Paolo Nutini - Biography

Paolo Nutini (born 1987) is a singer/songwriter from Paisley, Scotland. His father is of Italian descent and his mother Glaswegian, although his father's family have been in Scotland for four generations. His influences include David Bowie, Damien Rice, Oasis, the Beatles, U2, Pink Floyd and Fleetwood Mac.

Musical career

Nutini had no formal music training, and was expecting to follow his father into the family fish and chip shop business. He was first encouraged to sing by his music-loving grandfather and a teacher at his school who recognised his talent. He left school to work as a roadie and sell t-shirts for Speedway and spent three years learning the music business, performing live, alone and with a band, and working as a studio hand at Glasgow's Park Lane Studio.

His big chance came when he attended a concert for David Sneddon's return to his home town of Paisley at the beginning of 2003. Sneddon was delayed, and as the winner of an impromptu pop quiz, Nutini was given the chance to perform a couple of songs on stage during the wait. The favourable reaction of the crowd impressed another member of the audience, who offered to become his manager.

A Daily Record journalist, John Dingwall, saw him performing at the Queen Margaret Union, and invited him to appear live on Radio Scotland. Still only 17, he moved to London, and performed regularly at the Bedford pub in Balham whilst still legally too young to drink alcohol himself. Other radio and live appearances followed, including two live acoustic spots on Radio London, The Hard Rock Cafe, and support slots for Amy Winehouse and KT Tunstall .

Throughout 2006 he has played a number of sell-out concerts in the UK, and performed at a wide variety of venues worldwide, including King Tut's Wah Wah Hut in Glasgow, a TV appearance on Later with Jools Holland, the Carnegie Hall in New York, The Montreux Jazz Festival, The Wireless Festival, Oxegen and T in the Park. He supported the Rolling Stones in Vienna and has been invited to appear with them again at the Don Valley Stadium in August 2006. He is also booked to appear at the V Festival and The Austin City Limits Music Festival, Texas later this year, with a European tour to follow in the Autumn.

Recording history

Paolo Nutini was signed to Atlantic Records in May 2005, shortly after his 18th birthday. He released his first single 'These Streets' as a free download in May 2006, this was then followed by 'Last Request' which was released on 4th July 2006 and charted at #5 in the Official UK charts. In the video for 'Last Request' Nutini plays the part of a robber - though this is not revealed until the end.

His debut album These Streets, produced by Ken Nelson (Coldplay/Gomez), was released on 17th July 2006 and immediately entered the UK album charts at #3. Many of the songs on the album, including 'Last Request' and 'Rewind', were inspired by a turbulent relationship with a girlfriend, and 'Jenny Don't Be Hasty' is a true story about encounters with an older woman.

Paolo Nutini Official Website