Callum Beattie has made quite the name from himself in his hometown.

The Edinburgh artist returned to the capital during the Festival Fringe in 2019 for a month of pop-up shows marking his homecoming after gigs across the globe.

With a recent support slot alongside The Kooks, Razorlight and Blossoms, Callum Beattie is gearing up to release his debut album, with a host of new fans in tow from his recent live shows.

Ahead of the release, we wanted to get to know local lad Callum better so caught up to have a chat about the influence behind his latest emotive single ‘Some Heroes Don’t Wear Capes’.

Alike many musicians, it was the music that Callum grew up surrounded by that inspired his career. Little did he know at this age that his father would be the one who kickstarted his career.

Callum explained his dad would crack open a bottle of red and play music in their home, discussing fondly remembered tracks from childhood: “‘Rocket Man’, ‘Life On Mars’, ‘Maggie May’ I remember from top of my head,” Callum said. “Absolute tunes!”

Growing up surrounded by music, his father not only provided the soundtrack to his youth – but was also the one who bought Callum his very first guitar to help him chase his musical dreams.

“I was singing in a band at school and he caught me trying to play my mate’s guitar,” Callum said. “I never dreamed he would have the money to buy me one that day. But after the show, he took me down to the local guitar shop and I got a second-hand vintage acoustic! It’s still hanging on my wall and has been in every festival campsite you can imagine!”

“I feel very lucky indeed. He first tried to tempt me to get a trade but soon realised I wasn’t gonna be that kinda person I need to find my own path in life and not follow his,” Callum explained.

After his father scraped enough money together to buy the guitar and copy of ‘1000 Guitar Chords‘, the first track Callum learned was R.E.M – ‘The One I Love’.

A year or so later, his dad gave him two summer holiday options – camping in Tenerife or driving from Edinburgh to London to stop at as many festivals and gigs as possible until their money ran out.

Of course, for Callum it was the festival route.

Touring the UK with his trusty guitar in tow, Callum explained his favourite spot on their summer jaunt was T in the Park as that year Red Hot Chili Peppers and The Who were playing. “Absolutely sadly TITP isn’t around anymore, but when it comes back I’ll hopefully be ready for them!”. Callum said.

Ticking off festivals as they went, little did the duo know Callum would soon be appearing on those very festival stages. Releasing self-recorded singles, busking across Edinburgh and landing support slots in the capitals prominent venues, Callum Beattie became quite the name in Scotland’s capital before jetting off across the globe on tour.

With his dad to thank for his career, Callum set out to pay homage to him in a special way that only musicians know how – by writing a track dedicated to him.

Performing the single for his father the first time, Callum explained his dad was in tears, but it’s a not a track Callum performs every set, “It’s an emotional track to perform live and I only like to play it when I’m in the mood,” Callum explained. “I don’t want to just sing words and not feel it.”

The result – ‘Some Heroes Don’t Wear Capes‘ – an emotionally charged release that takes you on a powerful journey through Callum’s life as he hails his hero.

And if it wasn’t for his father? “I’d probably still be pushing trolleys in Tesco!” Callum joked.

You can watch the video for ‘Some Heroes Don’t Wear Capes’ featuring Callum’s dad below: