Calvin Harris has revealed his backup plan was to work his way up in Marks and Spencer if his music dreams didn't pan out.
The Dumfries-born DJ, who is now the highest paid disk-jockey in the world, almost lost all hope of making a name for himself in music. Calvin, 38, whose real name is Adam Wiles, worked for the retail chain and planned to work his way up the ranks if he wasn't successful with music.
Speaking on Capital Dance with MistaJam, alongside his pal and frequent collaborator Ellie Goulding, he said: "I was 15 and 16 and I was sending demos to all these labels that were my favourite labels. What I was trying to do back then was I was trying to get signed."
He continued: "It didn't dawn on me that it wasn't going to work like that until much, much later on. I was actually 23 by the time I got a record deal and that's when I didn't care anymore.
"I was just making things because I wanted to make things."
He said: "I had a job at M&S and I was like 'maybe I'll just climb the ladder here, I'll be a section manager or something'. I wanted a car and I didn't want to spend all my money on music."
When asked about what advice he would give to young musicians trying to break into the industry, Calvin said: "You actually want the rejections because they can lead you on a path.
"If they don't want to sign you it's obviously not right for them and that's okay. Even if they did sign you against their will, they're not going to be pushing your records."
This comes after the Scots musician revealed to Scott Mills that he takes a framed photo of Rod Stewart to every gig.
When asked by Scott if he still has the picture, Calvin said "yes". He added: "Yes, he’s on the rider… the tech guys set him up [at each gig]. I’ve got this picture of Rod and he’s like pointing at the camera…"
Scott queried: "Is it the same picture that you bring, or is it on the rider for them to provide?" The We Found Love star added: "The venue doesn’t provide but the tech boys, my guys provide it, but there was one gig where they forgot Rod and ever since then they’ve got 4 or 5 identical pictures of Rod."
"That must put you right off your set [if you don’t have Rod]?," the radio DJ enquired. Calvin added: "Aye, it does. The thinking behind it is Rod is reminding you to engage, be present, have an amazing time and it’s just like having someone just cheering you on in the corner. If you ever feel alone."
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