Fresh off the back of a string of shows throughout the UK, Manchester-born but London-based singer and songwriter Tom Sail has been hard at work preparing us for the release of his highly-anticipated debut album later this year, and recently returned with his latest single Hold Me Closer.
Following in the footsteps of The War On Drugs, this bold and driven new offering sets Tom as one of the more storytelling-based artists working today. With its strong and pulsing nature, we are more than excited to hear what he has in store for us in the months to come.
So with so much new music on his horizon, we sat down with the frontman to find out more about his plans and where he sees himself in the near future.
Hi Tom, how are you today?
I’m great thanks. For some isolation inspo, I’ve moved my living room around, it feels like I’m on holiday. Top Feng Shui tip is to get loads of plants, face the chairs away from the TV and pretend you live in an ikea catalogue.
For those that aren’t familiar with your music, how would you best describe your sound?
It’s melodic and catchy, but with a retro feel. You can sing along yet is awash with delayed guitars and dream pop drum beats.
And what artists have influenced you the most over the years?
I’m a big fan of the classic songwriters: The Beatles, Bob Dylan, Otis Redding, Oasis, Bruce Springsteen and I really like modern bands like The National & The War On Drugs who have that progressive, brooding sound. I’m a big lover of soul music too which tends to find its way into my songs. Sam Cooke is my absolute hero.
You have just released your latest single ‘Hold Me Closer’. Can you tell us a little bit about how that track came about?
The verse of the song was actually a chorus I wrote for another artist in 2016 and was about 5 tones higher. They never used it so I took it back and finished it some years later. As with all great pop songs, it’s a heartbreak song about being with someone who is messing you about. It’s either “hold me closer” or get lost “if that’s what you want to do.” Make your mind up.
And are you planning to make it part of a larger release, such as an EP or album, in the months to come?
This is my 3rd single and I will be releasing my debut album later on this year – around September. There’s two more singles after this one ready to release. The album has been recorded at RAK studios with the very talented producer Will Purton. I can’t wait for you to hear it.
Aside from the new music, what other plans have you got in store for 2020?
I will probably move the living room round a few more times to keep me entertained during lockdown. Also lots of writing. I have some big gigs planned, which I can’t announce yet until I know if they are cancelled or not. There’s one in South London in July (fingers crossed) and two more in October. I started recording album number 2 before all this started so I’m looking forward to finishing that.
And finally, if you weren’t a musician, what career path do you think you would have chosen?
I used to work in TV so I would probably still be doing that. I make a cracking cup of tea.
Tom Sail’s new single Hold Me Closer is available to stream and download now, with his debut album arriving in September. Have a listen to the new release below.
