Calum Agnew Talks Debut EP, His Voice And More

Mar 8, 2026 | Interviews

Words by Glenn Sargeant

Feature Image Photo Credit: Daniel Breene

Having burst onto the scene through 2025 with his unique blend of vintage flavoured soul and fluorescent, melancholic pop, Calum Agnew has quickly built a strong list of achievements: achieving 1,000+ radio plays and over 6 million impacts across just 3 singles amongst others. his debut EP ‘Bad Boy’ is out now and he sat down with JLTT to tell us more:

What is your earliest musical memory?

I vaguely remember my dad getting me to hum between the Star Wars and superman soundtracks as a toddler – I couldn’t even string a sentence together at that stage!

When did you begin songwriting?

I wrote my first song when I was 9 years old – it was called ‘Run’ and it was about running away from home after my mam gave out to me for having a messy room (I’ve always been quite dramatic)

You have your new EP ‘Bad Boy’ out now. How did you want to approach the making of the EP?

I think I just wanted to pour my heart and soul into a project that people in the future could possibly stumble across and relate to. The EP is a collection of songs that describe my transition from late adolescence to where I am today as a young adult, and my difficulties navigating my emotions throughout that period. There’s a certain uncertainty and self-deprecating tone heard throughout the project which I think is the rawest description of how I felt amongst these undiscovered feelings of love, lust and desire during that transition.

Where did you record the EP and who produced it?

I recorded “Never” and “At Least” with Philip Magee, and “Anymore”, “LALALA” and “Bad Boy” with Cian Boylan in Camden Recording Studios.

Do you have any interesting, funny or memorable stories from the recording sessions?

I think the funniest one that springs to mind would be when I was recording my debut single “Never”, and right before recording vocals I had eaten a spicy chicken wrap- it was so spicy however that I literally couldn’t sing properly for two hours (again, maybe I was being dramatic)

Did you use any particular instruments, microphones, recording equipment to help you get a particular sound/tone for the record?

We experimented with a range of techniques in the studio to capture the best possible sound. Having the full band there made it much easier to achieve the live band feel I was hoping for. During the guide track takes, we were constantly switching microphones and trying different setups to find what worked best and helped shape the tone of the record.

Which of your new EP tracks hear you at your a) happiest, b) angriest and c) most reflective?

A) Anymore
B) Never
C) At Least

Who were the musicians who were on the album with you?

Main Vocals – Calum Agnew
Backing Vocals – Lily May Craig & Shauna Byrne
Drums – Harry Luck
Piano – Jamie Dalton
Saxophone – Evan Gerry
Bass Guitar – Glen Feely
Electric Guitar – Patrick Griffin

Does the EP’s title have a specific meaning/significance?

I wanted a title that would strike the listener, whether that be in a good or a bad way. Right off the bat, one might think I’m trying to say to you that I could be cool and rebellious at any given time, but truly it’s a depiction of how easily I find I can change myself to accommodate the needs of someone I love, and I think that’s something many people navigating love and early relationships can relate to.

Was it a difficult EP to write?

I don’t think so no, I mean I’m quite in tune with my emotions and I think this EP was a way to express how I’ve navigated feeling particular intense moments of heartbreak both sonically and lyrically. I think the project as a whole was difficult to achieve in finalising it as the EP you see today but the songs in their rawest form was the easiest part to create, because the songs document my strongest emotions at the time of writing each song and it was just a matter of putting pen to paper!

Who designed the EP artwork?

Daniel Breene shot and edited the artwork- I couldn’t afford to rent out a photography studio so we actually transported my outdoor shed back home in County Meath for the day! (Broke musician core)

Where is your hometown and could you please describe it in five words?

I’m from Duleek in County Meath – it’s small but everyone knows everyone and there’s a gorgeous community feel. I love living in the city but there’s something about being home in my childhood bedroom that ignites a creative spark to write which I’ll forever cherish.

How do you look after your voice?

I do vocal warm-ups and cool-downs, especially before and after gigs, apple juice! It might all just be in my head but I think Apple juice is a game changer before performing a set (Don’t fact check me)

Do you have any live dates planned in the UK/Europe in 2026?

Not at the moment but I do plan on playing various Irish festivals this summer, as well as supporting The Coronas in Galway in May!

What two things do you hope to have achieved once you have left the stage?

That people have felt my music and received my message, so much so that they’ll want to follow my journey and that I’ve connected with at least one person in the audience.

Do you have any favoured stage instruments, effects, pedals, microphones etc?

I’m learning to play the trumpet at the moment which is quite fun! And it made its debut at my sold out headline show in the Grand Social in Dublin!

You are given the opportunity to write the score for a film adaptation of a novel that you enjoy. Which novel is it and why?

The Testaments by Margaret Atwood. I’m obsessed with anything dystopian and I think I could most certainly put a haunting, soul/jazz twist on the score!

One of the tracks is the title track single which is out now. What was the story/inspiration behind the song?

Bad Boy is a perfect depiction of how I felt attempting to change my whole persona for love. It tells a story of unresolved love in all its complexity, emotions I’m still attempting to understand.

Do you have any visualisers to accompany the album?

I have a music video for Bad Boy which came out on Friday March 6th

Who are some of your musical influences? Do you have any recommendations?

Amy Winehouse and Lana Del Rey are definitely my biggest inspirations, both sonically and lyrically. I’ve been listening to a lot of Etta James recently too!

What makes Calum Agnew happy and what makes you unhappy?

Nothing makes me happier than someone reaching out saying that they’ve connected with my music- that’s all I want to do. I want to create art for people in the future to hopefully stumble across and digest.

The sheer cost of it all as an independent artist makes me unhappy! Maybe that’ll change someday 🙂