Newcastle-born, Paris-based songwriter Tom Hancock introduces his debut album 'Innate Subjects', a deeply personal and sonically adventurous project that expands the boundaries of contemporary folk. Recorded in Paris alongside producer Saving Felix, the album blends intimate lyricism with ambient textures, electronic elements, and subtle synth work, creating a sound that feels both grounded and exploratory.
Across eight tracks, 'Innate Subjects' navigates themes of love, loss, guilt, and personal transformation, drawing inspiration from artists like Nick Drake, Elliott Smith, and Sufjan Stevens. At its core is the striking lead single 'Sycamore', inspired by the destruction of the iconic Sycamore Gap tree and the parallel breakdown of a significant relationship. The track weaves these moments together into a poignant reflection on fragility, beauty, and human nature.
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?
Music began with the guitar for me. I started learning when I was 12 but it took me a very long time to truly understand the instrument. Composing came far more naturally, however.
What kind of music did you love when you were younger?
I have a big soft spot for indie rock. There was an explosion of bands in the mid-00s when I was a teenager and that left a big impression on me. Even though folk influenced music is my passion, I still dream of forming a trashy indie band one day.
What was the first album you remember owning?
I was surrounded by music from a very young age so it’s difficult to remember what, if any of it, I owned myself. I also used to borrow CDs from the library and burn copies each week so I had a lot of counterfeit albums too. I remember, though, that the album that really unleashed me as a music fan was By the Way by the Red Hot Chili Peppers.
What is the one song you wished you could have written yourself?
There are so many it’s hard to choose but I’ve been learning Song to the Siren by Tim Buckley lately and that’s a pretty damn perfect song. Even though some of the lyrics are individually questionable, the emotion that carries through each line is something I aspire to.
Do you have any habits or rituals you go through when trying to write new music?
Not especially. Writing music is a very intuitive process for me, the key is finding two chords that work together. From there I can start to hear the rest in my head and it’s just a case of translating that into reality or something close to it. In the last couple of years I have written almost entirely in alternative tunings. Each tuning unlocks an entirely new tonal world and makes finding that initial inspiration almost too easy.
Who are your favourite artists you have found yourself listening to at the moment?
I became obsessed with This Is Lorelei lately. I have been a fan of Water From Your Eyes for a few years now but I hadn’t really dug into Nate Amos’ solo work. Box For Buddy, Box For Star defies all expectations and is impossible to pin down from one track to another. These days I am drawn to artists who break the “rules” of how to be a successful artist in the algorithmic era. I want to hear artists change direction from song to song and tell stories that I have never heard before or could imagine writing myself.
If you could open a show for anyone in the world, who would it be?
It would probably be Sufjan Stevens for his influence on my music alone, but Big Thief seem like an incredible people as well as a band I admire hugely. It would be a lot of fun to be in their proximity.
What do you find is the most rewarding part about being a musician?
One of the most meaningful things that ever happened in my life was finding like-minded songwriters and building long lasting friendships over the joy of making music. The moments I’ve spent with my best friends making music in the French countryside will always surpass any amount of streams or success metrics.
And what is the most frustrating part?
Creating music that even people I am close to struggle to find the time to listen to. I don’t blame anyone for this, we live in an economy that runs off grabbing your attention for as long as possible. When I started making music people would listen to my (frankly awful) demos just because they were bored and it was something to do. Now we are competing with Netflix, Instagram and every other algorithmic platform for just a fraction of your attention.
And what is the best piece of advice you have received as a musician?
My oldest friend told me that if I could have the discipline to keep my guitar parts simpler, I would be able to create something more beautiful in its totality. It’s something I have internalised a lot and has guided my arrangements in the last year or two.
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Tom Hancock's debut album 'Innate Objects' is out now. Check it out in the player below.