Glasgow musician C Duncan on touring with Elbow and recruiting his parents for latest album

From recording in his bedroom to performing across the world with Elbow, it’s been an incredible few years for C Duncan.

Throw in a prestigious Mercury Music Prize nomination for his debut album and it sounds like a dream come true.

Now C Duncan is shining a light on his heritage, with his classical musician parents guesting on his new album and set to appear on stage at his upcoming Scottish shows.

The Glaswegian indie pop singer, who is himself classically trained, said a change of recording style made it possible for his mum and dad to contribute to third album, Health.

“I recorded the first two albums in my bedroom, so my home set-up wasn’t suitable for strings,” said C (the C stands for Christopher).

“But it was something we had talked about for a while and they were overjoyed to be able to contribute to the album.”

He recorded it at Blueprint Studios in Salford, with Elbow’s Craig Potter producing.

“I wanted to try something new, because there are so many things I can’t do in a bedroom studio,” C continued.

“It just felt the natural thing to do.

“It did take some getting used to, but the thought of it was worse than the reality.

“I was so used to doing things myself, but once we got into the way of it in the studio I found it was good to bounce ideas off of someone.”

The collaboration with Potter came around after Duncan supported Elbow on tour.

“It was such an amazing experience to play to Elbow’s big audiences,” the 29-year-old continued.

“They told their fans to come out early and we received a great reception, playing to three-quarter filled rooms each night.

“We went with them to America and it was great to see cities I wouldn’t necessarily think of visiting.”

Having studied at the Royal Conservatoire, C also composes for television.

Music has always been a part of his life, but for a time in his adolescence he railed against following in his parents’ footsteps. “I knew from an early age I would end up as a musician, but I fought it in my teens and thought about becoming a dentist,” he laughed.

“But by the end of school I realised this was for me.

“While I was studying, I was still making pop music, which is something I have done since I was 13, working away on it alongside the classical stuff.

“It was only when I finished my studies I thought it would be good to have a career in pop.”

Recording debut, Architect, in his home, C was stunned at what happened next: a Mercury nod alongside the likes of Florence and the Machine, Wolf Alice, Aphex Twin, Supergrass frontman Gaz Coombes and eventual winner Benjamin Clementine.

“Receiving the Mercury nomination was a shock and very humbling,” admitted C.

“I didn’t think anyone would listen to it – I thought it would take a few albums to be noticed.

“But so many people started to listen because of the nomination.

“Previously I thought if I wanted to keep making music I would need a side job as well.

“I was working in a café at the time.

“But with everything that happened, it turned me into a full-time musician.”

C Duncan, Summerhall, Edinburgh & Maryhill Community Hall, Glasgow, May 10-11