN

H.F: Do you think those days at the pub have influenced and shaped you as an artist today? C.B: Massively. I think that because I went through those performances at the pub where people would just be honest about you and your music- what they thought of it - I quite happen to perform anywhere without freaking out now so I imagine it helped in that way. Having to face an audience and developing my performance skills as well as learning to control my nerves.

H.F: When did you relocate to London? C.B: I tried for years playing in pubs back in Scotland waiting for the big music boss to walk in and sweep me off my feet but it never happened. So I decided I would go to them. I packed my bags and left for London where I got a job washing dishes in a kitchen while I put my demos around the place hoping someone would give a shit. [Laughs]

H.F: Your music, both songwriting, and sound is the perfect description of Anthemic pop-rock soaked in romanticism. There is something very dreamy about your vocals and the lyrics combined to it. How would you describe your own sound? C.B: 'Anthemic dreaminess' is a very good description. I’ll go with that.

Callum wears shirt SCOTCH & SODA

H.F: What is the creative process like for you? Do you have any rituals when writing? C.B: [Laughs] No rituals, sadly. I just try and dig deep and pull emotions out from places you don’t usually feel comfortable going.

H.F: Where do you find your inspiration? C.B: Literally all around me. People's stories and my own life stories. I think by doing so my music is more real and makes sense.

H.F: 'Some Heroes Don't Wear Capes' and 'We Are Stars' are just a couple of our favourite Beattie tracks. They are refreshing to listen to and yet, with a nostalgic feel to them. If you were to have them as a movie score, what kind of movie would you want them to be in? C.B: A gritty independent film. Something like Trainspotting. Real life presented in a very honest way, you know?

H.F: How do you find performing live? C.B: I tend to love it! The more people the better! Unless there are lots of industry people at the show. It kinda makes the whole thing awkward knowing your being judged by people who not only get music but get it as a business. Those shows are normally one date on every tour though, which is a blessing. [Laughs]

Callum wears t-shirt ARTIST'S OWN; jacket SCOTCH & SODA' sunglasses RAY BAN

H.F: When touring; what is the one thing you must have in your dressing room? C.B: I don’t really request more than water and a sandwich if it’s going. Maybe stretch to a beer. I don’t want to look like a dickhead requesting stupid stuff that people have to go find in shops. [Laughs]

H.F: You just dropped your new single 'Without You'. Can you tell us a bit about it? C.B: ‘Without You’ is all about my last relationship ending and how I felt like the world was finally off my shoulders and then the following day I felt like absolute toilet water.

H.F: That's profound and relatable. It's a great tune, by the way. Okay; tell us something about you people don't know yet. C.B: I had to get rescued by the coast guard once. I thought it would be a good idea to stock my neighbors dingy with a case of red wine and take it for a sail in the North Sea at three in the morning. That was a long summer and a big weekend.

H.F: Since the release of your first official single 'Wanderlust' (2017) to now; has much changed both in the way you perform and perceive the industry you are in? C.B: Not really in the way I perform but I would say my music and sound have progressed over the past two years as it would with any artist. Why paint the same picture over and over again, ya know? [Smiles]

H.F: Are there any major challenges you have faced in the industry which have influenced you as an artist? C.B: Yeah, definitely. Trying to keep everybody happy. It’s an impossible task and I learned to stop aiming for it very quickly.

H.F: Let's do a quick fire-round.