Louder Than The Music

Spring Harvest let me see live one of the best up and coming bands in the UK, it is of course Tom + Olly and we have had the honor of interviewing themboth. So lets get on with it.

How Long have you been Tom + Olly, tell us a bit of history of the band?

We've been Tom+Olly for the last 2 years, before that we had been in bands together but then decided this was the way forward. We tried to come up with a band name but we're not clever enough.

Tell us a little bit about your debut Album?

It all happend realy quickly, we were blessed enough to have connections with Dan Wheeler who we recorded a few demos with. and out of that he started playing it to his mates and one of them happend to be phill loose from ICC who realy liked what he heard and gave us the oppurtunity to go into the studio and start recording the album.
Back in the day when we started we were always a 2 piece just playing acousticly, but since then our music has realy progressed and this album gave us the chance to show what we can do on a full band scale. With the help of Dan Wheeler, Paul Evans, Mark Prentice, Mark Edwards and Julian kindred we made an album we are realy proud of.

What was the inspiration behind the album?

Its a realy honest album, every song was written about personnal experiences the good and the bad. we didnt want to tame our lyrics we wanted the audience to hear exactly what we were going through on each song. We also wanted to get accross how we've dealt with those situations through our faith in a way that can hopefully relate to the people listening. We see the album as songs of hope rather than dispair.

What's your song writing process?

We dont realy have a set song writing process, it realy varies from song to song. But one thing all the songs have in common is that they probably started out as dodgy off key recording on a mobile phone.

Where is the best gig venue you have played at?

All the venues we have recently just played at spring harvest. it was lovely to have a backstage room where we could get changed instead of using the public toilets lol.

Do you enjoying playing the festivals?

Yeah festivals are the best. the crowds are amazing and everyone is always up for a party.

Any planned gigs this year?

Yeah we are hopefully going to be at most of the major christian festivals this summer, confirmed so far - Alton Towers Ultimate event, Big Church Day Out, New Wine both weeks. plus we will be playing shows around brighton.

Which do you prefer playing Live or recording albums?

we love both because when your recording your always coming up with new ideas and getting realy creative, but live you got the adrenaline pumping and its great to see a crowd realy go for it.

Whats on your I pod at the moment?

Currently listening to our friends "Joey Nightmare"

Your stuck on an island, its hot, you only have enough battery life left to listen to one song on your mp3. What track is it?

"The Circle Of Life" from The Lion King

What does the next year hold for Tom + Olly?

Only one man knows, we are here to serve.


Check out their album review here