Saint Raymond interview: 'I want to have some fun'

The 20-year-old musician who has been compared to Jake Bugg speaks to Roisin O'Connor about politics, festivals and his carefree attitude

Callum Burrows aka Saint Raymond

Callum Burrows, aka singer-songwriter Saint Raymond, is "in a good place". That’s something of an understatement, seeing as he’s about to launch his debut album after opening for Haim and Ed Sheeran last year, tour some of the best summer music festivals, and perform at his first headline show at Shepherd's Bush Empire.

“It’s nice to see songs that I wrote when I was 15 or 16 still sticking around,” he says of his debut LP, Young Blood. “To get to work in LA last year with [producer] Jack Murphy, especially with all the artists he’s collaborated with, that was incredible as well."

Still "living the dream" in Nottingham, the 20-year-old is well-connected with other artists in his hometown, and does't seem too fussed about the various comparisons he has drawn to contemporaries like Bastille and Jake Bugg.

"Whenever you come out with something you’re always going to get compared to someone else, and I don’t think that’s necessarily a bad thing. Everything originates from somewhere, that’s how music is.

"Lots of people see it as negative, but I think it’s natural. And the thing about the music scene at the minute is that there’s a lot of good stuff out there."

Burrows is spending his summer hopping around various music festivals, including Dot to Dot, Live at Leeds, Truck, Y Not, and Reading and Leeds. A mention of Coachella prompts slightly less enthusiasm.

“It’s a weird one,” he says. “I don’t want to dismiss it because I’d love to play there but it’s not so much of a love-in for the UK music scene… unfortunately who’s there celebrity-wise seems to be just as important as the music.

"A festival isn't supposed to be a catwalk. It’s not about who’s got the best Instagram photo… You get trashed in mud and listen to good music, that’s how it should be. Take away that social media element and I imagine it’s an incredible festival."

“University summer balls are always fun though. Drunk students living the dream! I went to college for all of an hour then left. When some of my friends went to uni I thought 'oh no', but doing music you end up going to where they are anyway."

A quick glance at Burrow's Twitter timeline shows how well he manages to engage his fans, but various memes and viral videos of political leaders Clegg, Cameron and Miliband suggests he has at least something – although he admits he "tries to stay clear" – of an interest in politics.

"Politics is a weird one. I’m not into it that much…. A lot of people talk about it and don’t seem to know a lot about it. I’m quite carefree about stuff like that, the world goes on and I got with it.

"It is important for young people [to vote in the general election]. Going forwards you’ve got to think in 20 years’ time when the older generation isn't around… we’re the key people, so everyone should have a look at their best options, do quizzes that tell you what party suits you best, that kind of thing."

On influences he is far more assertive. Asked about an ideal collaboration "Justin Vernon" is on the tip of his tongue immediately.

"The whole thing that surrounds Bon Iver is something I aspire to do, and I love the fact he [Vernon] makes his music in the middle of nowhere. I was reading this interview where it gets to the point that everyone wants to go to the shop because they've all got cabin fever, it’s brilliant."

But aside from the aspiration to collaborate with his idols, Burrows is clear that he is keen to focus on the present.

“For me… I just want to get the record, have some fun. I’m always actively writing. Putting the record together has been a real waiting game for the right reasons, getting it right. It’s all shaping up nicely.”

Saint Raymond’s debut Young Blood, out 29 June, is available for pre-order on iTunes. He plays Truck Festival 17-18 July and Y Not festival 31 Jul-2nd Aug: click here for tickets