PREMIERE: Tommy Brown - Carousouls (Album) + 10 Questions

‘Carousouls’ is the second album from Tommy Brown and takes us on a tour of extreme musical proportion. Teaming up once again with the stellar production of DiamondBack Kid, the result is an emotionally-driven head-bopping cascade of drums, keys, guitars and trumpets all packed with a raw authenticity that we have come to expect from his work.

Tommy sat down with Wordplay Magazine to answer our infamous 10 questions:

1. So tell me, how did it all begin? What sparked your love for music?

Well, I’ve been writing stories for as long as I can remember. So, I guess that’s where the poet in me came from. When I was younger I used to create these extraordinary situations where unassuming characters became the hero. There was this one I remember where I made up a world full of marshmallows and they were all on some secret mission to save the world. The world still needs saving so I might see where they’re at actually. Anyway, when I got to university I really fell in love with Hip Hop. Me and my closest mate would skip lectures listening to anything we could get our hands on. I remember finding Biggie and I swear my life changed. The way he was able to spit that vivid imagery with the dopest rhymes was just totally captivating. I wanted to learn how to convey that level of energy in what I was writing and I already played guitar a bit so I just started writing lyrics to fit over simple chord progressions and that led to where we are now.

2. Who are some artists that influence you and that you want to work with in the future?

Loyle Carner has been a long time favourite of mine. It’s funny how inspiration strikes whenever, you know. As I was writing bars for ‘Carousouls’ last year I remember penning a couple and thinking there and then that it was sounding a bit like Frankie Stew & Harvey Gunn and at the time I was bumping their new stuff. Check out ‘God Frequencies’ and you might see what I mean. Away from hip hop I take so much from the wonky sounds of artists like Khruangbin, Mac Demarco and Tame Impala and I think these psychedelic rock influences can be heard throughout the album. The list goes on though, I mean Kate Tempest, The Streets, Cult of the Damned and Kojey Radical are a few that have definitely had the biggest impacts on me as an artist in the last few years. Who knows what the future holds in terms of collabs but I’m open-minded to anything.

3. What are some of the problems you have faced making and releasing the music during the corona virus pandemic?

I think it goes without saying that live shows are the biggest thing we all miss as music fans and we’ve had to adapt as artists too. I wanted to be touring when this album was ready but I’ll be making the most of live streams instead. Obviously, meeting up for jams to come up with ideas and that in person has been made more challenging. Luckily, when I write I generally do it in isolation anyway so actually there’s been blessings in disguise over the last year or so.

4. How would you describe your sound?

Thanks to the amazing team of people I’ve got around me we get influences from all sorts of places and this really has a big impact on the sounds we create. Me and my producer Diamondback Kid are both big fans of Hip Hop so naturally our sound follows a pattern we are used to seeing - normally DBK will start with drums and we build it up around that - but I think what separates our sound from the norm is we do have these strong influences from a range of genres injecting these mad different vibes. That’s why there’s a lot of jazz, soul and we’ve even got room for rock and reggae flavours in there too. I want to make the kind of music that makes people bop their heads and shake their legs but also provides room for the listener to really engage with the lyrical content. Ultimately I'm keen to avoid putting my sound in a box because it should be free to take whatever form it needs at the time. The next project for us will be under the name ‘South Coast Ghosts’ - which is a collective bringing together local artists - and it’s is just becoming an absolute beast with everyone’s ideas so watch out for that.

5. What's your proudest moment to date so far as an artist?

Last year just before the first lockdown came into effect I was fortunate enough to put on an EP launch for my Hatchback EP. This night was for me defining because not only did we pack out Coastguard Studio with friends and family making the journey down to Portsmouth but we put on a night to remember just before nobody could go to another gig for a while. So much had gone into rehearsals and seeing my Mum and Dad beaming the whole night - both on door duty actually but I could see their faces through the crowd - and my brother and sister and closest mates vibing to our tunes as well - best feeling in the world. I can’t wait to get back out there and show them the levels again.

Carosouls is out now on all major streaming platforms.

6. Do you have any advice for our readers who may be trying to play the mad game of music?

Just do it! Whatever that idea is that you’ve got, even if it feels weird or whatever, run with it. Knock on doors and study your craft so that when opportunity comes knocking you are ready to strike at the heart. Don’t take it too serious though and enjoy every moment because it’s all part of it. I think also it’s really important to focus on making your fanbase aware that they are part of the journey as well because while it’s true we make art to express ourselves, ultimately it is the shared human experience we are tapping into as artists and in times of isolation I think community is probably more important than ever.

7. Are there any artists on your radar at the moment that we should check out?

Lately I’ve been plugged into the UK Hip Hop scene and artists like Verbz and Mr Slipz have been killing it with that old school boom bap. I’m a big fan of Lord Apex - so dope - also I can't believe I only got onto LAUSEE THE CAT a couple of months ago, he’s sick. Clbrks has got a unique sound and his bars are ridiculous. Eerf Evil is doing some boss shit at the moment.. I gotta shout out my local Portsmouth artists as well cos I take inspiration from how they're helping to put our city on the map.

8. What albums are on heavy rotation on your Spotify playlist currently?

In no particular order; Radio Waves by Verbz and Mr Slipz. The Silhouettes Project. Microwave Cooking 2000 by Clbrks and Morriarchi.

9. What do you like to do when you're not making music?

I’m actually a Secondary school Maths teacher and this takes up a lot of time during the week - holidays are a blessing though and I feel extremely grateful for the position I’m in. Aside from that, just chilling out really. I’ve released an inner chess demon after watching the Queen’s Gambit recently and continue trying to pattern my game on the Chess app. Challenging anyone to a game!

10. Name Three things you can't live without when in the studio?

A clear vision, good vibes and a tinny.