Tomm On the Making Of ‘ATLAS’
How does 'ATLAS' reflect your musical journey and growth as an artist?
I think 'ATLAS' was a big leap from my previous LPs, and I'm glad that with every new release, I can see myself growing as an artist. After my previous LP, I was really struggling to find a new idea for a concept album, and I was also worried that the two of them would sound too much alike. However, in the end, changing the approach from writing songs on my keyboard to laying the foundation on my bass or my guitar really helped achieve the change of style I was looking forward to. It still sounds like Tomm, but different, I think.
What did you enjoy most about making ‘ATLAS?’
I really loved experimenting with panning. Queens Of The Stone Age were a big inspiration for that. Once I found myself gravitating towards this desert rock-ish sound, I decided to play around with panning in a similar way to how Josh Homme does. Additionally, I wrote many subtle guitar and bass parts that function as "textures." I believe 'Humbug' by Arctic Monkeys played a significant role in shaping that aspect.
Have you noticed any particular interpretations or connections that listeners have made with ‘ATLAS?'
Not yet. I've noticed that some people are intrigued by the meaning behind 'The Liver is The Cock’s Comb', but I believe the album's message is fairly straightforward this time. I would be interested in seeing some people analyze it though. I briefly mentioned 'ATLAS' being this malevolent persona that emerges towards the end of a relationship when I announced the LP. However, I'm not sure if listeners who have just experienced the album have picked up on that interpretation yet.
How did you get started in music, and what inspired you to become a singer-songwriter?
Oh, this is actually a funny story. I self-produced a song jokingly while I was in high school and said to one of my friends, "Wouldn't it be fun if I put this on Spotify?" So, I did it. But when I was about to publish the song, I realized that I was paying for a full year of Spotify releases. So, I decided to make the best of it and start writing songs consistently. Looking back at it, I actually had more to say back then. Nowadays, I find myself often struggling when it comes to lyrics. I guess that carelessness really helped me, huh?
Are there any genres or styles you'd like to explore in the future?
I have a plethora of styles that I would love to explore, mix, and match. However, the choice isn't up to me; it's always up to my fingers when I pick up my guitar or sit at my piano next time. Nowadays, I'm trying to involve some of my friends in my writing process. I believe that will play a significant role in my upcoming releases as well.
