FIVE FLAMBOYANT MINUTES WITH TOM A. SMITH | INTERVIEW
Straight out of the sweatbox that was Tom A Smith’s set at ‘In The Know’ festival Saturday; the North East rising star sat down with Northern Exposure’s Gracie Erskine to discuss building identity, Sunderland pride and all things new on the horizon.
Smith has been clawing through the industry for over a decade now, despite how his premature candids may deceive. From performing at Glastonbury at 10 years old, putting all Hot Wheels racers and Barbie bandits to shame; Tom has finally signed his first record deal with independent London label Fiction Records. The young songwriter has sought a new-found fearlessness to his latest EP ‘Say What You Want‘ and was not afraid to show it at Network Sheffield last Saturday.
Gracie: How was your set this evening?
Tom: It was amazing, I thoroughly enjoyed it. I think it was one of the warmest stages I’ve ever been on, the crowd were brilliant.
Gracie: Competing with Shakira for hips not lying for sure.
Tom: I’ll take that, they’re the best hips in the world!
Gracie: Congratulations on your EP ‘Say What You Want’ released earlier this year, it’s a much bolder, more confident sound. What was the vision going into it?
Tom: It’s definitely been about building identity. I was always putting songs out that I liked, and I was happy with them, but they were always different from the last. Which is fine keeping it fresh, but we struggled to find and pigeonhole where we are and find an area which best suits us. I wanted to create a body of work which felt fresh- if I was going to pick an instrument up then what is the first thing that inspired me? I just went back to my roots and I think it’s worked.
Gracie: I think you can definitely see that in ‘I Don’t Blame You’ which has this huge confidence.
Tom: Yeah, it’s ironic and tongue in cheek, laidback and doesn’t take itself too seriously and I think that is really important. It is just outgoing and crazy, just three minutes of madness really.
Gracie: Is that the same confidence you take into everyday life or just the studio and stage?
Tom: I’d like to say I try to. There are other tracks on that EP, such as ‘Beautiful Way’ that are a bit more open and do go into other aspects of my life. We’ve just signed our record deal which is what the EP was through, so I did want to come out with something that was confident and maybe screaming some songs down the mic.
Gracie: You’ve had some huge moments this year- playing at Louis Tomlinson’s pop-up shop, as well as supporting Lottery Winners. Do you feel it has been a long time coming?
Tom: It’s weird because you spend so long doing it. I’ve been playing guitar now for 17 years, I’ve been on stage since I was 8 and I’ve been going at this for a while now. Especially the last 5 years have been amazing, but over the past 6/7 months it’s definitely grown into something that has more identity about it and taken a bit more shape. I’m only excited for what the rest of the year will bring.
Gracie: You’re supporting Andrew Cushin at his homecoming gig in Newcastle later in the year, is that not slightly sacrilegious as Sunderland lad?
Tom: I do think football and music should go relatively hand in hand in that whole culture, but it shouldn’t make too much of a difference. Andrew is a great lad and I’m sure it’ll be an amazing show. I have a lot of respect for Andrew and carrying that Newcastle bandwagon. As long as I don’t mention where I’m from when I’m on stage I’ll be fine. I might just put a sneaky Sunderland badge on my tie or something like that.
Gracie: There seems to be quite a scene coming up in the North East, are there any bands up there in particular that you’re rooting for?
Tom: I’m always going to shout about Sunderland at any opportunity, the city is doing amazing things at the moment. That whole city centre is just up and coming at the forefront of the culture. There are loads of great upcoming bands though, in some great venues especially.
Gracie: Like with the renovation of The Fire Station?
Tom: Yeah definitely. We’ve done our own show there 4 times actually and it’s always great. There’s an amazing scene up there and I couldn’t be prouder to be from Sunderland.
Gracie: With 2025 being so big, can you give any spoilers ahead of 2026?
Tom: There’s definitely going to be more music. But that’s about as much as I can say unfortunately. There’s something that I have been working incredibly hard on over the last 12/18 months, but I’m excited over this new bit of music.
Gracie: And to any new Tom A Smith fans, how would you describe yourself in one word?
Tom: Extra. I’m extra, especially on stage. Or maybe flamboyant, but definitely one of the two.
Tom A Smith’s performance is bona-fide proof of security and identity in new talent, bringing life and vibrance to the stage. Smith’s crowd was a medley of hardcore fans and wide-eyed curiosity at his self-stated flamboyance, solidifying the purpose of ‘In The Know’ and its showcase of new talent.
Follow Tom on Instagram here.
