AWAY FROM THE NOISE
LUKE LA VOLPE BEATING MY BROTHERS AT SPORT
I’m from Bathgate in Scotland and I’ve been singing and playing since I was 9 years old. My grandad played the trumpet and sang when he was in the army and he got me into all the old classics – Sinatra, Elvis, Johnny Cash. He taught me to sing ‘the right way’. I’ve just played my first gig back at Latitude festival, which was incredible after not playing any gigs for eighteen months. Lockdown did my head in with not being able to play, so I tried to stay active as much as possible. I have three brothers and we’re all really competitive with each other, so I’ll try any sport if there’s a chance of taking their scalps. Golf’s always a good one with Words by Luke La Volpe
them and we played tennis the other week, which was an absolute killer. It was a scorching day and it looked like my head had inflated afterwards. But I won, so it was worth it. I used to box and I still love to get into the gym for a bit of training or go for a swim. There have been periods over the last months where the whole thing has really got me down, but if I can get out for a run or any physical activity then I instantly feel better. You’ve got to keep active or the whole mess can seem impossible. On the more sedate side of things, I get out and go fishing whenever I get the chance. I can sit there all day, preferably with a mate but I’m quite happy to go on my own. 13
It’s great if you catch one or two, but just being out in the fresh air and quiet works for me. I like going out for a bit of good food and I’ll occasionally have a go at cooking. My mate’s dad’s a fishmonger and he sent me over some lovely stuff for free so I tried my hand at a cooking video to give him some promo. The food was great but I’m not sure there’s a new career in it for me. For everyone’s sake, I think it’s better that I get back to singing full time.. I’m playing TRNSMT, Live at Leeds and Liverpool Sound City this year, and supporting a great band in Sheffield in October, which will be announced soon.
Photography by Steph Nicol
