In the Mix

Since bursting onto the scene at the end of 2020 life has been hectic for Shane Codd. A deal with Polydor Records for global distribution of the Bailieborough musician’s work was only the start of a career that has been going at F1 pace.

In the last 12 months Shane has amassed 80 million Spotify streams by 12.9 million listeners. ‘Get Out My Head’ reached #1 Shazam spot in Ireland, #1 iTunes Ireland, #1 Apple Music Ireland, #6 Spotify Ireland, #5 Official Singles Chart. It is also the Most Played Headline Irish Single this year, going platinum in Ireland and peaking at number six in the UK Official Chart.

Shane followed ‘Get Out My Head’ with ‘Always On My Mind’ featuring Charlotte Haining. This latest track has been filling dance floors across Ireland the UK the last number of months. Big dates in Belfast,Cork and Galway were all fulfilled before restriction Pt 2, kicked in.

For now the Cavan man is dividing his time between Bailieborough and the UK, but the lure of city lights now has the producer house hunting in London. “I’m only just back from England, and I’m heading back to play a few gigs next week,” he says with the enthusiasm of a man relishing his work.

One of the ways Shane is expressing his artistic gift is by remixing singles by other acts. “I recently did a remix of ‘Love (Sweet Love)’ for Little Mix. They brought that out at the end of October. I also did a version of ‘Don’t Play’ by Anne-Marie, KSI and Digital Farm Animals. The most recent one I worked on is by The Wanted. I’ve done a couple of Instagram lives with Max George. They’re sound lads.”

The Wanted singer is a presenter of Friday Night Hits on the popular Hits Radio Network. That’s where he and Shane first made contact. “I was a guest on the show and he told me the band were having a comeback and asked me if I would remix their single. I jumped at it.”

The Little Mix remix meanwhile was set-up through Shane’s record label. “Little Mix asked for me. That was really exciting,” he says.

Before the success of ‘Get Out My Head’ Shane already had a steady stream of output for his fans, and this has continued since signing with Polydor. “I do have a lot of freedom in that regard. I’ve just put together a playlist of 14 demos,” says Shane. “They’re sitting there ready to go. They just need to be finished off. We are planning things out for the next year.”

He adds: “I could take a song from years ago, do an updated version of it and if we liked it I could release it.”

Shane’s approach to creating music is evolving.

“I’m doing a lot of sessions at the moment. I’m working with songwriters and other musicians. I have a couple of songs that I’ve written as part of song-writing sessions. At the moment I’m leaning toward working with people, writing my own lyrics and using that as a starting point. When I move to London I will be able to do a lot more writing sessions,” he outlines.

The Covid restrictions imposed though are denting the music business. Yet Shane is aware that without the first lockdown he may not be where he now finds himself. “It was amazing. I broke through because of lockdown. I’m grateful for how things worked out. This weekend I’m doing the Capital FM Jingle Bell Ball. That’s in front of 20,000 people.”

The Jingle Bell Ball is held every December by radio station Capital FM at The O2 in London. Previous headliners include Katy Perry, Taylor Swift, Coldplay, Stormzy, Lady Gaga, and Kylie.

“The line up is incredible. Ed Sheeran, Anne-Marie, Justin Bieber,” Shane tells. “It’s unbelievable to be playing a line up with all these artists. I’m nervous, but grateful to be a part of it. I’m looking forward to it. My mam and my sister are coming over. They’re going to be in the crowd watching.”

It hasn’t all be plain sailing however. “I did two great concerts in Cork and Galway. They were great craic. Dublin was almost sold out, then it was cancelled because of the restrictions.”

The shut down of concerts scuppered a local show too. “I was supposed to do Cavan town at the end of December. A lot of friends were going to that. It’s unfortunate they were cancelled, but I am still busy with the UK gigs.”

Dublin and Cavan were not the only live shows impacted this year. “I was meant to play a number of gigs in Greece all last summer, that could get moved forward to this year. I was also supposed to play Tomorrowland,” he says of the Belgian electronic dance music festival held in Boom, Belgium. “It’s the biggest dance music festival in the world. I’ve been dreaming of playing there for years.

“Since I was kid I’d watch the Tomorrowland after movie. I loved the sets of DJs like Tiesto or Avicii; then I was asked to play there! That has been pushed forward to next year. So this summer I’ll be playing there. Hopefully I’ll also be playing Creamfields and Electric Picnic and a few others.”

Shane has a definite ambition for the Belgian festival. “I hope to play there every year, and every year go back and play a bigger show, and hopefully get to do the Main Stage.”

The 24 year old is aware that even when you’re doing something you love you need to strike the work life balance. “I do my gigs at the weekend and during the week I work on my music. It’s not too bad, but I do have to balance it. I’ve to look after myself, make sure I’m going to the gym and keeping the head right.”