Telford band on 'unbelievable' performance with Teddy Swims and first single release this Spring

Callum & The Pookies will be releasing their first single as a band this April. Named Pretend, the upbeat song is designed for the summer and has been completely written, produced and recorded by the six-piece. 

It’s been long in the making, lead singer Callum Doignie told the Shropshire Star. 

The singing builder, who reached the finals of ITV's hit show The Voice as part of Sir Tom Jones’ team in 2023, said: “Since I came off The Voice, I've wanted to do original music. 

“Getting the band together around June last year, it was more about playing with them and being able to start being creative.

“We came together and started writing songs.” 

Callum, who is originally from Wellington, said: “I love performing but I want to perform my own songs now. 

“I want something online that people can refer to me to - especially with my band, what we've written and the effort and time, the love and care we have put into it.

“All the evenings that we're not working our full time jobs, we're either practicing together, writing or recording. 

“We record everything at my house. I built my own studio. I don't necessarily know how to use everything in it yet. 

“I think it’s the right time especially in my life - I'm 30 now - and to be able to say I've released a song with my mates on Spotify, or whatever platform, is a massive honour. 

“And it's something I can always look back on. 

“We're not going to be here forever, but I've always got something there then, and it's something I'm proud of.” 

The exciting release comes just weeks after the band performed with American singer-songwriter and rapper Teddy Swims, best known for his 2023 single Lose Control. 

Ahead of the superstar’s performance in Birmingham on Tuesday, March 4, the singer was seen serving lunch with TikTok sensation Spudman - and singing alongside Callum & The Pookies.

Recalling the performance, Callum said the experience was “unbelievable”. 

Seeing Teddy sing with such "ease" had floored him - and reminded him why he’s in the industry. 

“We never expected to do a duet or anything like that because when we got there on the day, we were told that Teddy has to save his voice for his show,” Callum said. 

“But I think when Teddy had seen how many people were there, he thought, ‘I've got to’ - almost as a bit of a thank you.” 

Callum added: “I love doing what I do, and I want to carry on and try my best at it, and keep going until I can't. 

“It gave me that drive; speaking to him, Teddy has been doing [music] for 10 plus years, but the past year or two years have been absolutely wild for him.

“He kept plugging along. It didn’t matter how many ‘no’s’ he had, he just kept doing what he loved. 

“I was absolutely buzzing.

“It was more so a story of being in the right place at the right time, and my mate Spudman giving me a little heads up.” 

Callum said he has a strong friendship with Spudman, who has a food truck in Tamworth, and he even performed at the viral TikToker’s wedding. 

He added: “I was actually a proper fan of Spudman before I met him. 

“I was just watching him do potatoes on TikTok. And I was like, ‘this is the greatest thing I've ever seen’. 

“I went up to his van and told him I was a singer - and then it all escalated from there.

“I've got a really nice relationship with him. He is such a kind person, such a lovely bloke. 

“And he actually took me along with him to go see Teddy in the evening as well.”

Callum & The Pookies are excited to showcase their music to the public next month and thank everyone for the “incredible” support they have received so far. 

“I do feel like that people have taken a real liking to us,” Callum said.

“They see us doing great things [in the future] and have a lot of belief, which is amazing, especially from strangers. 

“The local support, especially from Telford and surrounding areas, is phenomenal. 

“I'm glad to be from here and it makes me proud.”

Find out more information about Callum & The Pookies via the official social media channels.