Wellington Music: New Album - no mans heath
What is the album about?
The new 'no mans heath' album – the same moon was released on Bandcamp on 12 September 2025. 'No mans heath' is the solo project of singer songwriter Tom Kane. Tom’s songs are delicate and original. They fuse intricate finger style guitar with heartfelt, insightful poetry and have been described as a beautiful exercise in restraint.
When/where was the new album recorded?
I find studio pressure difficult, so I recorded the bulk of the album at home with my H1 Zoom mic. That way I could do as many takes as I needed to get one that I was comfortable with.
I played the songs live and the mic captured the voice and the guitar together. It was a decision to value the performance over everything else.
Who produced/engineered the album? How did the tracks come together in the studio, or at home?
The record was engineered by Scott Roy. We worked together before, and I know that he has the patience required. After recording the bones of the tracks at home. I sent the files to Scott, we listened to them and liked them more than I expected.
He added some reverb and EQ to the tracks. Then we added some backing vocals and electric guitar. The additions are minimal because we wanted the acoustic guitar and vocal parts to remain centre stage.
Scott also mixed and mastered the album. He is a legend.
How did the songwriting happen? Are there any overall themes within the songs/album?
My songwriting usually starts with the guitar music. I want each song to be interesting and have a point of difference. It comes from years of performing live on my own, just voice and guitar. Wanting to add songs into the set that are distinctive for the audience.
Then once I have a guitar part I work on vocal melody at the same time as developing the lyrics. I find only the songs where all three elements are good stand the test of time.
I started writing this record about a year after moving to New Zealand from the UK nearly ten years ago. A lot of the early songs were me processing the change, missing home and loved ones. Then as the years moved on the themes changed, the later songs are more political, although all of the songs are presented in the terms of interpersonal relationships.
Were you going for a different sound/approach on this album?
After I released my last record, ball of string in 2017, I set myself a challenge to write 100 songs before making another record. I wanted to make sure that the next record was different from anything that I had made before, and the songs were stronger.
However, I wrote about thirty songs and then lost all inspiration. I hardly wrote for several years and once I reached forty songs, I realised that I would never get to 100. So, I decided that was enough was enough.
About twelve of the songs felt strong. Songs that I played a lot live and was proud of all three elements – guitar music, vocal melody and lyrics. So, I decided to record those and put them out as an album.
Attempting to write 100 songs meant that there was a long gap between the oldest and newest songs on the record and I like that progression.
Is there a particular single/track that you feel captures the essence of the album?
I love how the recording of failing light came out. The mic captured some birdsong from outside and it is a magical addition.
Other than that, I think Drones is my favourite. I hadn’t written anything that I’d liked for several years, and I felt like giving up trying. When I wrote it, I had no idea if it was good, but people instantly responded to it when I played it live. It was that song that gave me confidence to finish the record. I love the backing vocals we added, it just lifts it enough to make the recording process worth it.
Is there a physical copy available? If not which digital platforms is it available on?
The album is currently only available for streaming or download on my Bandcamp page. I’m aiming to release it more widely on other digital platforms in the coming months.
Are you doing any gigs or promotion for its release?
I have an album launch celebration coming up on Thursday 25th September at Vogelmorn. I’ll be supported by the excellent Tessa De Lyon from Mystery Waitress.
Doors at 6pm, music starts at 6:30. It should be a great show, I’m looking forward to it.
no mans heath - the same moon