British duo Tom & Olly built up a strong underground following with their self-titled debut album in 2009. Now their unique blend of hip-hop, acoustic and pop returns in the shape of second album 'Spirals', due out this month. LTTM spoke to the boys to find out more.
You're currently working on your new album, how is that progressing and what is the inspiration behind it?
Yeah it's all coming along really well. We've finished recording all the songs, we are just waiting for the clever people in the studio to mix it. The album is called 'Spirals', it's referring to the... Read MoreBritish duo Tom & Olly built up a strong underground following with their self-titled debut album in 2009. Now their unique blend of hip-hop, acoustic and pop returns in the shape of second album 'Spirals', due out this month. LTTM spoke to the boys to find out more.
You're currently working on your new album, how is that progressing and what is the inspiration behind it?
Yeah it's all coming along really well. We've finished recording all the songs, we are just waiting for the clever people in the studio to mix it. The album is called 'Spirals', it's referring to the 'ups and downs' that we have been through over the past 2 years. Every song tells a story, from the highs of romance, to the lows of death. We were adamant to make sure that every emotion we felt was poured into all the songs, not leaving anything censored or watered down.
Who have you been working with on the album?
The album is being produced by the genius that is Dan Wheeler. We've been privileged enough to work with him since we started. The whole recording experience has been completely different to the first album. In the past 2 years we have learnt a lot and met an insane bunch of musicians/people who we really wanted to work with us on 'Spirals'. Benji Talent on drums, Mike Kerr on piano, Dave Harding on creative control, Mark Prentice on Bass, Dan Wheeler on Electrics, Mark Edwards on organs/sounds, Lucy on Cello, Weeksie on Horns. With guest vocals from Tom's cousin Ben Moscrop and the only Irish man I know Lee Mitchell.
Which is your favourite track on the new album and why?
It would have to be the title song 'Spirals'. It's completely different to any other song we've written before. The song is just piano and vocals, its the most simple yet profound song we feel we've ever written. It's a haunting tale of despair, danger and hope.
If you could work with any song writer, who would it be and why?
I think we both agree it would have to be Chris Martin, he seems to be able to create the most incredible vivid imagery through the most simple and beautiful melodies. I know the man has his critics, but we think he is a genius and would quite happily give an arm and a leg to spend an afternoon with him writing songs, actually maybe just a leg, 'cos hands are pretty important.
What has been your career highlight so far?
There has definitely been loads of amazing moments that we won't forget. But it would probably have to be the show we played at Campfest in Slovakia last summer. We heard loads of good things about the festival from the boys in Dweeb and it definitely lived up to its reputation. Not only did we get to play to thousands of mental Slovakians, the country was absolutely beautiful. We got to chill out in the mountains for a few days, go bear spotting and play some football against the locals. We won.
How would you describe your style of music and what are your influences?
It's always been hard to say exactly how our music sounds as every song we write comes from a different place. In some ways we are happy to roam freely between genres as it gives us a freedom to write what we want. If we were forced to label it, I guess we would have to say it's pop music. As our goal is to write music that everyone can be a part of. Musically we are influenced by so many artists. When we started work on this album we listened to a lot of Beach Boys, Coldplay, Jay Z, and the Kooks to name a few.
In your opinion, what makes the perfect song?
It has to be real, it has to take you to another world for the 3 minutes it's on. You want to feel as though the song writer had you in mind when he wrote it. The best songs are the ones that you can relate to different times in your life, a moment, a memory a person or a feeling. A song that no matter how hard you try will never leave your head.
What advice would you give to any aspiring bands or singers out there?
From personal experience, you always have to be ready to push yourself further than you thought you could go. There will be lots of people out there telling you what and how you should be doing it, but don't let them blur your vision as it's only you who knows what's in your heart.
You're stuck on an island, it's hot, you only have enough battery life left to listen to one song on your mp3 player. What track is it?
We thought we should answer this question separately.
Tom - 'Will You Be There' by Michael Jackson, this song would be enough to inspire me to swim home or live with Free Willy amongst the whales.
Olly - 'The Book of Love' by Peter Gabriel, it's a bit soppy, but my brother showed me the song a few months before my wedding and I had it as my first dance. The song blows my mind every time I listen to it.
What does the next year hold for Tom & Olly?
We're really excited to get the new album out and see what the world thinks of it. We hope they like it as much as we do. We are going to be pushing it as much as possible, so expect to see music videos, TV appearances and firework displays. We plan to be playing every where and anywhere so we'll probably be coming to a town near you soon. So keep your eyes open and your hearts ready.
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