Scottish singer-songwriter Calum Baird has shared his latest single Something New This Way Comes – a poetic and resonant track that captures the tension and anticipation of change.
Showcasing Calum’s raw acoustic sound and thought-provoking lyricism, the song reflects the arrival of a subtle but profound transformation.
Out now, the song employs vivid imagery and metaphors to explore themes of hope and frustration in the face of wasted time and growing momentum. With a steady acoustic guitar grounding the track and a dramatic spaghetti Western-style solo, the song’s arrangement builds alongside Calum’s rising vocal line. Reminiscent of early Bob Dylan, the title line, Something New This Way Comes, echoes through each verse, hinting at the subtle signs of transformation beginning to emerge.
“I wanted to capture the feeling of change on the horizon in the world today —something both powerful and subtle. Specifically, I’m looking at the decline in Western influence on the global stage, the rise of new powers and what this might mean locally and internationally,” explained Calum.
“It’s a song about hope but also about the palpable frustration that’s in the air which I think comes inaction on issues like declining living standards, growing social alienation and climate breakdown, as well as growing awareness that there appears to be a new mood in the air in terms of people’s attitudes towards these issues – both the good and the bad aspects of that this mood brings.”
Calum recently performed at the Havana Biennial, the largest arts fair in Latin America, where he was the only Scottish and British musician to perform, earning recognition in Scottish media and the Scottish Parliament. Following this milestone, he kicks off 2025 with a headline show at Leith Depot in Edinburgh on 22nd February and a UK & European tour, which includes solo shows, festival slots and a German tour in June. His latest EP, Between the Worlds, released in September 2024, has been widely featured on BBC Radio, Amazing Radio, and Amazing Radio USA, with music journalist Jim Gellatly describing the title track as “Poignant in times like these that we live in.”
Tickets for Calum Baird’s headline show at Leith Depot on 22th February are available now: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/calum-baird-elsie-macdonald-tickets-1067983269709?aff=oddtdtcreator
Calum Baird Biography
“Echoing early Billy Bragg with his dogged optimism” – Tom Robinson, BBC 6 Music
“Contemporary, contemplative and thoughtful” – Iain Anderson, BBC Radio Scotland
“A rising Scottish folk star“ – Jim Gellatly, Amazing Radio
“A wonderful songwriter” – Charlie Ashcroft, Amazing Radio USA
“Calum Baird is always an interesting and thought provoking songwriter“ – Alistair Braidwood, Scots Whay Hae!
“A great, hard-working singer-songwriter with a story tell” – Del Osei-Owusu, Fresh On The Net
Calum Baird is an emerging Scottish indie-folk singer-songwriter and musician featured on BBC Radio 2, BBC 6 Music, BBC Introducing and BBC Radio Scotland. Calum’s music is characterised by its honesty and authenticity, with lyrics that are often introspective and personal. His songs explore social commentary, modern life, relationships, alienation and social change.
Calum’s music has been featured on radio stations across the UK and internationally, and he has toured throughout the UK and Europe performing at festivals and events. He has been featured in online media and the press, including in Scotland on Sunday as their Artist of the Week.
In addition to touring and writing his own music, Calum wrote and composed the musical score for the award-winning feature-film Exiles (2021) written by Glasgow poet and writer, Victoria McNulty.
