David Bowie, Queen, Spirit, Elton John, ELO, Supertramp, Focus, Kate Bush- influence and pin-up!, High Llamas, Caravan, Al Bowlly, Wendy Carlos, Ben Folds, Radiohead, Roy Fox Orchestra, Bach, Annie-may, Elgar, Harry Secmobe, John Cleese, Spike Milligan, Peter from Family Guy, The Brontes, Tony Hawks, Donald Sutherland, Brian Blessed, PJ from Truro college, Percy from Blackadder, The Goats, The Rheas, Rhubarb Crumble!
It’s no surprise to hear an artist proclaiming his love for music previously considered verboten, and Toms is no exception.
You can hear all manner of influences amongst the swirling orchestration of The Forever House: the arrangements feature everything from harpsichord to tuba to something Toms refers to as a “trumpolin” (“a cross between a trumpet and a violin,” he explains. “I don’t think that’s its real name.”).
There’s the sonic ghost of the Supertramp and Elton John records his parents used to play. There is the prog of Caravan and Focus that he loves for its “complete lack of musical rules” and the grandiloquence of celebrated moustache-wearer Freddie Mercury: “obviously amazing in every way,” notes Toms, “a beautiful person”. But even today some areas of musical history remain immune to excavation and, it has to be said, the sound of Al Bowlly is among them.
Yet you can definitely detect a hint of the man known as the Swoon Of The ‘30s in the unabashed romanticism that runs through The Forever House’s enticing blend of heart-tugging ballads, trumpolin-sporting sunshine pop and unexpected experimental flourishes. “I got into that whole pre-war jazz thing through my gran, really,” he explains. “She used to go to the Savoy and dance. She asked me a while back, do you and your friends meet up for cocktails before you go dancing? Well, you know gran, sort of.”
I finally finished up a project I have been working on closely with my homie DJ Trippin' over the past few months. The idea was to take a handful of my freestyles, studio tracks, and b-sides I've recorded over the last year and combine them all to a 1 track mix. All mixing, scratching, and juggling was performed by DJ Trippin'. The effort is available for high quality download by clicking the cover below!
Hey Luke Where are you? When are you gong on tour again? I love your music, your voice is truly amazing and i also love your musical influences. Freddy is the coolest bohemian rhapsody is my all time favourite song! Anyway I'll love ya and leave ya hope this finds you well susan x
Smoke Feathers have been invited to play at the INDY Music Awards media launch and short list announcement party on Wednesday April 2nd 7pm at the Rock Garden, Covent Garden, London.
It’s no guarantee that we have been shortlisted for the final, but we hope it is a good sign....
Luke! Where are you? Is it true about what they say? Have you gone to play for the UN troops in Sudan? Good work my friend. Look after yourself out there.
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