Fast-rising Sunderland artist Tom A. Smith delivers 'EP2' alongside the soaring new single 'Man Overboard' on August 5th
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PRAISE FOR TOM A. SMITH
“We love this guy, former Next Wave artist out here on Future Artists, his name is Tom A Smith. Young boy who is writing lyrics far beyond his age, and is just an impeccable songwriter to go alongside that, that’s really all that needs to be said, this guy can write a tune, and this one is no different, stepping up once again here on Future Artists, sounding far from out of place, Tom A Smith and Never Good Enough." – JACK SAUNDERS (BBC RADIO 1)
"I think he is going to be a big star". – SIR ELTON JOHN
New Bangers Playlist – ‘Never Good Enough’ – NME
“When most of us get to 18, we’re only just getting ready to start on life ‘proper’. Not Tom A Smith – he’s been playing gigs since he was knee-high to a bassist, and it shows.” – DORK
“There's an age-old rule about working for 10,000 hours before you truly master something.
Now, we can't verify if that's true or not, but prodigal songwriter Tom A. Smith must surely have clocked up 10,000 hours before he was even in his teens.” – CLASH
"A restless rocky anthem to freedom from the Sunderland teenager who penned more than 150 songs during lockdown." THE TIMES (Best New Tracks, ‘Dragonfly’)
"While he may be in the primary stages of his career, it is fair to say that Smith's irresistible blend of visual mastery and explosive sound make him one to watch. " – WONDERLAND
"an outstanding debut EP and only 17 years of age got a huge future this lad" – THIS FEELING
"Sunderland’s Tom A. Smith is on one hell of a roll with his early singles, and this is no exception. Even Sir Elton John has proclaimed him a future star, so who are we to argue? Another bright and breezy indie banger." – M MAGAZINE
"The young Mackem has had a great start to 2022 with a hit rate former Sunderland striker Kevin Phillips would have been proud of with the unveiling of his explosive new single, Could I Live With Being Fake. Picking up straight where he left off with his debut, the single continues his pursuit of bright and anthemic indie-rock textures. With raw and distinctive, his voice riding a bed of uplifting guitar hooks and thunderous drums." – LOUDER THAN WAR
– Don’t look over your shoulder, but the next big songwriter is coming" – FAR OUT MAGAZINE
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After enormous support from the likes of BBC Radio 1 (Track of the Week – Could I Live With Being Fake and Next Wave & Future Artist support for ‘Never Good Enough’), BBC 6 Music, Absolute Radio, Radio X, Triple J, Spotify, Apple, Deezer, NME, DORK, WONDERLAND, Official Charts, Louder Than War, Songwriting Magazine, Rolling Stone India's 'Hits of Tomorrow', This Feeling and many more in recent months, 18yo fast-rising Sunderland artist Tom A. Smith has now unveiled his eagerly-awaited new collection ‘EP2’, alongside the soaring new single ‘Man Overboard’.
Following on from the release of his debut ‘EP1’ last year, his next collection ‘EP2’ sees the frontman return with Larry Hibbitt (The Snuts, Sea Girls, Lauran Hibberd) on production duties, and continues his broad and inventive approach to the indie-rock sound. Featuring the previous shared cuts ‘Could I Live With Being Fake’ and ‘Never Good Enough’, and following a whirlwind of incredible live performances including being selected by Elton John to join him at his British Summer Time show at Hyde Park, appearances at Glastonbury, Barn On The Farm, and the F1 British Grand Prix at Silverstone, his newest release is set to become his most high-profile to date.
Speaking about ‘EP2’, he said, “EP2 is a real progression lyrically for me and I'm so pleased with how it's turned out. All of the tracks I recorded with Larry are true to the original demos I recorded in my bedroom and for good measure we added a home recording of a lovely little acoustic song that's a favourite of mine. So happy with how it's turned out".
Showcased by the new offering ‘Man Overboard’, he continues to shine as one of the UK’s most exciting new talents. Offering up another bold and heady dose of shimmering aesthetics and atmospheric songwriting, his newest gem harks back to the relatable struggles we all suffered during the pandemic and how resilience has kept us all moving forward.
Adding about ‘Man Overboard’, "Man Overboard has without a doubt the best lyrics I've ever written. I struggled at the beginning of lockdown and it was songwriting and sending home recordings to my management that kept me focused. The first line summed up my mental health at the time (I put a brave face on it, I put on a front, but even the sharpest tools I have are feeling blunt). From start to finish I'm proud of the lyrics in that song".
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 remains on the road for the month ahead. See his full list of live performances below.
Tom A. Smith Live Dates:
August
6 - Bingley Weekender Festival
12 - 110 Above Festival
25 - August Leeds Festival
Sept
24th Sept - Gathering Sounds Festival
30th Sept - Middlesbrough Empire – supporting The Lathums
October
1st Oct - Neighbourhood Festival
8th Oct - Tenement Trail
15th Oct - Live at Leeds
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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