One to watch
Twenty-year-old former chippie Paolo Nutini on how his life’s changed since winning acclaim as a singer/songwriter
THE SCOTTISH POP SENSATION PAOLO NUTINI DESCRIBES HOW HE WENT FROM MANNING THE DEEP-FAT FRYER IN HIS DAD’S CHIP SHOP TO SIGNING A MILLION-POUND RECORD DEAL
When did you start strumming?
I didn’t pick up a guitar until two and a half years ago, but I’ve been singing since I was a kid.
Do musical genes run in the family?
My father runs a chip shop, but my grandfather was really musical. I loved going to see him – he’d sit at his piano and play old Italian songs. He was the one who got me away from the deep-fat fryer and encouraged me to pursue a musical career.
How did you break into the music industry?
I was asked to perform before David Sneddon came on at a gig in my hometown, as he was late. Luckily for me, my (now) manager was in the audience at the time, and he really liked my performance. I moved to London in 2004 and supported artists such as Amy Winehouse and KT Tunstall, but nothing really got going properly until my album came out last year.
Who are your biggest influences?
I used to raid my Mum and Dad’s record collection, so I grew up listening to artists such as The Drifters, Otis Redding and The Kinks. I couldn’t believe my luck recently, as I got to play with Ben E King at the Montreux Jazz Festival – that was a dream come true.
What’s the most embarrassing thing you’ve done on stage?
I forgot the words to a song when I played at 2006 Hogmanay in Edinburgh. I also have a bad habit of drinking too much beer in one gulp just before I go on stage, and then the bubbles catch up with me just as I start singing.
What does the future hold for you?
I’m on tour until the end of May, and then I hope I’ll do a few summer festivals as I really love the atmosphere.
On the road…
CATCH PAOLO NUTINI in action on his tour, or at various summer festivals around the UK. Future concerts include Glasgow Academy on 1-3 May, T in the Park in Scotland on 8 July, and the V Festival in Chelmsford on 18-19 August. Visit www.paolonutini.com for further information or to book tickets.
TUNE IN: PAOLO’S CV
PAOLO NUTINI, 20, was born in Paisley, Scotland. His father is of Italian descent and his mother is Glaswegian. He had no formal music training, but knew he wanted to work in the music industry, so he left school aged 13 to work as a roadie. He spent the next three years performing live and working as a studio hand at Glasgow’s Park Lane Studios. He was just 18 when he signed a five-album deal with Atlantic Records in May 2005. His first album, These Streets, was produced by Ken Nelson – who had previously worked with Coldplay and Gomez. His debut single, Last Request, went straight in at number five on the UK charts, and his album went in at number three when it was released in July 2006.
