Over the course of a career that has earned praise from critics, fellow musicians, and audiences alike, Tom Moriarty has established himself as one of the UK’s most compelling roots-rock storytellers. Known for his soulful voice, evocative songwriting, and deeply personal approach to music, Moriarty returns with his fifth studio album 'Chapters', a record years in the making that captures both his artistic evolution and the life experiences that shaped it.
Blending the acoustic foundations that first won him acclaim with a bold new electric edge, the album explores resilience, hardship, adventure, and personal growth through a collection of songs that feel both intimate and expansive.
So with the new album out now, we sat down with him to find out more about his origins and what has been inspiring him most over the years.
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What was the first instrument you fell in love with?
It would be guitar. I started playing piano at 4 yrs old and guitar at 6 years old so I had been playing piano before however I think guitar was something that I felt more at home with. I have a Takamine Acoustic that I have had for years and has gone with me everywhere I have lived, different cities, different countries. I have written almost all my songs on that guitar on previous albums and the new album “Chapters”. I love that guitar. I think it’s been really important in defining my sound. It has a warmth and a beauty and you can hear that on the more acoustic tracks on the new album.
I guess the first instrument I fell in love with was an electric guitar. It was Christmas and I’ll never forget seeing the box under the tree. When I opened it I found a beautiful Gibson SG copy. It was a slow motion moment. I remember picking it up and looking at it. It was a real electric guitar. A few days later I plugged it in to a small VOX practice amp I had. I turned it up to 10 and played a power chord and it was that moment where you feel that sound for the first time. Everything changed from then and I was an electric guitarist. One of the first songs I ever played through that amp was Back in Black by AC/DC.
On the new album you will hear the influence of those two guitars as Chapters has acoustic tracks as well as, for the first time, electric guitar tracks.
What kind of music did you love when you were younger?
Oh man, all kinds I guess, I was into rock music, jazz, soul, singer-songwriter, classical. I remember playing Beethoven’s 5th when I was 10 yrs old on a record player. It’s classical rock n roll. I was always into singers from Ray Charles to Sinatra. And then you discover Joe Cocker and Hendrix and Clapton and classic rock. I guess it’s about an attitude and real playing, real singing. There were a lot of rock bands, a lot of Thin Lizzy, AC/DC, and Springsteen's album Born To Run played a pretty influential part. I listened to a lot of Paul Weller, The Jam, The Clash. I’ve always listened to the great singer songwriters like Dylan, Carole King and Joni Mitchell.
I think people will hear some of those musical influences in the new album “Chapters”. Guitarist Magazine said the album is as if “Springsteen gave up small town America to live in the wilds.” When people hear my voice Springsteen is often mentioned along with Eddie Vedder and Ray LaMontagne.
The singers I have listened to have really inspired my singing and I try to put as much into my singing as they do. You are always learning.
What was the first album you remember owning?
I’m pretty sure it was Thin Lizzy Live And Dangerous
What is the one song you wished you could have written yourself?
Ha, man, I don’t think there is any song I would take away from the artist that wrote it. I have never listened to a song and thought that I wished I had written that. I just think it’s a great song from that artist. I think I am more inspired by the songs that are written. When it comes to an artist the song is both the artist and the song. A Springsteen song with Springsteen singing is a performance. There really isn’t one. If there was then I would be a different artist writing for someone else.
Do you have any habits or rituals you go through when trying to write new music?
I’m pretty disciplined when it comes to writing. I live and breathe it. It’s the first thing I think about in the morning and the last thing at night. I don’t listen to any other music or have any other distraction from TV. That way the song is running in your mind throughout the day. You think about what you want to say and your creative mind takes those thoughts and comes up with ways of saying that in metaphors and lyrics. You catch the lines.
For the music the songs come from my hands. I will play guitar and jam along, coming up with ideas, and sometimes you’ll be playing and you think that could be a chorus, a verse or a middle 8 and that can be the start of a new song.
Who are your favourite artists you have found yourself listening to at the moment?
There’s always a bit of a mix. Recently I’ve been listening to a bit of southern rock from Robert Jon and The Wreck, some blues from Christone “Kingfish” Ingram, some Jungle and I’ve actually been listening to some Olivia Dean recently. Such a great singer. And I was listening to quite a bit of the incredible blues guitarist Philip Sayce who just completed a 10 date UK tour with. It was inspiring to tour with Philip and I think people will hear some of that in my solos that I play live when I perform the album for the first time at an album launch gig I’m doing on 27th June at the Cheltenham Playhouse Theatre.
If you could open a show for anyone in the world, who would it be?
Springsteen
What do you find is the most rewarding part about being a musician?
Writing new songs and performing live on stage. I’m really looking forward to performing “Chapters” for the first time at the Cheltenham Playhouse on 27th June. I’m getting together a great band so it’s going to be great to perform the new album with them.
And what is the most frustrating part?
Promo
And what is the best piece of advice you have received as a musician?
You know I’m not even sure if there has been one piece of advice I have received as a musician that stands out. I’ve kind of had to make it my own way. One thing I would say to other artists and musicians is “Just Be You” as no one can be as good at being you as you. Express yourself. It’s important that people think about that. Guitarists can often solo like other guitarists but if you do that then there’s loads of guitarists who sound like you. So it’s better to have your own style. Another thing I have said to other artists over the years in their earlier days is about playing smaller venues when you hear some people talking in a gig. I always tell them, “You can’t hear the people listening.”
I think the new album is a real expression of who I am. I think it’s my best work to date. I am being true to who I am. I think people will hear that authenticity in the music.
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Tom Moriarty's new album 'Chapters' is out now. Check it out in the player below.