The Sunday Sandbox Sessions

The Sunday Sandbox (TSS): From what I have read and our previous exchanges, you went from running a pub to experimenting with music and going for ‘a long walk’ in Australia, to come back with the new energy and conviction to take the path of a musical career. Sounds straight forward put like that! Can you share with us any significant memories you have with music, when you took the plunge to sing and what was the tipping point that made you say, ‘yes’, this is where I am going’!

 

Tom: When I moved to London, I was working as a waiter in a restaurant during the day and heading out most nights to perform open mics to get my confidence up and name out there. I remember my third month living there, I met Johnny Marr - he signed my guitar and told me to "focus on my musical journey". Little did I know, but that was really the start of some exciting adventures... 

 

TSS: Looking back since, what have your learnt so far about being a musician, what has and has not surprised you? 

 

Tom: I've always been hard working (since my first paper round at the age of 13), so was never shy of putting in a shift - but maybe I didn't totally realise just how much graft you have to put into it. I work constantly, relentlessly - and probably struggle to switch off at the moment...

I wake up at 6.30am every day, go for a walk and meditate. When I went self-employed, I found that I struggled to stay totally focused and was constantly slipping into distraction.

 

TSS: Being an independent artist must have its highs and lows at times. What gives you a spring in your step and what gets on your goat?

 

Tom: There's been some financial lows, to be honest - but they are seriously outweighed by the feeling of creating something from scratch and for it to be aired on national radio, or having your favourite journalist write some great words about it. In fact, seeing anyone respond positively, or knowing that you have struck a chord with someone, is a special feeling. A mega high.

 

TSS: Your lyrics conjure up fantastic snippets of life that we all relate to in one way or another. Adding to this, a unique voice that can only make us pay more attention, can you tell us about your creative process? 

 

Tom: Thanks for mentioning these things! I always try to study the ordinary, and a lot of this points back to the days of me being behind the bar in our pub. Story telling was always my favourite part of English class at school, and it's stayed with me ever since.

 

TSS: Have you observed when the ideas come to you the most and what does that look like?

 

Tom: They can come at awful moments, like when I'm sitting down for an evening meal with my partner and she is telling me about her day - I have to rudely interrupt and write something down, or voice record a line/melody. To put a song together properly, I lock myself away and take myself through the dark corners of my mind.

 

TSS: You mention music that mattered to you as a kid. Any recent discoveries you are listening to? 

 

Tom: He's not a new artist by any means - but I've been hooked on Gaz Coombes' latest album 'World's Strongest Man'. Great songs, interesting production. Genius.

 

TSS: You also spoke about having the opportunity to work with Mick Jones and Matt Johnson, are there other musicians you have been collaborating with lately who have made an impression on you?

 

Tom: I've been writing a fair bit with the wonderfully talented Sam Brookes. We have very different styles, but seem to work really well when we put our heads (and voices) together. A swell as this, I've been doing some pop writing with a producer called Dan Dare (known for his work with Charli XCX and Marina and The Diamonds).

 

TSS: The musical industry feels more volatile than ever, especially as an independent artist, from where I am it looks like you have to be a multi-skilled, multi-disciplined entrepreneur, a kind of octopus, able to do many different things related to your work, other than create and perform. How true would you say this is?

 

Tom: Yes - totally. It is possible to be autonomous, and I've really tried to get my business head on this year

 

TSS: Linked to the previous question, my assumption is that you are not ‘only’ working on Tom Bright, but other projects. Can you share with us what they are?

 

Tom: I've set-up a side project this year, aptly called 'BRIGHT'. Through this, I offer artist development, song writing guidance, production, put on events, create press and radio opportunities through my network and manage all digital marketing aspects (which are paramount these days). I know how difficult it was for me starting out in the industry, building your connection base, booking your first tours etc., so just want to help artists so they have more time to be creative.

Last week, I actually signed a composer contract too, so will be putting together instrumental music for an audio library.

 

TSS: Is the album in the oven?

 

Tom: There may well be an album in the oven - but, in this new age world we live in, the plan is it as a collection of singles. It seems the attention spans struggle a little now (with so much new music out there every week for all to stream).

 

TSS: Anything you want to share?

 

Tom: My next single is called 'Storm In A Teacup'. It will be released in the new year, with some of the proceeds going to a small mental health charity called SANE. They are based in North London (my neighbourhood), and after finding out that they don't receive any government funding, I was mortified. I wrote the track in half an hour, got Sam Brookes over and we got it down. There's some great guest appearances on the track too. I hope it connects with people who are afraid to be honest with how they are feeling at low points of their lives.

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Forgot to mention that I'm also curating my own festival in London on 22/23 September, in association with The Joe Strummer Foundation. It's called Bright Fest, and features some amazing upcoming artists, such as Sam Brookes and Anna Pancaldi. It will be live stream from Strummerville's social media sites, so if you're in France, please tune in!

 

Straight after that, I head out on my very first UK headline tour (starting at Hotel Pelirocco, Brighton, on 2nd Oct).

 

Huge thanks Tom, for taking the time to respond to our questions and looking forward to seeing you very, very soon!