In London-based singer-songwriter Tom Speight’s latest release “The One,” he blends his heart-wrenching lyricism with a powerful delivery that expertly conveys the pain of losing a loved one. We had the pleasure of interviewing Tom Speight, and here’s what he had to say:
Q: “The One,” tells a heartbreaking story about the pain caused by a lover leaving/moving on with relatable emotively-charged lyrics. What was your songwriting process for this song?
SPEIGHT: “The One” is definitely the most confident pop song I’ve released so far. It was inspired by a few things! The thing I’m most proud of is that it deals with an unfortunate subject with the backdrop of a strong delivery… so it never feels weak or vulnerable! Sometimes when you’re dealing with a breakup, you need to find that inner strength & I think “The One” does that.
Q: I like the way the scenery kept changing in the video while you held onto the rotary dial phone until you eventually let it go at the end. What inspired this video? And what did you enjoy most about making it?
SPEIGHT: The video was inspired by the fact that I like to pace while on the phone! For some reason, I can’t seem to stand still. The video director got wind of this & just ran with the idea. It’s my favourite video to date, plus we had a lot of fun making it.
Q: Who are your biggest musical influences? Why?
SPEIGHT: I’m a big big fan of classic songwriters… The Beatles would probably be my number one, but my heart also would choose Oasis, followed by Simon & Garfunkel, Bob Dylan & David Gray. I just love a well-written song.
Q: What is your favorite aspect about being a musician and your least favorite?
SPEIGHT: My favourite aspect is 100% playing live; nothing beats the feeling of the crowd singing the songs back to you. The worst thing about the job is probably social media, but I also see it as a blessing as I can reach my audience within seconds. Without the internet, I would never have reached Brazil & have a decent following over there.
Q: What are you currently working on?
SPEIGHT: My third album is all done. I’m just waiting for it to be released & we’re going to be touring in October. I’m hoping for it to be my busiest year so far. I can’t wait to share the record with everyone.
Q: What advice would you give to would-be artists wanting to follow in your footsteps?
SPEIGHT: Work hard! never give up & always listen to your gut feeling. You also need a lot of luck! One more thing… surround yourself with good people! That means your manager, your band, and your label!! You can’t be just a one-man band. You need your avengers.
Interviewed by Zoey King
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