Ewan McVicar opens up on burnout and teases new Scotland World Cup track

Scottish DJ Ewan McVicar spoke to Mistajam on Capital Dance, opening up about experiencing burnout in his career and how he has learned to reconnect with his music.

Reflecting on closing Creamfields last summer, McVicar explained that stepping back and listening to his own tracks away from the decks helped him rediscover his passion.

“I started listening to my own records again and I was like, ‘mate, these are class!’ Honestly the difference in me for that mental switch was just crazy,” he said. “I’d been through so much in this musical career. It zapped my energy. I didn’t like my records, I wasn’t happy with my team. Then, with a team I trusted, I fell in love with my music again.”

McVicar described burnout as a natural part of any career, but said moments of clarity and enthusiasm can return unexpectedly. “Sometimes you just wake up one day and you’re like, ‘I’m going to smash this today,’” he said.

The DJ also teased a new project, revealing he is collaborating with Clanadonia to create a track for Scotland’s upcoming World Cup campaign.

“It’s not going to be a dance record. It’s going to be what I want to achieve from a Scotland record. Chanty things! Tribal Scottish drummers and bagpipers, which is insane,” McVicar said.

Mistajam joked about the possibility of him performing live if Scotland reach the finals, to which McVicar laughed: “Yeah, I’ll be there. You’d have to cancel my residency for that mate because nobody is stopping me going.”

Listen to Capital with Mistajam Monday to Saturday from 4pm – 7pm across the UK and on Global Player.