Stirling could be Scotland’s next global superstar with release of heavenly second single
WHO: Stirling
Where: Los Angeles
For fans of: Avicii, Years & Years, Ed Sheeran
Jim says: Though he's been based in LA for the past couple of years, Stirling's roots are very much in Scotland. His artist name is the giveaway, a nod to the city where he was born.
Back home for a visit he told me: "I'm all about love for my home town. My family has been here for over 300 years and it was a way of me staying close to that, almost like carrying my family's banner in the USA.
"People in the states mostly think it's just a cool name, something unusual and artsy. That changes when I tell them the history, like there's a new level of understanding."
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The first Stirling single continued that thread. He explained: "I decided to release Let You Down first because I wrote it for my parents back home, a way to let them know that even though I'm chasing this crazy, elusive dream, I'd make them proud no matter how long it takes me."
An acoustic driven pop gem, it was a great introduction. Stirling has surpassed it with his second single All My Friends Have Got This Figured Out.
Another slice of pop heaven it has future classic written all over it. Real name Robert Gillies, the singer-songwriter first moved to the States just over 10 years ago to study at the renowned Berklee College of Music in Boston.
While still at college he wrote and performed with fellow student and future million-seller Charlie Puth, even appearing on the Ellen DeGeneres Show. Winning contests, meeting guest songwriters and travelling to Nashville for sessions, his dreams were starting to take shape.
He said: "I've been playing music since I could walk. Both of my parents are musicians. My mum played with the BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra in Glasgow and I spent a load of time hanging around studios, musicians and producers."
He was 17 when he first picked up a guitar though. He continued: "I wrote a few songs here and there, but it wasn't until a pretty huge break-up that the songs just started coming out.
"I knew I wanted to take it seriously and since I was on a John Mayer bender, I heard about Berklee College of Music. I applied, auditioned, and ended up studying Solareye.
"I actually bumped into John Mayer while I was there. I held the door for him once, didn't recognise him right away and totally facepalmed myself about ten minutes later when it hit me!"
Although he's released a couple of albums under his own name as an acoustic singer-songwriter, the Stirling project comes off the back of a massive co-write.
The Machine Gun Kelly, X Ambassadors and Bebe Rexha track Home earned him a gold disc. The song featured on the soundtrack of the Netflix movie Bright, starring Will Smith.
He said: "That took it to the next level. Being able to sustain myself and my family through music as well, that's honestly the biggest thing for me.
"I could be touring arenas, opening for Ed Sheeran, but that right there is the highlight I'm building on."
It's the perfect foundation as Stirling starts to make an impact in his own right.
He added: "My entire strategy going into LA was writing for others first to really develop my craft, and then take those lessons and apply it to my own tracks.
"From my first single to my second I can hear a huge leap in my abilities as a writer and that comes from constantly being on the move, challenging myself."
Scotland's next global superstar? I wouldn't bet against it.
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Jim presents a weekly showcase of New Music on Amazing Radio Sundays 2-4pm.
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