The Star Online: Entertainment: Music
The Star Online: Entertainment: Music |
| Posted: It's refreshing to discover that British singer-songwriter Tom Odell broke into the music scene the old-fashioned way. HOW many times have we been introduced to a new artiste that was a runner-up or winner in a reality singing competition or two? With confetti still stuck in their hair, these overnight stars are carted off straight to the studio to cut their debut album, scheduled for release within the next few months. Where are the days when aspiring singers performed under the sweaty glare of bar lights and nightclubs until they got noticed by an A&R scout? Or had to record demos after demos and send them to every record label in town? And even if one was so fortunate to land a deal, it would take at least a year before a full-length album got released. That's why I was pleasantly surprised to learn that British singer-songwriter Tom Odell not only never auditioned to be a part of any reality talent show, but the very idea of it seems alien to him. "It just never occurred to me," said Odell in his smooth English accent during a phone interview from San Francisco, California. "They're TV shows. They're very different for someone who's making music, like I am. I come from a songwriting background, and I was more interested in songwriting than singing for a long time," he continued. Interestingly, the 22-year-old didn't opt to take the YouTube-turned-recording-artist route to fame, either. Unlike so many young music hopefuls who prop themselves up in front of a webcam and have a go at the day's chart-toppers, Odell seems to approach music with a sense of sacredness, almost. "I feel there is more value to a performance than just singing and putting yourself up on YouTube ... I know a lot of people are doing that, but I don't criticise them. It's just that I put a higher value in making videos and take a lot of care in writing songs," he shared. Hence, Odell's journey into showbiz started when he regularly performed at open mic nights while taking a job as a barman at 18. (He had originally applied to a music programme but failed to gain admission.) There were rough times when no one showed up for his performance or when his instruments got stolen, he recalled, but the experience helped him determine "what the good and bad songs were." During one of his performances, Odell caught the eye – or rather, ear – of an enthusiastic audience member. As it turned out, she happened to be a friend of indie pop star Lily Allen. The British songstress had just established her own record label, In The Name Of, in 2011 and was looking for up-and-coming acts. "I'm not usually a massive fan of singer-songwriter stuff, but when I saw him live, his energy onstage reminded me of David Bowie. It's not soppy and moany at all, it's energetic and insightful," Allen passionately told music publication NME. Needless to say, he was immediately signed and Odell released his first EP, Songs From Another Love, last October. The newcomer dropped his full-length debut Long Way Down recently. "Songs From Another Love was about the end of a relationship. This album is about the whole relationship and what happened to me at the time I was writing the songs. It's very honest, personal and autobiographical," he described. As Odell is signed primarily as a musician-songwriter, he is given free rein to create and produce his own work. He wrote and co-produced every song on the 10-track album. Odell further explained that drawing from his own experiences with relationships, was a crucial element in his songwriting. "I find music becomes more emotive and compelling when you're honest with yourself, instead of hiding behind lyrics that you have no relationship with," he said. That, as well as the album's raw, unpolished feel – sounding as though it was recorded live – are what Odell believes sets Long Way Down apart. True enough, despite mixed reviews, Odell's latest offering topped the official UK Album Chart in the first week of its release, replacing Kanye West's much-talked-about Yeezus. Chart-topper or not, Odell ultimately hopes his album will speak and relate to listeners. He said, "When the sad songs are sung, I want people to feel sad; when it's the happy songs, I want people to be blown away. I want people to feel something from my music – like the hair standing on the back of their necks." Tom Odell's debut album Long Way Down is in stores now. |
| You are subscribed to email updates from Music To stop receiving these emails, you may unsubscribe now. | Email delivery powered by Google |
| Google Inc., 20 West Kinzie, Chicago IL USA 60610 | |
0 ulasan:
Catat Ulasan