Paolo Nutini

Paolo Nutini is a Scottish singer-songwriter from Paisley, Scotland. His music is associated with alternative rock, blues, folk rock, indie rock, pop and rock.

Early life and background

Nutini is born in 1987 in Paisley. He has an Italian family background through his father, while his mother is Glaswegian, and his father’s family has been in Scotland for four generations. He has no formal music training. Before pursuing music, he expects to follow his father into the family fish and chip shop business. He is first encouraged to sing by his grandfather, who loves music, and by a teacher at school who recognises his talent.

Early career

After leaving school, Nutini works as a roadie and sells T-shirts for Speedway. He spends three years learning the music business, performing live both solo and with a band, and working as a studio hand at Glasgow’s Park Lane Studio.

His breakthrough comes in Paisley in 2003, when David Sneddon’s homecoming concert is delayed and Nutini wins an impromptu pop quiz, giving him the chance to sing on stage. The response leads to an offer of management from someone in the audience. Journalist John Dingwall later sees him perform at the Queen Margaret Union and invites him to appear live on Radio Scotland. Still a teenager, he moves to London and performs regularly at the Bedford pub in Balham, alongside further radio and live appearances. These include two acoustic sessions on Radio London, a performance at the Hard Rock Cafe, and support slots for Amy Winehouse and KT Tunstall.

Albums and recordings

His debut album, These Streets, is produced by Ken Nelson and enters the UK album chart at number three. Several songs on the album draw on a difficult relationship with a girlfriend, including “Last Request” and “Rewind”. “Jenny Don’t Be Hasty” is based on real encounters with an older woman.

Nutini’s second studio album, Sunny Side Up, follows in 2009. “Candy” is released as the first single from the album, and “Coming Up Easy” later appears as another single. He performs “Coming Up Easy” on Friday Night with Jonathan Ross.

Influences

Nutini cites David Bowie, Damien Rice, Oasis, The Beatles, U2, Pink Floyd and Fleetwood Mac among his influences.