Listen Up - Tom Gamble
A look at some of the emerging artists of the acoustic roots & folk circuit
This month's Listen Up feature put's the spotlight on Tom Gamble. There are few musicians who can really be said to defy genre. Tom is such a musician. With a virtuosic technique and hugely diverse musical output, he is often regarded as being one of the UK's most exciting young guitar soloists, whose live shows have been described as "virtuosic and spontaneous". He is also the songwriter and vocalist for The Lost Decades.
How would you describe your music?
I'm a guitarist. I've never considered myself to be entrenched in one particular genre because that's not my musical background. I love the guitar and I think that what makes it special is its ability to play almost any kind of music. I grew up playing blues, fingerstyle, folk, country and rock. In my late teens I discovered classical guitar. I loved this technique and practiced it obsessively for a few years so that I would be able to study at music college. I found the world of classical guitar quite close-minded however and encountered many guitarists who, while great at learning repertoire, lacked all of the stuff which I grew up doing. Nowadays I suppose my style is an amalgamation of all of that. As a soloist I use classical and fingerstyle techniques, normally with a nylon string guitar. In my live shows I will play everything from Bach to Joplin to The Beatles and my own tunes. I also write songs with my group The Lost Decades. My favourite musicians are genreless and that's what I've always strived for. Music is music.
What has been your highlight so far?
Music is a tough game. I've always worked as hard as I can to keep afloat and fortunately I've had some wonderful experiences performing and recording. I've played solo throughout the US and Canada. I did my first concert in Colombia a couple of years ago to a full theatre of perhaps the most passionate audience I've played to yet. I've had many of my recordings played regularly on national radio and I've performed live several times on BBC Radio 3. I've also had the privilege of working with some truly amazing world-class musicians. These are all highlights, but I'm equally happy playing with my band in a pub in London.
What plans regarding recordings, video, tours etc do you have for the future?
As I write this we are fast approaching the end of 2021. After a pretty turbulent time for all it's good to have projects and live dates on the horizon. I'm about to head out to the US where I'll be performing solo concerts onboard the Queen Mary 2 ship. Then I'll be thinking about my next solo album as well as getting together the debut album with The Lost Decades. I'm very excited as to what 2022 will bring. I work hard because I love being busy.
Is there anything else you would like to say or any message to our readers?
Support musicians wherever you can. It doesn't have to be with money (although of course that's ideal...) It can be sharing a song on social media, adding it to a playlist, or commenting on and liking a video. You've no idea how important it is to the artists to know that their hard work is being appreciated, and it helps them get the live work.
For more details:
https://www.tomgamblemusic.com
Dear Prudence
Fatea Showcase Sessions
The Fatea Showcase Sessions are a series of downloads featuring acts that we've really enjoyed and think that more people should get the chance to hear.
Corsair is the current session and features 16 fantastic artists check out the website to find out more about them and download your copy
www.fatea-showcase-sessions.co.uk for all the artist information.