Tom Saint 'All My Friends Are Enemies' was released on 26 November 2021. Blending noughties rock with modern hip hip and hyper pop influences London based singer songwriter producer Tom Saint began releasing his own signature brand of anthemic emo pop in Summer 2020. Raised in Southampton on a diet of pop punk, hardcore and southern hip hop he moved to London at 19 where he discovered synths, raves and the studio. These influences created the backdrop to his own songwriting that documents loss, sex and betrayal. Both catchy and introspective his music has been supported by BBC Introducing (UK) and Amazing Radio (US).
By Kamil Bobin
Discovered via Musosoup
Kamil) Hey Tom Saint, super nice to have the chance to chat with you. What have you been up to over the past year in this big old mess?
Yoooo! Over the past year I’ve realised my sound, written a new EP, built a clique of amazing new artists and producers and started a new underground electronic club night called Sugar House with my friend and fellow artist/producer Pip.
Where do you see your musical career in 10 years?
In 10 years i’ll be headlining Reading and Leeds, writing and producing for the biggest alternative artists and touring the world with a loyal fan base of deviants. I love making music and I do this every day so i’ve already won but i like to aim high, the only person i’m competing with is myself, to write music that really connects and makes people feel seen and understood but is also a vibe.
Your latest track is 'All My Friends Are Enemies'. Can you share with us the background of its creation and did any unusual things happen during its creation?
My friend James Yuill (Cable TV) and I wrote and produced All My Friends at the first session we did together in my new studio in Bermondsey this summer. After the success of our first collaboration Thicker Than Water (my 2nd single) we wanted to knock it out the park again with something just as weird, catchy and exciting.
I was waxing lyrical about how amazing Native Instruments Maschine is and all the things you can do with it. I bought mine after watching Joe from 0171 tear it up on his and I was showing James how far you can manipulate loops and samples. As an example I started mindlessly mangling a random drum loop that had a vinyl brake in it which made the pitch dive. When I pitched it really low it started playing the grinding synth opening and that became the backbone of the song. I started to add a melodic 808 bassline but James insisted we keep its pitch static (in contrast to our previous collabs).
James then started riffing vocal melodies over the loop and straight away came out with the chorus melody fully formed and the synth hook response. He was on fire that day - we normally work at his studio, maybe it was the change of scenery (or the insanely strong coffee he was drinking?) We started to write lyrics to his melodies and arrived at the title ‘All My Friends Are Enemies’. We loved the reference to my first single Midnight Eyes on the preceding line - ‘midnight eyes with hennessey’. I was super in my feelings that morning, the song is the story of a long relationship drama that had dramatically climaxed at a friends wedding the week before.
What would you be doing right now, if it wasn’t for your music career?
Probably working a ‘sensible job’ with a healthy bank account and an unhappy soul.
What are your favourite musical genres, and are there any you dislike?
I dislike ‘genre based’ music. The playlist era has spawned a tonne of soundalike artists who do nothing new and add to the noise. I love artists that carve their own path and push the discourse forward. My favourites at the moment are spooky electro pop duo Boy Harsher Producer/Artist pop genre bending genius Sega Bodega. My most mainstream fav at the moment is rapper G Eazy - ‘Wanna Be Myself’ on the new album makes me cry but also feel totally understood.
Describe your creative process when you write new music.
A song can come from anywhere Sometimes a melody comes into my head while i’m riding around and I pull my bike over and record a voice note. Other times I sit down and write from scratch on guitar or piano. Then I might get bored and start with the beat first and then riff melodies over the top. A great title is a great starting point too because you know where you’re going. Every song is different and I try and change the method as often as possible to keep things fun and fresh.
What is your proudest accomplishment as a musician?
I never thought i could be an artist, i never thought i could be a producer or a top liner or a writer, i’ve always loved music and just wanted a job in a studio making tea but nowhere would hire me, i’m proud i keep surprising myself.
Who inspired you to make music?
Green Day playing American Idiot on top of the pops live when i was 10.
How do you feel the Internet has impacted the music business?
The advancement of technology and streamable content makes it harder to get people out to shows with more entertainment at home (but maybe higher taxes on beer is equally to blame). It’s also given power to the artist to distribute, brand, create, gain exposure so it’s a mixed bag. It’s easy to forget how new this all is, I still feel lucky to be making music at a time where we have the means to make full records in our bedrooms and have them reach people all over the world.
What are your plans for next year? Do you have any productions ready to be released?
I’ve got All my Friends Are Enemies remixes from Cable TV and D • LINGS still to come. I’ll be releasing 3 more singles and my full first EP at the start of the year. There’s also some amazing songs i’ve been involved with as a producer/writer with my very talented friends Berry Galazka and Tally Spear on the way too.
I’m most excited to put on more events and play live more, especially at Sugar House our new bi-monthly electronic gig/party, the last one at The Four Quarters, Peckham was a wild sell out and we can’t wait to expand and do more.