Tom Walker talks achieving fame, life on the road and Ed Sheeran comparisons
The Scottish singer-songwriter spoke to Fabulous over a game of darts at The Flight Club in London
HI, Tom, do you like darts?
Yeah, this is why I got into music – to do photo shoots like this! [laughs] I’m going back to Manchester to play my new album to my parents for the first time, otherwise I’d stay for another game.
The overnight success of your 2017 track Leave A Light On about your friend’s battle with addiction was insane. How did you find that time?
Crazy. I know people have covered addiction before, but it’s a challenging one.
I didn’t realise it was such a big issue till I released that song.
Mental health is a positive thing to talk about, isn’t it? I had so many messages that I got the Samaritans to help [Tom referred people to the charity and then started working with them to raise awareness].
You’ve been compared to Rag’n’Bone Man and Ed Sheeran – are you pleased about that?
Sure. I also think it’s nice that people are breaking into the industry who aren’t conventionally beautiful. I feel like the game is changing for the better.
You must also get invited to loads of industry parties now…
I avoid them. If I want to go out and get f**ked I’m not going to do it with my music peers, know what I mean? I’d rather hang out with my mates.
Do you ever get nervous meeting celebrities?
I wasn’t sure what to expect when I toured with Danny from The Script, but he is so nice. Anyone I’ve met who is a bit further on in the industry than me has been so great.
What’s the best piece of advice you’ve been given?
I met George Ezra at a New Year’s Eve party after I got signed and he just said: “It’s nice to be nice.” What goes around comes around.
You’re just back from the US tour and about to release your debut album. Life sounds busy!
It’s interviews all day, bed, get up five hours later, gig, bed. But I’m so excited. Each song is a little snippet of my life – and I got to work with Rudimental!
What do your parents make of all this?
They came to a festival where I thought I’d just walk into the crowd after the show.
I changed my jacket but everybody was stopping me for pictures and my parents were like: “Whoa!” But no one troubles me in my local Tesco.
BTW
- >Tom’s album cover is his face, made up of tiny little figures of every person who has supported him over the years.
- He drank half pints of beer – he was taking it easy because he was going out with his dad the following night.
- He arrived with cupcakes for the team. Bless!
Let’s throw-back five years – what were you doing?
I was living in London and had no money. I was a part- time chef. I can cook you the best steak you’ve ever had.
But now you can afford to go out for steak, because you’re rich, right?
No! You get a fee every time your song is played, but it takes ages.
But I’m cool – I can afford to go out with my mates without worrying, which is all I wanted. I did splash out on a 1964 Fender Jaguar guitar in LA.
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What are you most excited about?
Whatever happens with this album, I’ve done absolutely everything to make sure it’s the best it can be and I’m so f**king proud of it.
Nothing will take that away from me. I do think it’s banging though!
- Tom’s album What A Time To Be Alive is out on October 19.
- Thanks to Flightclub Bloomsbury ()