Calum Ingram and 10 Questions with TotalNtertainment. As Calum Ingram launches his long-awaited double A side 7” inch vinyl single “Dancing in The Moonlight” and “Demon Eyes” on Friday 31st July 2020. We got some time to chat to him about the Cello and people who he is inspired by.
1. Thanks for your time Calum, for those of our readers who aren’t aware of you, can you tell us a bit about yourself?
Well, I’m someone who loves to put convention right on its head, and do things differently, while still having some sense of familiarity and nostalgia. I really love touring, rocking out and helping people through the power of music. I grew up living and traveling between the US and the UK. I always felt like I soaked up culture from both places and feel that really comes out in my music.
2. You started playing cello at nine, what drew you to the instrument and what were those early months like?
I think the first time I saw a cello I was really just blown away by the way it looked. It was almost like I already knew what could be done with it – and then when I heard it – I was sold! I remember going to the store with my family too check it out and pushing the bow across the strings and thinking this too damn cool!! I could feel the deepness down to my core. I was like, I’m in -This what I wanna do! The early months were definitely tough to say the least. I feel this instrument really tests you. The beginning is difficult, but when you work hard it really does bring you joy and good things!
3. What advice would you give someone starting out playing a new instrument and what was the most important lesson you learned in those early days?
I would say the most important thing is to never ever give up, no matter how hard it gets. As the more work and put into it at the beginning, the more you will get out of it for yourself and the instrument. You will eventually be freer to explore and define your sound. I find it teaches a certain discipline in a real organic beautiful way.
4. You’re inspired by people like Jimi Hendrix and John Mayer, who was the first musician that made an impact on you and what was it about them?
I think it was Jimi Hendrix that made the first impression on me. He was so wild and free. It was honestly their drive for creating what they wanted to create that influenced me. I always got inspiration from these artists you mentioned, especially how John Mayer managed to fuse Blues and Pop together. I feel he did this in such a cool way.
5. And you have your new single coming out in a few weeks, what can we expect from it?
A real fun filled Rock journey with uplifting cello riffs blended together with guitar riffs and swells, punchy vocals and fun chorus. I wanted to put something out that would lift everybody’s spirits in this very strange time.
6. Is there any more new music in the pipeline?
Hell yeah a lot more – keep your eyes peeled and your ear to the ground.
7. The single is coming out on vinyl. Are you a big vinyl fan?
Yes, I really am! I always remember when I was younger thinking how cool they looked! But yeah, they sound incredible and I have always loved reading about the bands, their stories and looking at the artwork and photos as they are really bright and clear! I decided to put out my new vinyl on an ECO run which makes every vinyl a different texture so you don’t know what you are going to get as they are all 100 percent unique from one another!
8. You picked a Thin Lizzy song for the single, why that song and are there any other songs you fancy reworking?
I have always been such a big Lizzy fan and ‘Dancing in the Moonlight’ was a favourite. My Dad used to play it all the time for long car trips. I decided to release this song as I was asked by the incredible Tony Visconti to prepare a cover of it for his 50 year celebration of music concert in London were he ended up asking me if I would be up for doing it as a duet with Stewart Copeland from The Police!! When he emailed that to me and I was beyond ecstatic I FELL OUT MY CHAIR!
In terms of other songs I’d like to re -work- hmm maybe potentially ‘Hip to be Square’ by Huey Lewis And The News, or perhaps ‘Big Time’ by Peter Gabriel, or maybe even a Grace Jones tune who knows!!
9. Just for fun: If you could be a fly on the wall in anyone’s house during lockdown who would it be and why?
There are a few people, I think. However, not all of them would be musicians. Definitely the first two that pop in my head would be Lenny Kravitz and Jack White as they are big influences on me and I would love to see what they are conjuring up in their homes. Peter Gabriel and Jack Nicholson are two others that are no doubt killing it with incredible masterpieces. Speaking of master pieces – I am a huge fan of Jim Carey’s visual art/painting etc he would definitely be another one!
10. Thanks for your time, just to finish what can we expect from you for the rest of 2020 and into 2021
I am really looking forward to the future with my new music! I think the rest of 2020 will be an awesome time for getting everything together for new shows and new music in 2021… I am currently working on a full album which I just cannot wait for people to hear when it drops… but, you will just have to wait for that hehe…
Calum Ingram’s double A side 7” inch vinyl single “Dancing in The Moonlight” and “Demon Eyes” on Friday 31st July 2020. Pre-order from https://calum-ingram-music.
You can find out more details here https://www.totalntertainment.com/music/calum-ingram-announces-double-a-side-single/
