What inspired you to create your album?
“Old View of the New World‘ is my 3rd album. After the indulgence of my double 2nd album, Medium Eyes Blue Build, which expanded the band to include special guests, Strings, and a Horn section over 24 Tracks. I wanted to scale down again to a touring size Rock band, as well as focus on my role as a Drummer, including shorter Drum solo tracks like Ballyhoo, Kill the Kin, and Oan Your Bike.
Amongst other concepts, the songs are inspired by: The Black Dinner of 1440 (Tracks: Kill the Kin & The Black Dinner), Viking invasions (Sail on the Wind), Werewolves in the Moonlight (Stillness of the Night), Dreams of a Pub Crawl post lockdown (Let’s Paint the Town, Fred), Being put in the “Friend Zone” (Just another Way to Make a Friend), and waiting to start a family (Waiting for Life to Begin). The title track itself, Old View of the New World, is about watching a new younger generation taking over the world: “queue up to see the world you thought was yours”.
Can you tell us more about your musical influences and how you created your unique sound?
“First and foremost, I’m a drummer. So, a lot of my music is focused on rhythm, textures, and my preference for live sounds over electronic samples. Growing up in and around Dunfermline I had some fantastic bands to look up to, such as local legends Nazareth and Big Country. I was also a member of Fife Youth Jazz Orchestra, led by Richard Michael, who had a big impact on me as a musician. From an early age I was listening to lots of Jazz and Rock n Roll growing up, and being Scottish there was also lots of Folk music in the air too.”
“George Chisholm, trombonist extraordinaire, once said: “When someone asks ‘What’s your three favourite bands?’, I say Count Basie, Duke Ellington and Jimmy Shand. Listen to Jimmy Shand, and you will find your feet going, there’s a swing to it.” When it comes to writing my own music, everything I listen to inspires me, as I sit at an instrument it all comes out in one big melting pot. A wide range of artists like: Dave Matthews Band, Steely Dan, Thin Lizzy, Keith Jarrett, Dougie MacLean, Deep Purple, Stealers Wheel, Rush, Led Zeplin, The Black Crowes, Wishbone Ash, Snarky Puppy, Fairport Convention, Uriah Heep, King Crimson, Tedeschi trucks band, Toto, Supertramp, Yes, AC/DC, John Mayer… the list goes on.”
Do you have a track that shines out as a favourite to play live?
“I really enjoy playing ‘See the Light’, it’s a fun track to do live, both with the full band and Solo. I have a video of the Solo version on Instagram: @tomadamsonband.”
How does your songwriting process work?
“I know it happens for different writers in different ways, for me, it’s usually the music that comes first then the lyrics. My degree at Guildhall was in Jazz so there’s a lot of improvisation in my approach to music. Sometimes this can lead to a new idea to compose around. Inspiration can come from a story or historical event (e.g. The Black Dinner, or Queensbury Rules); A concept: like write a song about Vikings (e.g. Sail on the Wind), or a Scottish Poem by Tobias Smallet (e.g. Ode to the Leven); Or constraint (e.g. use 5/4 time, or only a specific Modal Scale; Time Waits for Norman).”
“Once I have come up with an idea for a song I often make a demo recording, whether it’s on my phone as a quick ‘memo recording’, or in the studio. I Start with a basic outline on Guitar, Bass or Piano, depending on what the song was written on. After listening back and adjusting the initial form and structure, I build it up from there, trying out other instruments alongside. Sometimes even swapping out the instrument I wrote it on, for another one completely. Putting a Guitar riff on Piano, or vice versa, can lead the composition in new and exciting directions. Some of the time it’s a case of a different ideas coming together over months, other times a fully formed song is produced in 10 minutes.”
How would you describe your music to a potential fan?
“It’s hard to confine to one Genre. My music has elements of Classic Rock, Blues, Progressive Rock, Post-Progressive, Funk, Folk, and Jazz. Overall, it’s honest music though, both lyrically and through it’s improvised elements. This can be a dark narrative at times, but my music also has elements of humour that pop out. I try and tell a story whether it’s my own or someone else’s.”
Who would you love to collaborate on a project with?
“Perhaps Glen Hughes, he seems like a nice bloke, and fun to work with. It would be amazing to have him play and sing on something along the lines of Lead Me to the Edge from the new album. Who knows Kevin Shirley might want to produce it, that would be amazing! Or maybe wright and perform with Snarky Puppy, they have a fantastic way to interpret people’s compositions. I love their ‘Family Dinner’ Album.”
What does the future hold for you?
“I’m putting together a tour for later this year, so keep an eye out on www.tom-adamson.com, and Social Media (@tomadamsonband) for those dates. My 4th album has also begun to take shape, I’ve already started recording parts of it in Scotland and in my studio in Buckinghamshire. It should be a nice follow-up to ‘Old View of the New World’.”
Tom Adamsons Band has released his new album entitled ‘Old View of the New World’ alongside the leading single ‘See the Light’ which is now available on all major streaming platforms.
