Tom Hickox’s unique voice is certainly worth a listen. Accompanied by a broody and dark sound, his tracks make for an atmospheric and cinematic experience. Anyone who takes this much care into the music they make is worth knowing more about. So here’s a quickfire interview with the chap…
How would you describe your sound to those who have not heard it?
Well, my aim was to produce a record that had moments of real musical intimacy but that also had wide, almost cinematic soundscapes, and I hope we’ve achieved that. The common sound that brings it together is my vocal, which I won’t describe for fear of sounding like a giant egotist.
Where do you draw your inspiration from when you write your songs?
People, always people. I’m fascinated by what makes people tick, the quirks and eccentricities of character, the scale of human emotion, the extraordinary situations that people create and find themselves locked into.
When did you realise that music was your calling?
In my teenage years probably. There has never been anything else (having reluctantly abandoned my dreams of playing centre forward for Liverpool).
You’re a reluctant to play live shows. But what has been the reaction from people who watch your shows?
I’m really not reluctant to play live. My aim is to only play shows that will be wonderful and memorable, and I think and hope that we managed that at St Pancras Old Church a fortnight ago. There’ll be plenty more coming up, some exciting plans being hatched.
Who are your musical hero’s, and why?
There are many. Of them all though, Randy Newman, Tom Waits, Bob Dylan and Leonard Cohen are particularly inspirational as masters of marrying storytelling with melody.
Which artists are you currently obsessed with?
Ty Segall & White Fence, Matthew E White.
What do you have planned for the future?
My album will be out in a few months, and the next one is nearly written, so I’ll be getting on with that as soon as possible. I’ve just written my first short film score, and that’s something I’ll be doing more of. As long as I’m making music I believe in, I’ll remain a happy chap.
Follow Tom Hickox on Facebook here.