In the artist’s words: Describe one of your earliest musical memories in detail.
My Dad quoting the lyrics to Jimmy Nail's Cowboy Dreams to me, aged 8: "Love's a silver bullet that blows your world apart, I want to be remembered as an outlaw, the boy who stole your heart".
Paddy McAloon wrote it, who'd go on to be my hero later. What are your top 3 all-time favorite albums on Apple Music, and why? Why did you choose these three albums in particular?
Brian Wilson, That Lucky Old Sun Bonus Track Version
Prefab Sprout, Steve McQueen (Remastered)
The Beach Boys, Pet Sounds (50th Anniversary Deluxe Edition) 2016 Remaster
Pet Sounds is a young man's life put to music, expressing emotions so simply yet eloquently.
That Lucky Old Sun inspired my move to America (as fate has it I now work with its co-writer!)
Steve McQueen is grown-up heartbreak rock, superbly produced. Find a song of yours on Apple Music that you love and tell us what makes it special. Tell us why you chose this song.
“Jacqueline”
I wrote this when I had just moved to LA: I woke up one morning in a house underneath the Hollywood sign and realised how much my life had changed. Rolling Stone Magazine named it their Song You Need To Know when it was released, which I'm proud of. What’s one of the most memorable moments in your career so far?
Being produced by one of my songwriting heroes, Chris Difford of Squeeze. I was doing some vocal takes and he says "Tom, come out here, I've just written you a few new lines where I think it needed changing, I hope that's ok?" I was overjoyed! Is there anything left on your bucket list as an artist or band?
To write and produce an album that will stand the test of time, and that people will cherish too, and that means something to them. If you can make and leave an impression with your music, then you've done your job.