As Charlie Straw releases stunning new single ‘Light Up For Me’, CelebMix catches up with the singer/songwriter.
Being mentioned in the same breath as other breakthrough voices Tom Walker and Sam Fender, Charlie Straw’s big-hearted tracks are on the edge of a breakthrough.
Latest single ‘Light Up For Me’ is the first taste from an upcoming EP, set for release later this year, and a new upbeat guitar sound. Today, Straw releases the music video.
CelebMix caught up with Charlie Straw about the track, as well as his fete of playing 30 back-to-back shows and his hometown of Liverpool.
Q: Hey, Charlie! Thanks for taking the time to chat with CelebMix. What have you got planned for this weekend?
A: Hellooo! This weekend I’m playing an acoustic set at “Live at 67 Pall Mall” on Saturday Night for some of their members and then I’m off to Amsterdam with my girlfriend for a couple of days on Sunday – really looking forward to it!
Q: We’re loving ‘Light Up For Me’, it’s a really uplifting track. What does it mean to you?
A: I’m really happy you like it. For me, it’s a song of celebration, about letting yourself fall for someone and the thrill being out of control. From a songwriting/production point of you its the first song where I’ve allowed my music to be this bold.
Q: It comes with quite a scenic music video too! Where did you shoot that?
A: Yes we had an amazing couple of days shooting it on Anglesey, North Wales. It one of my favourite places in the world so I use any excuse to go there.
Q: You’re from The Wirral, are you a proud Merseyside boy?
A: Of course! Musically, its got an amazing heritage with The Coral and Miles Kane etc. I had a great childhood there, being so close to the beach and an amazing city like Liverpool is a real privilege.
Q: We’ve got to ask… are you a red or a blue?
A: Nil Satis Nisi Optimum. (blue, obviously).
Q: You recently spent 30 days touring the UK, playing a show every night and sofa surfing. WOW. That must have been pretty tiring?
A: It was actually! I didn’t really realise it at first, but it started to catch up with me on the last week. I quickly had to learn a lot about eating properly and generally looking after yourself if you want to endure something like that.
Q: Sofa surfing takes quite some skill to get a good night’s sleep. Any tips for other sofa surfers out there?
A: Don’t sleep on students’ sofas. Their lounge is a place for empty beer cans and smoking, not sleeping.
Q: You’ve also had some big support slots recently with the likes of James Bay and James Morrison. Did you learn a lot from those guys?
A: I think I learned how important is to be a nice person. Both of those guys took the time to speak to me, thank me for supporting etc. I’m a big believer in getting back what you put in.
Q: That’s pretty much all from us, thanks again! One final question, what’s next for Charlie Straw?
A: More new music in Spring, more shows and hopefully some festivals will fall into place – onwards and upwards!
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