The Lion And The Wolf [Interview]
The Lion And The Wolf (aka Tom George) is a master of melancholic songcraft. TMMP talked to Tom about his upcoming 2000 Trees set, his earliest gig, and going for a pint with Bill Murray…
You’re playing 2000 Trees this year. What can the curious expect from your set?
Well, it’s just me and my guitar – so normally people can expect some fairly melancholic numbers but with light-hearted Alan-Partridge-
What’s the story behind the first gig you ever played?
Ever? Oh man – I guess it would be back at school in 1999, or maybe 2000. [My band was] called Exit 540, and I was beyond terrified. It was in front of everyone in our year and we messed up half way through and all I can remember shouting was “…keep going!” and needless to say, it didn’t go overly well.
Your music tends to be very layered. What’s your creative process like? Where do your ideas come from?
Recording-wise, with Symptoms, yes – it was layered. We built the record around me layering down just my acoustic as a foundation and then from that point adding what we thought would bring the tracks to life. Because I’m recording with the same people as before, we now have a good understanding/idea of what we want to do and how we can do it.
Having complete control and creative freedom is something that is really beneficial.
Do you ever get nerves or stage fright when you play live? If so, how do you work around that?
I used to, when I was a lot younger. Now I just get excited to play.
I think during my first song I tend to have a few wobbly moments just trying to work out how it’s sounding, but from that point onwards I’m normally fine. The only time I get nervous is if I’m stressed before I play which is normally result of losing a cable, tripping over something or banging my head.
Beyond 2000 Trees, what’ve you got planned for the future?
I will be on tour with PJ Bond throughout July across the UK, and am also busy recording my second body of work throughout summer. Then I’m back on the road in August over in Portugal, doing a full-band tour of Europe in October, and then playing Fest in Florida in November – so I am stoked for the rest of the year and how busy it will be.
What’s currently on your bucket list?
To tour the U.S.
To go for a pint with Bill Murray (perhaps whilst on tour in the U.S.).
To visit Valve.
Links / Video
The Lion And The Wolf on Facebook and Twitter.
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