Fast-rising Sunderland artist Tom A. Smith announces sophomore EP 'EP2' alongside new single 'Never Good Enough', out July 8th
After releasing his explosive single ‘Could I Live With Being Fake’ earlier this year, which was named BBC Introducing Track Of The Week on BBC Radio 1 (July 1st) and supported by Sir Elton John on his Rocket Hour show, not to mention having been selected by Elton to perform at his British Summer Time show at Hyde Park, appearances at Glastonbury, Barn On The Farm and the F1 British Grand Prix at Silverstone this past month and praised by the likes of DORK, WONDERLAND, Official Charts, Louder Than War, Songwriting Magazine, Rolling Stone India's 'Hits of Tomorrow', This Feeling and many more, 18yo fast-rising Sunderland artist Tom A. Smith has now confirmed the details behind his sophomore collection ‘EP2’, alongside the release of his latest offering ‘Never Good Enough’.
Following on from the release of his debut ‘EP1’ last year, ‘EP2’ (out August 5th) sees the frontman return with Larry Hibbitt on production duties, and continues his broad and inventive approach to the indie-rock sound. After a whirlwind of praise under his belt already, the new single ‘never good enough’ looks to bring another heady dose of roaring power to his powerful repertoire to date and features Alex White from Fat White Family on Saxophone and James Keller from Eliza & the Bear on backing vocals. ‘Never Good Enough’ was selected as BBC Radio 1’s Next Wave on The Indie Show on July 7th.
Throughout the last year, Tom A. Smith has cemented himself as one of the more progressive and passionate artists working right now, and ‘never good enough’ is another perfect example of his already maturing direction. Brimming with rich and vibrant textures throughout, he is quickly setting himself up as a brilliantly captivating name bringing something fresh and adventurous to the scene.
Speaking about the new EP, he said, “I think EP2 is a really nice progression from EP1. I’m really proud of all the tracks and already know Toronto will become a fan favourite as it goes down so well live. The lyrics to Man Overboard are my best work so far in my opinion, I love how it skips along, producer Larry described it as crying at the disco. We love putting a homemade demo at the end of every EP and If I Was just works so well. The last verse has a reference to Elton John, I didn’t realise he’d become a fan of my work when I wrote it.”
While adding about ‘never good enough’, “Never Good Enough was our final pick when we were deciding which songs to record and wasn’t thought of as a potential single. As soon as it went into the studio it became this monster especially when the saxophone appeared on it. So grateful to Alex from Fat White Family for recreating my vision on the Sax. It’s arguably my favourite song now.”
Having already played a ton of gigs since the release of his debut single 'Wolves' last year, including supporting Courteeners, Miles Kane, Martha Hill, Vistas, Blondes, The Pale White, Eliza and The Bear, Gang of Youths, and Sunset Sons, as well as shows at The Great Escape and Neighbourhood Weekender, Tom A. Smith has also announced a string of live dates for the forthcoming year. See his full list of live performances below.
Tom A. Smith Live Dates:
July
23 - Little Lindi Festival at County Durham
30 - Belladrum Festival
August
6 - Bingley Weekender Festival
12 - 110 Above Festival
25 - August Leeds Festival
Despite still being a teenager, Sunderland-based newcomer Tom A. Smith has already achieved more than most artists do in a lifetime. He played his first ever gig aged just eight, supporting local psychedelic rockers Detroit Social Club at legendary Newcastle venue The Cluny, performed at Glastonbury before he was even in secondary school, and Tim Burgess handpicked him to play his stage at Kendal Calling, making him the festival’s youngest ever performer. He has played live with local hero Sam Fender and Catfish & The Bottlemen, as well as supported other Northern acts on the rise like The Lathums and The Mysterines.
Tom A. Smith’s self-uploaded performances have won him fans amongst rock and roll royalty. The week David Bowie passed, Bowie’s widow Iman shared Smith’s cover of Bowie’s Lazarus online, commenting on the emotional impact of Smith’s rendition. Blossoms recognised him from one of his videos as he was watching them from the crowd and invited him backstage, while Morrissey - not a man known to lavish praise or endorsements on others - played Smith’s cover of Please Please Please Let Me Get What I Want as his walk on music on a recent US tour. Nile Rogers, James frontman Tim Booth, indie legends The Coral, and many more besides have shared footage of his performances across the globe.
“It’s never normal. Every single time it happens it’s surreal,” reflects Smith on the countless pinch-me moments of his career so far. “Music is always what I wanted to do. I just fell in love with it. I asked for guitar lessons when I was four. It’s all I’ve ever known.”
Having achieved so much so soon you might think Smith would be content to rest on his laurels a bit. Been there, done that sort of thing; fire up the PS4 and tell your mates about that time you played Glastonbury. All his achievements so far have done though is to stoke Smith’s creative fire and make him want to achieve more as an artist, a performer and a songwriter.
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