Lewis Capaldi has claimed record labels ‘know nothing’ about music and joked that ‘life is meaningless’ in his first interview since cancelling all his upcoming gigs.
The singer, 26, appeared on the hugely popular YouTube interview series Hot Ones where he was asked about what he has learned during his years in the music industry.
The Scottish hitmaker replied that he has learned no one knows which song or album will end up being a hit and many tracks he thought would be a success didn’t work out.
He said: ‘The question is a good one. Right, you just learn that you don’t know anything. You learn you don’t know anything and nobody has the answers.
‘You don’t know what a hit is – every time I think a song is a smash hit, it’s been a complete abject f*****g failure. Labels know nothing, you know nothing. Nobody knows anything. No offence.’
Candid: Lewis Capaldi has claimed record labels ‘know nothing’ about music and joked that ‘life is meaningless’ in his first interview since cancelling all his upcoming gigs
Interview: The singer, 26, appeared on the hugely popular YouTube interview series Hot Ones where he was asked about what he has learned during his years in the music industry
Lewis was also asked about his struggles with imposter syndrome despite his huge success and gave a sarcastic answer, proclaiming that ‘life is meaningless’.
The singer joked: ‘I was on the verge of a panic attack. My advice for people struggling? It’s such a good question.
‘If you’re feeling like an imposter, it’s probably because you suck. You’re going to die alone everybody is what I’m saying to you.
‘Erm, if you’re out there, and you feel like an imposter – life is meaningless. None of this means anything. Hell is waiting for us all!’
The interview comes after Lewis announced an extended break from touring due to his Tourette’s syndrome after he struggled to finish his Glastonbury set – raising fears over the future of his music career.
The star took to social media to announce that he will not be touring ‘for the foreseeable future’ as it is ‘obvious’ he needs to spend ‘much more time getting my mental and physical health in order.’
The decision, which he branded ‘the most difficult of my life’, reveals the true toll the condition is taking on the hitmaker, who has been remarkably open about his mental health struggles in the past.
Tourette’s experts told MailOnline that it was not possible to know when Lewis would be back performing as every individual has different treatment needs, as they praised him for being ‘an inspiration for many’ while warning his recovery should not be rushed.
Honest: The Scottish hitmaker replied that he has learned no one knows which song or album will end up being a hit and many tracks he thought would be a success didn’t work out
The Scotsman had already taken three weeks off before his gig on the Pyramid Stage at Glastonbury but admitted it was not enough and that he was ‘still learning to adjust to the impact of my Tourette’s.’
The singer-songwriter became emotional as he started losing his voice during the performance, prompting him to apologise to the crowds – who then helped him finish his songs in heartwarming footage that quickly went viral.
But posting on Instagram, Lewis confirmed that he was cancelling the planned 24 live dates he had scheduled for the rest of the year.
‘Hello everyone. First of all thank you to Glastonbury for having me, for singing along when I needed it and for all the amazing messages afterwards. It really does mean the world,’ he began.
‘The fact that this probably won’t come as a surprise doesn’t make it any easier to write, bit I’m very sorry to let you know I’m going to be taking a break from touring for the foreseeable future.
‘I used to be able to enjoy every second of shows like this and I’d hoped 3 weeks away would sort me out. But the truth is I’m still learning to adjust to the the impact of my Tourette’s and on Saturday it became obvious that I need to spend much more time getting my mental and physical health in order, so I can keep doing everything I love for a long time to come.’
Break: The interview comes after Lewis announced an extended break from touring due to his Tourette’s syndrome after he struggled to finish his Glastonbury set
Sorry: Posting on Instagram, Lewis confirmed that he was cancelling the planned 24 live dates he had scheduled for the rest of the year
‘I know I’m incredibly fortunate to be able to take some time out when others can’t and I’d like to thank my amazing family, friends, team, medical professionals and all of you who’ve been so supportive every step of the way through the good times and even more during this past year when I’ve needed it more than ever.’
‘I’m so incredibly sorry to everyone who had planned to come to a show before the end of the year but I need to feel well to perform at the standard you all deserve. Playing for you every night is all I’ve ever dreamed of so this has been the most difficult decision of my life. I’ll be back as soon as I possible can. All my love always, Lewis’.
Lewis had 24 remaining dates scheduled for his Broken by Desire to Be Heavenly Sent tour, ending in Belfast at Boucher Road Playing Fields on September 3.
Lewis has been open about his struggles with Tourette’s – a neurological condition characterised by a combination of involuntary noises and movements called tics, which can cause speech and voice abnormalities.
In his recently released documentary How I’m Feeling Now, Lewis explored his struggles with Tourette’s and how he tried to reconnect with friends and family as he returned to Scotland after becoming famous.
A touching video of Lewis onstage in Frankfurt showed the moment fans took over singing for him as he struggled with Tourette’s symptoms in February this year.
He can be seen turning away from the microphone as he struggled with his head and shoulder twitching uncontrollably, but much like in Glastonbury at the weekend, his legions of fans helped him sing the rest of the song.
Back in September, Lewis first revealed he had Tourette’s and explained that he wanted to go public as he ‘didn’t want people to think he was taking cocaine.’
The singer said the diagnosis was recent and explained that he was learning new methods to deal with it ‘all the time’ – including being treated with Botox injections to freeze his muscles to try to control the tics.
Discussing the diagnosis, Lewis said it filled him with relief, saying: ‘I’m a hypochondriac so I immediately think death, it’s more than worry, I have an all-consuming sense of doom.
‘So when I got the Tourette’s diagnosis, I was like thank God for that, at least it’s not life threatening and everything’s good to go.’
