From open mics to the international music scene
Tom Baker
Tom’s been part of the Plymouth music scene since he was knee-high to a grasshopper.
Like plenty of young musicians, he started out at open mic nights, finding his feet, meeting other musicians and discovering where music might take him.
“For me, having that platform when I was younger definitely helped me with my confidence,” says the Plympton singer-songwriter.
“It helped me become the musician and vocalist that I kind of dreamed of being when I was younger.”
And that early start in Plymouth has taken him rather further than he might have imagined.
Tom began writing and recording his own material, before moving into the wider songwriting world.
He found himself working with producers in London and internationally, and says his writing has included work associated with artists including Rita Ora, Deadmau5 and Gorgon City.
There were record deals along the way, too. But for Tom, one moment stands out above the rest.
“I think when I was 12, 13, 14 years old, releasing on a record label was one of my aspirations,” he says. “When I achieved that, I almost kind of didn't believe it.”
Then came the realisation. “Oh wow. This has actually happened.”
It's a fantastic reminder that behind the credits, the releases and the years of hard work is that same teenager who simply had a dream of making music.
Finding your way in Plymouth
Tom reckons Plymouth still has plenty to offer musicians. There are pubs, clubs, festivals and open mic nights, while the rock, punk and metal scene around Mutley Plain and the Underground continues to thrive.
But he also sees a gap. Several venues have disappeared over the years, and Tom would like to see more places where younger musicians can make the jump from open mic nights to performing their own original material.
“I think there needs to be that in-between venue to support your own original material,” he says.
It's a challenge, but it's certainly not a reason for Tom to put down his guitar. Quite the opposite.
After 16 years as a musician, Tom has finally found himself in the band era. He's now part of two very different outfits.
The Urban Party Project is a nine-piece band bringing together funk, soul, R&B, pop and rock, complete with a horn section and co-lead vocalist Reshmi Khimji.
And then there's Southern Tennessee, a brand-new seven-piece country band just starting out on the circuit.
Tom is also quick to point out the importance of having somewhere to ‘come home’ to when he needs to recharge the batteries. For him that’s the Royal British Legion in Plympton.
“There are certain places we all need to go to unwind and clear our minds. When I’m not performing music, The Royal British Legion is that place for me,” he tells us.
“We play pool, we shoot darts, we drink and socialise. It’s such a friendly, welcoming place and a ‘safe four walls’ for me. So a big thanks to Shaun Rowse and his team.”
So what's next for Tom?
“The future's bright, future's orange,” he says with a grin.
We met up with Tom at the Royal British Legion in Plympton to talk about his musical journey, the Plymouth scene and his plans for the future.
You can watch the video below - and make sure you stay right to the end when Tom picks up his guitar to give us a taste of his new country venture, Southern Tennessee.
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