A Chat with Tom Speight (14.09.23)
For almost a decade, singer-songwriter Tom Speight has been dazzling audiences with his moving melodies. Since the beginning, he became a firm favourite of critics and presenters across the globe featuring in notable publications, on radio stations and playlists. From Brazil to the US, the UK to Germany, Speight has performed with award-winning acts like Ed Sheeran and Snow Patrol, but he outshines them as a prolific artist in his own right. We speak to Speight about his new album Love & Light, mental health awareness, superpowers and much more.
OSR: Cliché but what drew you to music? Why did you decide to pursue music as a career?
Speight: I remember getting the now 33 cassette which had so many different artists and all kinds of different genres. Oasis was my first love, ’Live Forever’ teleported me into a different world. I can’t explain why but it did. I don’t think I ever thought I could do music as a career because it’s just simply so hard to make it whatever that means but I remember recording with Keane (they recorded my first set of songs) and thinking maybe this is possible.
OSR: What does music mean to you?
Speight: It means everything. It was my first love and I can’t think without it, I would be lost! It’s been a best friend to me at my lowest and in my darkest times. It’s always the one that pulls me through.
OSR: You recently released your album Love & Light. What can you tell us about it? Does it have a theme or backstory?
Speight: I wanted to dive deeper and explore different themes that are close to home like grief or falling in love – things that are personal but also universal and things that everyone goes through as well. I think this album is the most versatile piece of work I’ve ever done. There’s everything from uplifting and upbeat festival bangers to more ambient, atmospheric songs. It’s got a bit of something for everyone and it doesn’t just settle at one thing which is why I personally think it’s my best record to date, and I also had the most fun recording it.
OSR: What were the best and worst things (for lack of a better word) about making Love & Light?
Speight: No negatives, apart from the vinyl takes ages to produce these days! I had to wait nearly 9 months to release the album. I had the best time in RAK Studios making this record! Honestly, I loved every second.
OSR: What do you hope people take from your album?
Speight: I just hope they connect to the songs. Love, smiling, sadness, whatever feeling I just want it to connect that’s all I ask but to be honest it’s in the listener’s hands now. They decide if they like it or not.
OSR: I read you are a supporter of the suicide charity Campaign Against Living Miserably (CALM). Do you think enough awareness is given to mental health struggles nowadays or is it still a taboo topic?
Speight: I think things are getting better. I’ve always tried to be an open book. I think it’s a healthier way to be! I think a lot of men struggle to talk and that’s super sad and worrying. We need to talk about how we’re feeling.
OSR: You mention that Love & Light is quite a personal album. I always wonder if being so personal in music is a good or bad thing. Do you feel it is beneficial or can criticism have a detrimental effect on yourself? I mean, if someone calls you a coward when looking at the theme of your songs would this influence you emotionally?
Speight: I write for myself! I stopped listening to what people thought about my music. I have a strong enough character and love for music to know what works and doesn’t. It’s far too noisy to listen to everybody plus you can’t please everyone. I focus on my own ears and the people I work with.
OSR: Quick random questions to lighten the tone: if you had a superpower what would it be?
Speight: Time Travel! Kiss goodbye to Ryanair.
OSR: What is your go-to song to dance to when nobody is around?
Speight: ‘Let’s Dance’ – David Bowie! Timeless classic.
OSR: Do you have any future plans as a musician?
Speight: Just to keep making records if I can.
OSR: Do you have a message for our readers?
Speight: Try and enjoy the little things! Life can be beautiful if you let it in.
Many thanks to Tom Speight for speaking with us! Find out more about Tom Speight on his official website, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Spotify.
This artist was discovered via Musosoup #sustainablecurator
