Curtis Set to Make Waves at Electric Picnic 2017
By Alannah Kenny
UP AND COMING Clondalkin singer-songwriter Curtis Walsh will be attending Electric Picnic this year after an exciting début in 2016.
He developed a solid fanbase at the age of 15 by performing at local venues such as The Swallows pub in Clondalkin and later he secured the prestigious Una Healy Scholarship in 2016.
When his family relocated to Co. Laois, Curtis went on to win a Battle of the Bands competition in the Druid Inn, leading to his performance on the Oxjam Stage at Electric Picnic last year.
Over 12 months, Curtis performed with big artists such as The Academic and The Blizzards and he is now signed to Milestone Management in Ireland.
Now age 16, he is busy penning and performing new tunes in the studio with his début single expected to arrive before Christmas this year and his EP arriving in the spring of 2018.
You can catch him at the Play at the Picnic Stage on Saturday, September 2 at this year’s Electric Picnic.
Curtis took time out of his busy schedule to chat with The Echo about the details.
How did it feel getting another call from Electric Picnic?
I felt delighted and very grateful to be called back as it’s such an amazing opportunity to play in front of such a big crowd for a second time.
Are your expectations any different than last year?
I’m hopefully expecting to see a different crowd reaction as I have a lot of new material written in the last 12 months that probably show a different side to me.
Recently you have signed on with a new manager at Milestone Management. What has that experience been like for you?
It’s been brilliant because Brian and Ciaran who run the management company are very experienced, and have a lot of great contacts. Plus there is always something to be learned as they manage other great Irish artists.
If you could describe your style of music/performing in just 3 words, what would it be?
Original, acoustic, involved
Have you stayed consistent or experimented in your style of music?
I’m always trying new styles and ways to write music to try and make every song as unique as possible. I’m also listening to lots of other songs and songwriters – both past and present – to pick up as many ideas as possible.
What can people expect from your Electric Picnic performance this year?
This year I’ll be using a thing called a loop pedal to try and make the sound as full as a band. If you saw Ed Sheeran at Glastonbury, that’s the kind of thing I’m doing. And I will be playing a lot more of my own songs, as last year there were a few cover versions included in my set.
Any ideal gigs you would love to play?
A music venue I’ve always wanted to play ever since I started writing music was the Olympia Theatre in Dublin.
What has been your best memory of performing to date?
My best memory to date is playing for President Michael D Higgins a few weeks ago at one of his Garden parties. It was such an honour to be invited, and it was an amazing experience.
When you last spoke to us you mentioned that you were a big supporter of Special Olympics Ireland. Is that still the case?
I haven’t been a volunteer since last season but still support the Special Olympics as I think it’s amazing for young kids with special needs.
Where do you see yourself in 10 years?
I hope to see myself as a very successful singer/songwriter touring internationally and recording as much as possible.
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