FAULT 29: Calum Scott bares all
Calum Scott X FAULT Magazine
PHOTOGRAPHY William Baker
STYLIST Ozzy Shah
WORDS Amie Phillips
Yorkshire lad Calum Scott shot to fame in 2016 after his goosebump-inducing cover of Robyn’s “Dancing On My Own” on Britain’s Got Talent. As well as breathing new life into the record, the rendition propelled Scott into the spotlight, landing him a record deal and changing his life in more ways than he could ever have known.
Your cover of Robyn’s ‘Dancing on my own’ was the most downloaded song of the summer in 2016 after BGT and you became a household name pretty quickly. How did it feel to lose your anonymity so suddenly?
It felt incredibly surreal. I went from having a very normal life with a very normal day job and in one moment, the whole trajectory of my life completely changed. Britain’s Got Talent gave me a springboard and a platform where the audition and ultimately my single would be seen and discovered by people all over the world – had I known that going in it would have completely freaked me out. I am lucky in that I still have some anonymity, I still remain a very normal person and do what everyone else does, go to the same places.. staying grounded is very important to me.
Although it’s a cover, you sing it with such piercing emotion that you must have related to it quite strongly. Tell me what the song meant to you then and what it means to you now?
I remember hearing the original back in 2010 and was a huge fan because there is no denying, it is a smash! At that time, because of the cool pop production on it, I didn’t hear the lyrics as heartbreaking as they actually are. When I covered the song it was just me and piano.. the words literally leapt out and hit me straight in the chest. I completely relate to them as a guy who is a sucker for falling in love with the straight guys so in my cover I purposefully didn’t change the pronouns – I wanted it to be from my own perspective because I related so much. Now, the song still means the same to me but has complete new purpose. This song undoubtedly changed my life and I feel whether its Robyn’s original or my interpretation of her song, it is changing other people’s lives which is the most humbling feeling ever.
You’ve said that ‘If Our Love Is Wrong’ is effectively your coming out song. What led you to open up about your sexuality on this track?
Growing up I found it really difficult to identify who I was… I struggled when I was younger working out if I was gay or if I was just going through a phase and after putting trust in my friends at the time and talking to them about it, I was completely abandoned. That made me suppress my sexuality for the best part of my life. I came out to those closest to me but after my career took off, I had to open my private life to the world and that’s where I had to make a decision on how I was going to handle it especially because, at this point, I still hadn’t told my Dad. I literally went into a songwriting session, told them the situation, cried my eyes out and ‘If Our Love Is Wrong’ was born. After we had written that song, it opened the path to my most honest songwriting and made me feel the most empowered I’ve ever felt.
You signed with Capitol records back in 2016 but released your debut album ‘Only Human’ this spring. What happened during that time?
The biggest adventures of my life! I had such unprecedented success with ‘Dancing On My Own’ that it completely changed my world! When Capitol brought me to LA to discuss signing with them, that visit was the first time I had been to the states! Since then I began writing my own songs, travelling all over the world to perform at shows, on TV and radio, supporting incredible artists in the UK such as Jamie Lawson and Emeli Sandé, and all the while trying to record my debut album! It’s been a whirlwind adventure but I have loved every moment of it.
You’ve said that, after hearing your music, people have told you it’s given them the courage to come out themselves or helped them face difficult times. How are you finding the reception of the record so far?
The record is becoming exactly what I hoped for – it is becoming a ‘medicine’ for people. I am always incredibly touched when people get in touch to tell me their stories that are/were influenced by the music on my album. To write honest music and remain relatable and approachable was always my goal but releasing this record was more about helping others through my own personal stories and struggles. My fans have been very patient waiting for this album to be released and the reaction has been unreal, it continues to be discovered beyond my fan base in all corners of the world, I couldn’t have asked for a better reception of a debut album.
Tell me about the role your family – especially your sister – has played in supporting your musical career?
Without my sister, I don’t think I would be sat here answering these questions! I only actually discovered my voice because of her. One day she overheard me singing in my room and took it upon herself to put me into a competition and not tell me… NOT impressed initially but with the belief from my friends and family, I took to the stage for the very first time and a passion ignited in me that I had never felt before. Ever since then I have dreamt of what I do now and it is 100% down to them that I believed in myself enough to chase it.
Who would you say your musical idols are?
When my sister and I were younger, my Mum would always play her favourite artists; Whitney Houston, Diana Ross, Michael Jackson, Queen, Celine Dion.. all these powerful and emotional performers and they just resonated with me! I knew even before I started singing that if I was to open my mouth and perform, it would be that style that came out. I personally still love those artists but my more current influences are artists like Adele, Ed Sheeran, Sam Smith, artists who for me, write and sing real music. Adele is my number one though. I admire her songwriting, her voice is unreal and she has remained the same down-to-earth girl that started out which is 100% the same footsteps I wish to follow in.
What is your FAULT?
Making a lot of people cry probably! I don’t mean to but with my music, it just happens! I guess, because I write from very real, sometimes painful places, people can see I am being genuine and I think that goes a long way. That’s something I will continue to be over the course of my career. That might mean more tears though… sorry in advance!
