Interview with Saint Raymond


I first discovered Saint Raymond, AKA Callum Burrows, in March last year, where he was playing the support slot for singer-songwriter Lewis Watson's headline UK tour.  Since then he's independently released his debut EP 'Escapade', signed with a major label and been on the line-up for huge festivals such as Reading and Leeds.  I mentioned Callum in my post, '2014 - Ones to Watch', so I was very excited to be given the opportunity to ask him some questions...

What made you decide to use a stage name and what is the meaning behind the name ‘Saint Raymond’?
For me, I always wanted to veer away from the obvious singer/songwriter route and the sound I wanted to create always felt more than just me and an acoustic… so I stuck with the name Saint Raymond which has personal meaning.

How was it playing the support slot for a band as popular as Haim?  What was your favourite gig on the tour with them?
That tour was so good. They're such nice girls and the tour was amazing, Paris stands out as a favourite for me, the two nights in London were also amazing and probably would be the favourite although I was super ill at the time. 

You are often labelled as being the next Jake Bugg, but who would you personally compare your musical sound to?
There isn't anyone in particular I'd compare it to… I always just wanted to make festival upbeat kinda music really.

Your music has been featured on television shows such as Made in Chelsea and Peter Andre.  What‘s your opinion on your songs being associated with reality television programmes such as those?
Those shows are great for people discovering music such as mine, and to be honest I have a bit of a guilty pleasure for those kind of shows too. 

If you were able to collaborate with any artist, dead or alive, who would you choose?
Probably Justin Vernon, he’s a musical hero of mine, and currently I’d love to do something with Lorde.

Do you prefer to play smaller and more intimate gigs or bigger shows such as festival slots?
Both are amazing for different reasons, the bigger shows are like real ‘wow moments’ but there’s nothing better than a small room rammed full of people.  Both give such a buzz.

Do you have any pre-show rituals?
Nothing yet, I aim to be super chilled out before heading on stage.

How does the ‘Young Blood’ EP compare with your debut EP, ‘Escapade’?
For me it just feels like the next step on from Escapade, I think that I've been working on my sound a bit more this year and the new EP shows this. 

Have you been booked for any summer festivals that you’re able to announce yet?
Nothing that I know of yet!  But looking forward to festival season for sure…

What are your plans for the rest of 2014?  Can we expect an album to be released this year?
I aim to finish up my debut album, then go on my headline tour in March then hopefully release the album at the end of the summer. 

Thank you so much to Callum for taking the time to answer my questions and I wish him the best of luck for the March tour and the rest of the year.  Saint Raymond's new EP 'Young Blood' is available to download on iTunes here

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