Notts music's week in the spotlight

May 14 2014

NOTTINGHAM musicians have been experiencing national attention again this week, with the likes of Saint Raymond, Indiana and Jake Bugg entering the charts and being played on Radio 1.

Saint Raymond’s latest EP, Ghosts, was at No. 4 on the iTunes chart yesterday.

The 19-year-old from Bramcote, real name Callum Burrows, said: “Getting in to the Top 5 is a real honour. I had no expectations for the EP so it’s great!”

His last EP, Young Blood, peaked at No. 3, while his debut Escapade, reached No. 24. Unfortunately, EPs aren’t eligible for the Official UK Singles Chart due to the extra tracks that are included.

The musician, who played the Great Escape Festival in Brighton at the weekend, recently returned from Los Angeles, his second trip there.

“I’ve been working on my debut album out there. I’m heading back on Thursday.”

As well as playing Nottingham’s Dot To Dot Festival at the end of May, which takes place across city venues, including Rock City and the Rescue Rooms, in October he’ll be opening for Ed Sheeran’s two shows at the Capital FM Arena.

“I can’t wait,” he said. “Two shows with him in my home city is going to be a bit surreal but that’s so exciting.”

This week Callum has been in session on Radio 1 with Huw Stephens. Last night he played his biggest headline show to date at the Scala in London.

On the current iTunes chart is Jake Bugg’s latest EP, Messed Up Kids, at No. 18.

The 20-year-old has just announced his most high profile tour to date, playing the likes of Cardiff Arena, Liverpool Echo 2 and Alexandra Palace in London throughout October, before heading off to the US on a tour supporting blue rock duo the Black Keys.

The Clifton chart-topper, who has been all over the world touring in support of his second album, Shangri La, told his 400,000 Twitter followers: “What a long tour that was, went to some great places though, thank you all very much, look forward to seeing you all soon!”

In the past two weeks alone he’s played Australia, South America and Japan.

Jake is also lined up for some major summer festival appearances including Glastonbury and Reading/Leeds Festivals.

There are no new dates for his home city yet, to follow his sell-out at the Capital FM Arena in February.

Messed Up Kids is taken from Shangri La, the follow-up to his self-titled No. 1 debut, which has sold over a million copies.

Indiana, who is currently in the studio working on her debut album, recently enjoyed a Top 20 single with Solo Dancing, which is still in the Top 100 and continues to be played on Radio 1.

The 26-year-old Long Eaton mum-of-two has been confirmed for a string of summer festivals including Radio 1’s Big Weekend in Glasgow (where Saint Raymond is also to appear), Bestival and Nottingham’s newest festival, No Tomorrow, at Wollaton Park in June.

George Akins, boss of DHP Family, which organises the festival, plus Splendour and Dot To Dot and is also Indiana’s management company, said: “Both Indiana and Saint Raymond are enjoying success now which is really exciting. You’ve also got Amber Run coming through, Kagoule, Georgie Rose, Ady Suleiman... there’s more to come.

“It’s the beginning of something much bigger. The Nottingham scene will just grow and grow.”

Other recent successes include Joel Baker’s Every Vessel EP reaching No. 6 in the iTunes Singer Songwriter chart, 80s dance pop revivalist Ronika being played on Made In Chelsea and Kagoule being playlisted on Radio 1.