Since bursting onto the scene after featuring on Chase & Status’ track ‘All Goes Wrong’, there’s no denying that Bedford-born Tom Grennan has been in high demand. From making the longlist for BBC Sound of 2017 to being tipped by practically every ‘ones to watch’ list in 2018, not many musicians can boast such levels of recognition just four years into their career.
With 2018 shaping up to be his biggest year yet, I belled Tom the day after the NME Awards to chat about his debut album, upcoming UK tour and how he creates the music that keeps leaving everyone wanting more.
How do, Tom?
I’m doing alright thanks. I’m a bit hungover though…
Did the NME Awards have something to do with that?
Yeah, but it was a wicked night. I got to meet Kasabian and loads of other interesting people – it was good fun.
And Liam Gallagher…
He won Godlike Genius, that’s the one. I thought his new album and his performance last night was wicked. He played some Oasis hits as well as some of his new stuff – I loved it.
It looks like 2018 is shaping up to be a very big year for you. You’ve got your debut album and a sold out UK tour coming up. How are you feeling about the year ahead?
I’m very excited – just excited to get the album out, excited to go on tour, play all the new songs and of course the big London show will be great. I’m just ready to gig and get out there as much as I can this year.
So, the debut album – what was it like writing it?
You know, some people told me before I started writing it that writing a debut album is one of the hardest processes and it gets very stressful and stuff like that. But for me, luckily, I enjoyed it so much and in the end it wasn’t stressful – it was all very organic. I think in the space of like eight weeks I had this moment where my head and my brain were feeling creative and I managed to get out everything I needed to say, everything that I was bottling up, and I just put it into this album, which is a collection of 12 songs. It’s all about what’s happened to me and my experiences. So yeah, it was natural, organic and felt good to write.
There’s a couple of tracks on the album that are yet to reach our ears. Are there any in particular that you’re looking forward to fans hearing?
Yeah, I’m really looking forward to people hearing Run In The Rain, and there’s a song called Aboard which I’m excited to get out there. Also, the song Little By Little Love is the last track on the album which I think is gonna shock a lot of people with the route I’ve gone down.
Everyone I know who is a fan of your music, including myself, always comment on how catchy and anthemic your sound is. Is there a special formula behind writing bangers?
I wouldn’t say it comes naturally, but then I wouldn’t say I put a formula to it either. I kind of just like, let it happen. I just try and get lost in the world of writing a song, do you know what I mean? Whether it’s good or bad, I kind of just go on a journey with what I’m writing. Maybe that’s my formula – getting lost in the song and wherever it goes and wherever it takes me.
Does being something of a buzz artist add a bit of pressure?
It motivated me more I think. Like, I’m quite a competitive person so I wanna show people that they made the right decision in believing in me. All of it has definitely motivated me. Like I don’t want people to come away after hearing the album and think ‘actually, that’s a bit shit’ and the build-up not be justified.
You’ve also got some festivals lined up for the summer, including TRNSMT Festival where you’re you’ll be on the main stage with our Sheff’s own Arctic Monkeys…
Man, they’re my favourite band. Alex Turner is my hero. I actually have a story about Alex Turner where I like bumped into him in a toilet at another festival when I was with Chase & Status and I like bricked myself, just bottled it completely and couldn’t speak to him. I’m never like that with anyone apart from footballers.. But to be sharing the stage with him on my own, you know, as Tom Grennan, is definitely going to be a pinch yourself moment. When I was in America I had dinner with Matt, the drummer from Arctic Monkeys, and we were with one of the guys from Milburn and I was just saying to them how it’s crazy for me to be anywhere near the Arctic Monkeys.
To continue the Sheffield theme, I remember the first time I saw you live you were supporting Reverend and the Makers on their acoustic tour and it’s safe to say since you started out your career has skyrocketed. What would you say is the biggest thing you’ve learnt so far about being a musician and being in the music industry?
I’ve learnt not to take it all too seriously and to have fun with it. You also need to keep believing in what you’re creating. I’m the luckiest boy to be doing what I’m doing and to be in the position that I’m in, and I never take it for granted really. I’d say that’s my motto for all of it.
Have you got anything planned for the back-end of the year?
I’ll probably start writing again and to be honest I don’t think I’ll have a break now for two or three years. I know for a fact that I will be writing again and thinking about a second album. Depending on how well this album goes down, that could be a quick turnover. But nothing is planned, I’m just concentrating on making the most of it!
