Lewis Capaldi releases 'Tough' - read a Q&A with the Scottish singer-songwriter

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Lewis Capaldi

Scottish singer-songwriter Lewis Capaldi has released his new song "Tough", following a successful run of support shows with Sam Smith.

The track is a typically rousing offering from the 21-year-old, making the most of his powerful voice.

Check out the song below and read our Q&A with Lewis to find out what he's been up to:

Q&A with Lewis Capaldi

Hey Lewis, what are you listening to at the moment?

Recently I've been obsessed with SZA, for the last few months I've had her album on repeat and I think she's amazing!

I've also been listening to Maggie Rogers new tune "Falling Water", the way it opens with her vocal and keys with this basic drum loop just grabs you instantly, it's incredible.

As well as that there's a girl called Chelsea Cutler who's music has had me hooked for the last few months, I think we're actually going to do some work together soon, she's just absolutely unreal - produces her music herself and frequently puts out amazing tunes, the real deal!

What was it like opening for Sam Smith’s tour?

It was unbelievable, but I always says I'm more used to being the opening act: coming up in Glasgow and playing shows where people didn't really care who I was prepared me for it. I feel more comfortable having to win people over.

It's when I'm playing a headline show I feel weird, 'cause I don't know how to react to people coming out to see me. But the Sam shows were an experience I'll never forget, seeing someone like him smash it every night, especially with how hard his songs are to sing really inspires you to crack on and get writing. He's one of the nicest guys as well!

Can you tell us a bit about this new track?

This tune is about finding your feet after a hard break up. That last few weeks after a really hard few months when you get back to normality after losing someone in your life you've had around for a year or so.

Production wise it took us a year to get tough right so I'm so glad it's finally out and glad we managed to get it to where it needed to be to do so.

What are you looking forward to this summer?

I'm playing a set on the main stage at TRNSMT festival in Scotland which will be the first main stage slot we've done at a festival. It's just exciting being given the opportunity to play such a big stage after playing the smaller one last year and especially in my hometown.

There's a few of us bands/singers that played the smaller stage last year who are stepping up and it's amazing to see a festival giving new artists a chance to make their mark.

What was the first gig you ever played and what’s been the best so far?

First gig I ever played was when I was 12 in the mash house in Edinburgh: it was an all day festival run by a now good friend of mine named Ross Coutts, he gave me the opening slot on the acoustic stage and then stuck me on again in between the headliner and second last act on the main stage.

I actually got to go back and headline the stage eight years later so it was cool to see it come full circle. In terms of best gig I've got to say O2 ABC last year in Glasgow. A venue I've seen my favourite bands play in growing up and got to hear over 1200 people sing my tunes back to me. Was seriously humbling!