Tom Williams, released his new album ‘All Change‘ earlier this year, partly recorded with students while he had an artist residency at Leeds Beckett University.He is set to play a headline show on November 30th at Bush Hall. So we thought it would be an apt opportunity for him to field our 20 Questions:
Hi, how are you today?
I’m well thank you,
What’s the weather like?
I’m in Italy for a week and the skies are blue.
How do most of your songs start life? A piano part? A chord? Or melody?
Normally as a lyric idea, a chorus, title or first line.
Have you ever been starstruck?
Yes, meeting Jen Cloher & Courtney Barnett earlier this month. I can’t really handle meeting people I massively admire, I say stupid things and don’t know what to do with myself!
The Royal Family: should they stay or should they go?
Go.
If you weren’t doing this, what would you like to be?
I wish I was good enough to be a professional footballer, skater or snowboarder… but I’m not.
What’s your favourite book?
Only recently got round to reading Catcher In The Rye last year as I never did it at school, but I really loved it and it made an impression on me.
What were you like at school?
A bit odd; a bit of a loner, awkward, and middle of the road. Invisible too, at times.
What’s the music scene like back home?
In Hastings it’s great, loads of music in pubs and a nice bunch of venues and great record shops especially Music’s Not Dead in Bexhill.
Best gig you’ve played so far?
I loved the headline show we played at The Lexington in London in May, and playing Leeds is always great. We play London again on Nov 30th at Bush Hall, can’t wait for that one.
What’s your favourite single?
I can’t pick… Get It On T-Rex, Satisfaction by The Stones, Witchita Lineman, California Dreaming? Too difficult! Hound Dog!
What do you listen to in your tourvan?
Recently the new Neil Young, ‘Hitchhiker’. Willie J Healey, the new Weather Station album, David Rawlings and the Courtney Barnett Kurt Vile album.
What were your favourite artists growing up?
Always Bruce Springsteen initially and then Eminem, Oasis, and Nirvana…
Who would you want to play you in the film of your life?
Brian Blessed.
Vinyl, CD, Download or stream?
Vinyl.
What’s the best cover version you have ever heard?
There’s a great Ike & Tina version of Come Together live…
Tell us about your recent release?
I released my last album, ‘All Change’ in May, it was recorded by accident at Leeds Beckett University with the students there and it felt like a special album for me and a step forward.
What’s the difference between a Tom Williams solo show, and Tom Williams & The Boat?
With a solo show, I still have a band so it’s not much difference really. It’s a pretty loud rocking show. I try to play stuff from all parts of my career. Boat stuff, solo acoustic stuff and the new full band album. Lots of fun!
Any hopes for 2018?
Would be good to get some more music out there.
What would be your dream collaboration?
The boss obviously…
Tom Williams plays at London’s Bush Hall on 30th November.
Tickets are available HERE
Photo: Nick Ballon
