After establishing himself with a wealth of rich and immersive outings these last few years, LA-based artist Tom Goss is back to his vibrant ways once again with his stunning new studio album 'Remember What It Feels Like'.
Capturing more of that fun and fresh pop aesthetic he has built for himself over the years, 'Remember What It Feels Like' makes for a rousing return for the artist at the helm. Filled with bright and uplifting textures, a soaring atmosphere, and his own infectious voice layered throughout, he is certainly looking to slap a smile on our face with this one.
So with the new album available to stream now, we sat down with him to find out more about his origins and what has been inspiring him most over the years.
-
What was the first instrument you fell in love with?
The guitar. I asked for a guitar for my high school graduation in hopes of learning every Dave Matthews Band song ever made. I spent my first couple years of college doing just that. I may have been a little obsessed…
What kind of music did you love when you were younger?
I wasn’t really into music until my senior year in High School. I mostly played sports. It wasn’t that I didn’t love music, or singing, it just wasn’t a focal point of my life. I listened to whatever my mom liked (oldies on the radio - The Beatles, The Monkeys, Carole King) and whatever pop music was on the radio at the time.
What was the first album you remember owning?
The first cassette I ever asked for was “Jump” by Kris Kross (for my birthday, maybe 11 years old) and first CD I ever bought was “Est. 1999” by Bone Thugs and Harmony. I remember putting the CD under a bunch of underwear, deep in my drawer so my mom wouldn’t’ find it. The next morning, she woke me up by walking into my room, opening my drawer, pulling out the CD, and saying “don’t bring this crap into my house.” I wasn’t even awake yet! How did she know it was there? Are moms psychic?
What is the one song you wished you could have written yourself?
Me and Julio! What a great song, so full of life. Really fun guitar lick, exuberant vocals, brilliant lyrics, and strong message. Doesn’t get any better.
Do you have any habits or rituals you go through when trying to write new music?
Not really. I write music all sorts of ways, I don’t really have patterns. Sometimes it’s music first, sometimes lyrics, sometimes it all happens at once. Two tracks on this album I wrote while riding my bicycle. For me, I just have to do it. That’s the most important thing. If you don’t sit down to write, nothing will get written.
Who are your favourite artists you have found yourself listening to at the moment?
I’ve spent the past couple years obsessed with Emily King. Her new record came out in May and I flew out to Chicago to see her live. Mind blowing. The writing, production, and vocals on her records are so meticulously curated and her live shows are magnetic. I love the energy she brings into the world.
If you could open a show for anyone in the world, who would it be?
Good question. I’m not sure I have ever thought about it in that way. Opening is a question about the audience more than the artist. My first inkling is to say Dave Matthews Band. They meant everything to me in my formative years, but nobody ever listens to their opening acts, so that seems like it wouldn’t be very fun.
For me, the question is more like “What green room would you like to share with a bigger artist?” That way it’s about the artist and the hang, being in their energy, learning from them and soaking it all in. The answer to that is Dave Matthews Band, Emily King, David Gray, Brandi Carlisle, Childish Gambino, Tobe Nwigwe, MUNA, Jacob Collier, India.Arie, Joy Oladokun. Too many to name really. I’d love to be a fly on the wall and learn from these people.
What do you find is the most rewarding part about being a musician?
My job is to be authentic. That’s it. It’s about being true to who I am, learning, and growing. It’s such a privilege to be able to spend my time trying to figure out how to more fully love myself and others around me.
And what is the most frustrating part?
The industry is designed to take from those that create it. Plain and simple. Musicians aren’t valued by the industry as a whole and music isn’t monetarily valued by consumers. Nobody pays for music anymore, so needless to say, making money through music has become a little complicated.
And what is the best piece of advice you have received as a musician?
Indie musicians used to adhere to the 1,000 fan principle. The thought is, if you have 1,000 fans that are willing to spend $50 on you a year, you have a salary and you have a career. Simple as that. That kind of simple equation clicked for me and it made it a lot easier for me to focus on building something real. I didn’t have to be playing stadiums. My records didn’t have to be going platinum. All I had to do was make music and connect to listeners. One at a time.
-
Tom Goss' new album 'Remember What It Feels Like' is available to stream now. Check it out in the player below.