The Skinny On... Callum Easter
As a long-time friend and collaborator of Young Fathers, not to mention an incredible talent in his own right, Callum Easter takes on this month's Q&A
Callum Easter is a true wonder of the Scottish music scene, with releases on Lost Map Records and Moshi Moshi. Last month he helped open the new live space at Edinburgh's small but perfectly formed Leith Depot. Maybe you were there? Or maybe you've seen him perform in the past with little more than an accordion and a microphone? Maybe you were at his guerilla gig under a bridge in Leith during the 2020 lockdown? Or, you might have caught him playing a full-band headline show at The Queen's Hall last year?
If you were at The Skinny's 200th issue party at Summerhall in December, we guarantee it will be a long time before you forget his performance in the round, amps strapped to a trolley, Easter in a reflective trenchcoat, intermittently illuminated by strobe lighting. Needless to say, but no two performances from Callum Easter are ever the same, his unpredictability making him a wholly unique and endlessly exciting artist.
While Easter is certainly no stranger to these pages, as a long-time collaborator and friend of Young Fathers, the trio wanted to shout about him, which is understandable. Thinking it would be nice to get to know him on a more personal level, we thought, what better way to do that than through our monthly Q&A? So here it is!
What’s your favourite food?
I’m not very good at cooking. It’s that or I don’t put the time in. I’ll make a good omelette and put some greens in there.
What’s your favourite colour?
Oh, I’m not picky.
Who was your hero growing up?
My wee sister. She’d put on shows in the house and I’d hand her props. She had this one with a guitar and a shaggy dog puppet on her foot bouncing along. Very entertaining.
Whose work inspires you now?
Jessie Mae Hemphill. Found her recently. I just like her style. She’s got me into the whistle and drum.
What three people would you invite to your dinner party and what are you cooking?
I’d have my mum and my sister over as we’ve not done that in a while. Maybe do breakfast though, less messing about. They can bring someone with them. Tea and coffee, omelettes, jam on toast for dessert; marmalade for my mother, lots of laughs.
What’s your all-time favourite album?
Clint Eastwood by The Upsetters. I used to go through my mate's records in his kitchen at parties and I’d always come back to that one. Sounds mad, love the organ sound, love the cover, love the rhythms.
What's your favourite Young Fathers song?
Depends. Am I Not Your Boy is the one if I’m feeling sentimental.
What book would you take to a desert island?
The Rime of the Ancient Mariner by Samuel Taylor Coleridge. Not read it in a while. I wanted to learn it off by heart and pretend to be the ancient mariner. No time for that really.
Who’s the worst?
Johnny Lynch? In a “he’ll steal your socks” ironic kind of way.
When did you last cry?
Terribly lost and terribly hungover, trying to drive back from Knockengorroch Festival. It’s happened a few times now, I get so confused and I’ve usually no charge in my phone.
What are you most scared of?
Mediocrity. There’s too much of it.
When did you last vomit?
Can’t remember. It’s been a while.
Which celebrity could you take in a fight?
Mmmm…
If you could be reincarnated as an animal, which animal would it be and why?
Maybe something that flies. A wee sparrow or something. Or a cat. Eat myself.
You're heading out on the road soon with Young Fathers; what can people expect?
I’m playing electric organ mainly and some glockenspiel and guitar and whatever the tunes need. Maybe a bit of singing.
Callum Easter plays with Young Fathers on their forthcoming tour; catch him at O2 Academy, Glasgow, 3 & 4 Mar
Our February issue is a Young Fathers takeover – we have an extended interview with the band; Alloysious, Kayus and G share some of their inspirations; the band’s former manager Tim London reflects on their career so far; plus YF-approved features on theatre maker and director Adura Onashile and the Tanzanian underground sound of Singeli.
Scroll on for more from the Young Fathers takeover, or pick up a print copy from locations across Scotland