A lifelong Forest-fan has revealed his pride at hearing his hometown-inspired song blare out at the City Ground before a match.
Folk-style artist Louis Croft’s song ‘This Town’ was released in November last year.
He previously supported The Lathums and The Coral at their shows.
The 24-year-old’s EP, also named ‘This Town’, gained attention on X (formerly Twitter) last November after Nottingham Forest fans enjoyed the track.
It has since been played at the ground during a home match.
He said: “It kind of really caught fire and loads of Forest fans shared it and got in touch saying how much they liked it and how much it touched them.
“It’s quite a pleasure to be able to write songs about Nottingham in a positive way… I think people need to hear some positives about their lives and where they’re from.”
Since then, the young singer has played multiple sets at the Nottingham Forest fan zone.
Having gone to Nottingham Forest games since he was five years old, the highlight for Louis was listening to his song play through the stadium from his season ticket seat before a match.
He said: “It was really cool, really strange because I record my own music so it’s totally a hundred per cent me so it’s quite a landmark moment.”
Louis has found more freedom in his craft after going independent at the start of the year.
He said: “Being independent, I absolutely love it because I work to my own time, I create content myself, me and my mate have shot music videos for years and there’s no pressure at all and it’s gone better than I thought… I am happier.
“When you’re in the actual business I think it’s do or die- if you don’t hit the targets that they want you get shelved quite fast and it’s up to you to bring the motivation back.”
He found being signed to a label restrictive and inorganic.
He said: “When you’re on a label, for me, with good intentions, they forced me down a route I didn’t want to go.
“They forced me to be this sixties style black and white Bob Dylan, polo neck and that’s not me at heart… that was trying to be something I’m not and it didn’t work.”
He has found refuge in his songwriting, where he added: “Music is therapy and I have songs that I’m never going to release.
“There are things that are quite difficult to cope with and I am a bloke- sometimes it’s difficult to put your finger on what’s making you sad or anxious and music is great for that.”
Louis is currently working on an album centred around Nottingham, his home and his late Irish grandfather, who he credits for his connection with Irish folk music.
His newly released single ‘I’m going away’ pays tribute to his grandfather and his journey from Ireland.
Listen to Louis’ songs here.
