5 Fast Ones… with Tom Walker
GP checks in with singer Tom Walker, 26, about touring, tipples and tributes. His new single Leave A Light On is out now.
You recently toured with The Script. What was your most memorable moment?
In Nebraska, there was a gas station full of T-shirts with slogans like, “Don’t hate guns, hate your government taking guns away”. We took pictures and got some bad looks, so left as we feared we might get shot!
Ed Sheeran’s producer Steve Mac recently praised you on live radio. How did that feel?
They asked him, “Who is going to do well this year?” then he f***ing says my name. I was driving down the motorway absolutely buzzing.
What did you do before singing?
I was a photo booth attendant. I went to corporate parties, set up the booth, looked after rich, drunk people for hours, then packed it away in my Renault Clio… in five massive flight cases.
Do you have any rituals before going on stage?
I got ill recently and was struggling vocally, so I rang up a mate and she was like, “Have a glass of port”. I had two and was back on top form. It’s turned into a little tradition.
Tell us what inspired your new song?
It’s about one of my mates losing his head a bit, and us having to have a serious word. My auntie also passed away. I wanted to write something for my family and pals to say, “I know we’re going through s*** now but, as long as we stick together, it’s all cool”.
Author: Tom Stichbury
