Ahead of the April 6 release of Dream City, we asked singer-songwriter Tom Lumley to take on our A-Z challenge!
A song that made you want to make music?
There’s literally so many but i’d have to go with Bonfire by Saint Raymond.
Best rider you’ve ever had?
When I supported Coasts on there UK tour the rider was pretty sick… there was lots of beer haha.
Craziest moment you’ve experienced in the band?
To be honest with you having the chance to play with festivals and shows alongside some of my favourite artists which I have grown up seeing live is the craziest thing for me.
Deepest lyric one of your songs features?
‘Fucked with my mind’ In ‘Dream City’. I think this word just brings the anger out of me that I felt when writing the song.
Easiest song you wrote?
‘Done My Time’! I’ll never understand how but it physically poured out of me on to the piece of paper in around 10 minutes.
Favourite song in your set?
I’d have to go with ‘Running From Our Lives’ simply because to the musical rock out part towards the end of the song is so fun to play.
Guest you’d most like to feature on your record?
This is a hard one, there’s so many. I think i’d have to go with Van from Catfish and The Bottlemen.
Hardest thing about being in a band?
Having to drive the equipment home after gigs preventing you from having a beer when all your pals are! 🙁
Interesting fact about one of your members?
I grew up in Spain from the ages of 5 to 18. It’s a long story but my parents decided to move there when I didn’t know too much about it… I’ll never be able to thank them enough for the life I had out there.
Jokes you have in the band?
Every joke tends to fall on me! All the guys just seem to love taking the piss out of me.
Key to writing a song?
Persist with it. If at first you can’t find the write vocal melody don’t give up, take 5 and come back to it. I’ve often left songs a few days which I didn’t think i’d finish and then gone back to.
Longest distance you’ve travelled to play a show?
I guess it’ll have to be Australia considering it’s the other side of the world. I had the pleasure of going over there the back end of last year and playing a couple of shows in Sydney.
Most inspiring musician you’ve experienced?
Again i’d have to give this to Van. The guy is so passionate and you can tell he loves what he does.
New band you’d recommend?
I’ll have to go with some local boys and say go check out Hollowstar.
Opening for this band would be ideal?
Arctic Monkeys, I think supporting them would put a permanent smile on my face.
Place you’d most like to tour?
I want to get out around Europe. I travel a lot sightseeing myself and there’s something quite amazing about Europe.
Quote you’d like to pass on to our readers?
Not a clue with this one.
Reason for the title of your forthcoming release?
It’s taken from the name of the single ‘Dream City’. I chose it as that song means a lot to me and represented something huge to me that happened over the last couple of years.
See us live at?
Any of the gigs below on our UK Tour!
April
2nd – Liverpool – Studio 2
6th – Hertford – The Dog and Whistle
7th – Sheffield – The RS Bar
8th – Leeds – Verve
12th – London – The Monarch
14th – Cambridge – Junction
22nd – Reading – Pavlov’s Dog
29th – Leicester – Pi Bar
The old days of music were better than the current, do you agree?
I don’t to be honest. I feel like the x factor and the mainstream side of things did take over for a while but I think real music is really starting to fight back. There’s a lot more youngsters going to indie/rock gigs and following their local bands this year than in recent.
Unusual merchandise?
I want some Tom Lumley festival wristbands or my own beer with my face on the bottle haha!
Variations you’d like to do on any of your songs?
Some nice upbeat Chase and Status style drum and bass would be cool.
What do your fans mean to you?
They mean everything. Without them promoters wouldn’t book us, we wouldn’t earn money from merch to fund everything we do and making the music.
X-rays or any other treatments needed for band related injuries?
Not yet but I think our drummer Jonny will probably be the first.
You’re late for a show, whose fault is it?
Traffic! We’re in the UK, we can always belame the traffic… even if there wasn’t any.
Zoo animal that best describes the personality of your band?
Shark, fast and exciting!