Introducing #174 - Tom Atkin

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Let introduce, or reintroduce you rather, to Tom Atkin. Making great waves across the noughties indie scene with The Paddingtons, Tom reemerges ten years later solo. We caught up with him to get a little more insight to his return.


Hey Tom! How are you? How are you dealing with this difficult time for the creative industry?
I like staying out of the way, to be honest. Personally, things are going well for me creatively despite the weird time we're in. There’s a not great deal to write about, but it’s given me time to work on ideas that are already rolling. I actually don’t hate lockdown if I'm honest, it’s kinda grim around this time, which is when I seem to be able to write better anyway.

Your new track ‘Lil Fucker’ is out now, can you tell us what the track is about?
It's kind of me trying to understand myself and me almost having a word with myself. I won’t go too much into it as it’s quite a personal track.

It’s part of your debut EP of the same name, when can we expect to hear that?
Yeah, there are four tracks in total. I was working on a bunch of ideas around the same time but these chosen ones made sense together. The next single is going be out around mid-January and going to plan I'm gonna make videos for all 4 tracks as well. Next single is called “Honey Brain” for now.

You’re based in London, but are from Hull originally - what’s your favourite thing about the city?
NOT the football team! I love going back to Hull when I have the chance. It’s actually a lot better than what outsiders make of it. I think the people of Hull are what makes Hull. Some proper genuine people up there and it’s got a great scene for art and music. Still have loads of friends there too...

You were also originally the frontman of The Paddingtons. So far, how does it feel to be back, this time solo?
I’m really excited and enjoying myself a lot working on this new project. It’s certainly been different, making decisions on my own is sometimes tough and weird not having my best mates to check what’s good and what’s not. At the same time, the relationship between Luis [Felber, producer of the EP] and I has that same feeling and we work really well together and it was just kinda like that from the start too.

Who are your key musical influences?
It doesn’t change much. Pixies are always a go-to for me, I think you can hear that a little in this EP. There’s so much more too, I listen to The Modern lovers a lot, The Cribs, Richard Hell, Weezer. I’ve been listening to The Cooper Temple Clause a lot this week and more recent music, I’ve got a bit of a weird obsession with some of these trap artists like XXXTentation.

Now the debut track is out there - what next?
Once the EP is out next year I’ll be focusing on an album. I’ve already started working on, have so many ideas already I’m just buzzing to be making music again and it’s the first time in so so long that I’m excited about it. A song about myself felt like a good place to start.


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