Tom Walker, Scottish singer, will tread the boards of Foufounes Electriques this Wednesday October 9, 2024as part of the launch of his second album I Am. BP Arts Media was able to speak with this artist.
« When I write songs, I try to make them as real as possible », says 32-year-old singer-songwriter Tom Walker. The singer, who has nearly six million monthly listeners on Spotify, draws on his personal experiences and those of those close to him to compose.
« I create depressing music with a touch of hope camouflaged in a mix of pop and indie », clarifies the musician. This one reaches fans of all ages “ more emotionally invested in the lyrics and who seem to connect to the stories ».
A guitarist since childhood, he began singing at the age of 19 after being rejected from a program focusing on this instrument at the London College of Contemporary Music. However, it was thanks to this defeat that he found his way. The jury recognized his talent elsewhere and instead directed him towards a degree in songwriting within the institution. “ While I was in college, I sort of discovered by accident that I had a unique voice […] and hoarse », soulève Tom Walker.
A devoted father
« At the age of 9, I saw my first concert, AC/DC, in Paris », says the composer. His music-loving father took him to several other shows, including those of John Mayer and BB King. He passed on his love for this art to her and bought her her first guitar.
“One day, without me even asking him, he came home with a little recording device and just said, ‘Find out how to use it because you keep sitting in your room playing all these guitar riffs and playing drums […] start recording it because you’ll forget everything,” he recalls. Tom Walker still uses this strategy today and does not hesitate to leave a place like McDonald’s to record a demo on his phone, no matter the time.
An unexpected success
In 2017, his record label, Relentless, directly contacted Steve Mac, a British producer and songwriter, best known for co-writing songs such as Shape of You d’Ed Sheeran et What About Us by P!nk.
During this first collaboration, they wrote the song Leave a Light On in less than five hours. This remains the singer’s greatest success to this day. “ I wouldn’t travel and have these great opportunities without this song », explains the artist who notably had the chance to visit Australia, New Zealand and Japan thanks to his music. Among his fondest memories are, “ one of the biggest festivals in the world », the Glastonbury festival where he had the privilege of playing in front of a crowd of around 8,000 people.
Her song made the top 10 in several European countries, including Italy and Austria, but did not place in the North American counts. “ It’s harder to break into another country when you’re not from there. “, he explains.
For Tom Walker, the number of spectators or the conquering of a new market does not matter. “ Even if I made minimum wage, as long as I make music […] and concerts with people who appreciate my songs […]I would be happy», remarks the singer “ who wouldn’t have imagined a career in music ».
« There are ups and downs and they can be difficult to deal with if you’re not prepared for them and I’m not. », he confides. This is why over the last five years, the artist has decided to promote “ healthier coping mechanisms » while writing nearly 120 songs between Los Angeles and the United Kingdom for his second album I Am.
Twelve pieces officially appear on his album and Tom Walker is ready to sing them at Foufounes Electriques, this Wednesday, just after having “ ate a poutine “. If he had come in January, he probably would have snowboarded down the slopes. This week he won’t be dancing, but if a fan ever brings him a big trampoline, the singer-songwriter will be able to do a backflip.
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Special collaborator
Camille Labelle (Journalist)
