Tom West Launches Debut Album with Aussie Shows

I became enamoured with Tom West when I heard his first single “Jonathan’s Farm” in May. Back then I said his album was sure to be something special. We get to find out when Tom tours his first-long player A Spark in the Dark around the country.

That song, and the follow-up “Malecón” unfold slowly, taking their time to draw us in. Perhaps that’s not surprising, as the album took some time to come together too. Tom spent a year travelling and writing songs before heading in to the studio with fellow Adelaide musicians Alister Douglas and Todd Sibbin. I use the term studio loosely, but really the trio worked together in a shed equipped with two microphones and a laptop. That gives these tracks a really raw, organic quality which is so appealing.

Tom’s been playing solo shows locally and around North America for the first half of the year, but he thought it only fitting that he take Alister and Todd on the road with him for the A Spark in the Dark shows.

21 August 2013 – Folk Club @ The Soda Factory, Sydney
22 August 2013 –The Great Northern, Newcastle
23 August 2013 –The Aztec, Forster
24 August 2013 –The Hideaway, Brisbane
25 August 2013 –The Evelyn, Melbourne
30 August 2013 –The Hotel Metro, Adelaide

Tom West Tours “Jonathan’s Farm”

Allow yourself to be charmed by the simplicity of Tom West’s debut single “Jonathan’s Farm.” Head over to Triple J’s Unearthed page where you can stream it, and download a free copy.

This is music as it should be, with expert fingerpicking of an acoustic guitar and lyrics that set such a vivid scene. If this single’s any indication, Tom’s album A Spark in the Dark will be a real treat when it hits stores in August.

Fans can get a sneak peek of some of the songs when Tom tours the single around the country. That launch tour kicks off for his hometown fans in Adelaide this Sunday night.

19 May 2013 – Grace Emily Hotel, Adelaide
5 June 2013 – The Front Bar, Canberra
6 June 2013 – Dowse Bar, Brisbane
7 June 2013 – The Newsagency, Sydney
8 June 2013 – The Grace Darling Hotel, Melbourne
4 July 2013 – Ya Ya’s, Perth

Image source: Tom West website