Ed Sheeran’s Dublin friend of 15-years reflected on a time when they had to sleep on floors during a tour.
Kal Lavelle, who has a writing credit on his hit single ‘Shivers’, is buzzing to hear the song that changed her life being sung by Irish fans in Croke Park this weekend.
She’s delighted to share the success of the song with the triumphant artist she met when he was just 16-years-old.
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She said: “I’ve known him since he was 16, he’s 31 now. He’s the same person, he’s really cool. It was amazing for me to tour with him back in 2011 because it was the beginning of him becoming really big.
“People were excited even back then and it was an honour to be on tour with him. He's always been incredibly talented, even at 16. I used to run music shows and I gave him a lot of shows back then.
“We went on a tour together when he was 16. We went all around the UK. We all put money in and we rented a minibus, Neither me or Ed could drive at the time but the other artists took turns driving it.
“We were sleeping on people's floors and we just got on really well.
“He was playing ‘You Need Me’ when we met and I thought he was incredible. He was very determined and very nice. I like good people. He’s still a good person, he’s really authentic, what you see is what you get.
“He’s very kind and thoughtful. My dad died in 2017 and he sent his condolences and asked what he could do. On the day of the funeral, he remembered what day it was and he texted me to say he was thinking about me.
“Even though he’s incredibly busy he does things like that. He knows the importance of friendship and I’m so happy that we’re still in each others lives after such a long time.”
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Kal admitted that the artist has remained humble throughout his whole career and she's grateful to have known him for such a long time
The success she shares with her pal has given her the opportunity to create music with Naughty Boy and she will be writing with Saibh Skelly tomorrow, a 17-year-old from Dublin.
She said: “We’re nominated for an Ivor Novello music award which is a really big award in the UK. We were number one in Ireland and the UK, but to have success with Ed is so great.
“When we got to number one he sent me a bottle of champagne and a really lovely note. It’s a pleasure, a beautiful thing and it’s great to be a part of it with a good person.
“I’m really proud of him, I've always believed in him and he deserves all his success. You always hope good people rise to the top.
“He’ll be playing Shivers and I can’t wait. 90,000 people will be singing along in Croke Park each night. I get excited when I hear it in clubs or restaurants, it makes me so happy.
“It’s a song that completely changed my life and it has given me so many opportunities.
“Ed really wants his audience to have a great time this weekend, connect and go on a journey.
"That's what makes him an incredible performer.”
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