LAST WEEK, Calum Bowie shared his debut EP ‘Through The Window’ – a five-track record that’s brimming with rousing melodies and heartfelt anthems.
It marked another milestone in the Aberdeenshire-born singer-songwriter’s burgeoning career – one that has seen him transfer TikTok fame for playing to massive crowds up and down the country. In the last couple of years, the Banchory native has racked up performances at TRNSMT, Glastonbury, The Great Escape and venues across Europe, signed with EMI, gained recognition from Radio 1 and even won Scottish Breakthrough Act of the Year at the Scottish Music Awards – previously won by the likes of Paolo Nutini, Lewis Capaldi and Emeli Sande.
Bowie could even follow in the footsteps of those Scottish heroes – he’s just culminated his biggest UK tour to date with a huge show at SWG3, and has a massive summer lined up, including an appearance at TRNSMT on the Main Stage.
The songs from his new EP ‘Through The Window’ will undoubtedly shine bright. It features some of his most personal writing to date, but also the kind of rousing choruses that are sure to spark big singalongs – blending storytelling flair with folk-pop influences and honeyed vocals. Triumphant as it is vulnerable, it’s his most accomplished release yet – from the uplifting and infectious ‘Wherever She Goes’ to the stirring balladry of ‘Dream of My Own.
Following the release of the EP and his huge show at SWG3 in Glasgow, we caught up with the singer-songwriter about his inspirations, ambitions and the year ahead
Can you tell us about the new EP – when did it start to come together?
So my EP ‘Through The Window’ is my first real body of work that’s coming out, and it’s nice. It’s a very autobiographical EP. All the songs are from points in my life and how I’ve felt at certain times, inspirations that I’ve had musically which have all kind of formed at different points and come together at different times. And it’s nice, I feel like this is the right time for these songs. I’ve been writing them for the last 18 months, and, you know, I’ve written loads of songs, but these ones kind of feel best to represent where I am and who I am now, and the journey that I’ve been on. It’s been nice to kind of understand myself a bit better while writing and recording all these songs.
Who was inspiring you at the time of writing? Sonically/lyrically
I remember listening to the latest 1975 album a lot when writing this EP. I find storytelling is such a huge part of my music. For me I struggle to get into an artists world if they’re not opening up lyrically. Obviously melody is also super important, and I feel like ‘Being Funny In A Foreign Language’ combines the two so well. Sonically I wanted the singer-songwriter feel, mixed in with some poppier sounds. Artists like Lewis Capaldi and Dean Lewis were big inspirations.
Who did you record with and how was that process?
So I recorded this EP with a few different producers. Each of the songs are pretty much ‘on the day’ demos from when we wrote them together. That tends to happen with most of my releases, there must be something you capture on the day, while figuring it all out. The first single ‘Dream Of My Own’ was written with and produced by Matt Rad while I was over in LA for the first time. It’s probably the most stripped song on the EP and was actually recorded without a click track. I remember we did a few versions with a click but it just felt too rigid, so we did it old school. That was super fun. My second single ‘Wherever She Goes’ was produced by and written with Edd Holloway and Nick Atkinson. We recorded it at an air BnB in the Lake District, in the middle of nowhere. I loved being able to get out (despite it raining all week) and write and record some tunes away from my bedroom for a change. They recorded the rest of the EP, apart from 1 song, with me. I also finished and recorded a song with Joel Pott on a writing trip in London, who is a super talented and lovely guy so that was a real highlight.
How do you think your sound has evolved since first starting out?
It’s funny listening back to old demos and releases and hearing, not only the differences, but the similarities between them. I’d say my sound has grown with me but a lot of the foundations are the same, even from when I was first recording at 14. I feel like I’m now sharing a lot more than I used to as well as pushing myself in areas that I wouldn’t have before. This EP is definitely the most me, both lyrically and sonically. I’m really proud of it.
You won Breakthrough Artist at last year’s Scottish Music Awards. How did that feel? Does that add any pressure?
That was such a crazy experience. I remember being ecstatic when I was told I’d been nominated, but in disbelief when I was told I’d won. It’s a real honour to follow in the footsteps of so many people that I look up to. I wouldn’t say it adds any pressure, I plan on still doing what I’d be doing either way, but it’s definitely nice to know people believe in me!
What’s been your biggest achievement so far?
There’s been quite a few pinch me moments for me. I remember selling out my first show (150 people), years ago, and feeling like that could never been topped. I’d say now the likes of playing my first ever Glastonbury, my first European tour (and people actually showing up) and receiving a Scottish Music Award are some moments that really stand out for me!
What are you looking forward to most in 2025?
2025 is a big year for me. I’ve got my debut EP coming out, which is obviously super exciting. And I’ve just started my biggest ever headline tour the UK and Ireland. I mean, playing live for me is such a huge reason as to why I do music. I just absolutely love it. And being in a room full of people singing words that you’ve kind of questioned in your bedroom a million times back, and getting to connect in so many different ways is the biggest buzz of them all. And then after that, hopefully some more music. And then straight into festival season, I’ve got some super cool festivals lined up. I’ve got main stage TRNSMT, which is super cool. I got to play there a couple years ago, but it’s nice to be back on the main stage. And then hopefully some more music and some bigger shows at the end of this year. But yeah, it should be a pretty busy one.
