‘The Eighth Note’ is 8 quick Questions with Wellington Musicians.
A chance for us to catch up with people & see what they’re up to, or introduce you to a new musician/band and their music.
Today’s guest is UK musician Tom Kane who moved to Wgtn a year ago, and has just released a new album under the moniker no mans heath.
Who are you? Tell us a bit about your music:
I’m Tom Kane I am a singer songwriter from the UK. I’ve been playing and releasing music under the name ‘no mans heath’ for about ten years. I moved to Wellington just over a year ago.
My music is personal and vulnerable. I think something can be lost when music gets overproduced, so I try to make my music to be as real as possible, like listening to the soul. This can be uncomfortable as we are bombarded by music that is designed to be understood in five seconds. People are complex and need time to be seen I want my music to reflect that.
What have you been working on lately? Any new tracks or albums on the way?
I have just released a new album called ball of string. It is a collection of songs that charts the transition that I made in moving here; leaving friends and family that I’d known for years to adventure somewhere new.
The record was recorded by Scott Pilgrim who is a member of the incredible Polly Johnson Set and is also an excellent solo performer in his own right. It is available to download and stream for free.
Where is the best place people can follow you & find your music?
My music is released through Bandcamp. You can follow my progress and updates on gigs on Facebook. I also use Soundcloud for demos.
What were the 3 most influential albums to you growing up?
When I was young I listened to lots of bands. Disintegration by The Cure, The Smiths by The Smiths and Automatic for the People by R.E.M standout as great records for me. Overtime though I have become more impressed by much simpler personal records I love Pink Moon by Nick Drake, Benji by Sun Kil Moon and Flashlight Seasons by an artist called Gravenhurst that went under the radar.
Which other Wellington musician (s) would you most like to work with?
I’ve seen some great artists since I’ve been in Wellington. In quite a short time I have been influenced by the poise that Ruth Mundy delivers her beautiful songs. I am impressed by bands like the Polly Johnson Set, Archie the brave and Stellarize, but for the time being I think I’ll continue to write and perform on my own as I enjoy the intimacy that you get from a solo performance.
What’s your favourite Wellington venue to play in?
I’ve enjoyed playing shows at Moon bar and San Fran but mainly I’ve been performing at open mics. I also love playing small shows in living rooms, for me the venue is less important that the audience. Anywhere someone is keen to listen I am happy to play.
In your songwriting or composing (or the band’s songwriting) how do the compositions and songs take shape?
I am always thinking about words for songs. We have a world time clock in our kitchen and the other day someone said we’d better be going it is already 12:30 in Tokyo. I thought that was a good opening line for a song.
I usually come up with some guitar, I write strange, often awkward guitar parts and then try and fit a tune and some words over the top. Sometimes it happens quickly but other songs take months to come out. I often don’t feel like I am in control of the process.
Where/when is your next gig?
I haven’t got any shows booked in right now, but I will be about at open mics at the Dragon Bar, the Fringe and Bad Grannies.
I’m thinking about putting on a launch night to celebrate the release of ball of string so if you are interested follow my Facebook for announcements.
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