2019 may have just begun, but it is already looking like a landmark year for Glasgow-born musician Tom Walker.
Following the success of his EP, Blessings, the singer-songwriter is currently on tour around Europe ahead of his debut album release in March. And to top it off, he received two BRIT nominations earlier this month for British Breakthrough Artist and British Single.
“It’s a bit surreal to be nominated for two BRIT awards, and it blows my mind that fans are so excited to vote for me and my music. I never thought it would happen, to be honest. It’s a public vote award and there are some amazing artists in the category too, so who knows what will happen.”
Walker made his mark on the UK last year with the hit single Leave A Light On, which reached number seven in the Official UK Charts. This year the song is making a come-back with a nomination for British Single.
“It’s weird that something I wrote to help me has resonated with people all across the world.
“I wrote [Leave a Light On] over two and a half years ago and it was just after a time one of my mates had been through a really tough time, so I wanted to write a song letting my friends and family know that if they’re ever going through a hard time it’s okay and I’m there for them.”
It is no surprise that the 27-year-old is good at making music, with his love for the industry starting at a very young age.
“When I was nine my dad took me to see AC/DC in Paris and seeing Angus Young running around on stage just looked so much fun. After that was when I started the campaign for my dad to buy me my first guitar, which finally happened for Christmas about a year later.”
He followed through on this love at University, studying song-writing at London College of Creative Media.
“I learned so much, and to be able to write songs every day really helped my development as an artist. Some of my tutors were amazing and they really helped me understand writing a lot more, however, there was one I remember saying to me ‘You sound a bit too much like you’. That one still baffles me to be honest!”
Whatever his lecturers may say, his sound definitely seems to work and despite selling out in venues all around the world, the singer is humble as ever. He credits a lot of this success to his team and his fans.
“Before I met my manager I was just another guy with a guitar, driving myself to empty gigs and begging my mates to come along.
“Always make sure the people you have around you have your back. Having a solid team is so vital in this industry.
“[The fans] are what make this all possible, and it still baffles me that we’ve sold out tours all over the world. I still don’t think I’ve made it, I think that moment will happen either if I headline Glastonbury or play a sold-out show at the MEN Arena in Manchester.”
It might not be the Manchester Arena, but he is still excited to be playing at The Barrowlands in Glasgow on April 26.
“I was born in Glasgow so I have a lot of family there that I don’t often get to see, so it’s great to go up and play a next level show with them all there.”
Tom says his favourite thing about being on tour is meeting the fans and hopes to see everyone when he travels the country in April and May.
You can vote for Tom as British Breakthrough Act here.
