Tom Walker: 'I lost my way with music'

Scottish star Tom Walker’s debut album sold three million copies globally, but he struggled to follow it up with another successful release.

The Scottish star Tom Walker debut album sold three million copies worldwide. Following it up proved harder.

“If I could genuinely fake it, I would,” repeats the refrain in Tom Walker’s latest single, “Freaking Out,” offering a glimpse into the anxiety that engulfs him, creating a sense of isolation even in the presence of friends.

Confessing to feeling out of his depth, the Scottish singer uploaded the song to TikTok last year, resonating instantly with listeners. Comments flooded in expressing deep connection, with one fan noting, “Story of my life,” and another sharing, “As someone recently diagnosed with autism and ADHD, this is spot on.”

While “Freaking Out” may not have climbed the top 40 charts or matched the streaming numbers of Walker’s major hits like “Leave A Light On” and “Just You And I,” the significance lies in the emotional impact it has on listeners.

Walker values the personal connections forged through his music more than chart success. “One of the most beautiful things as a songwriter is when people feel the song is written for them,” he reflects. The profound reactions from fans, including tears in the front row, highlight the deep connection that music can foster.

The significance is heightened because Walker, at one point, had lost this profound relationship with music.

Raised in Knutsford, near Manchester, though originally born in Kilsyth, North Lanarkshire, he immersed himself in music during his early years, bonding with his father over records from Ray Charles, The Police, and Foo Fighters.

Mastering drums, guitar, piano, and bass through self-teaching, he pursued songwriting at London’s College of Contemporary Music, marking the beginning of his own releases in 2016.

Initially, he sustained himself by juggling part-time roles as a photo-booth operator and distributing cycling safety leaflets for London Transport. However, his life took a swift turn when influential New York DJ Elvis Duran selected Walker as his “artist of the month” in 2017, granting him a coveted spot on NBC television’s Today Show.

The following year, Walker’s powerful, hip-hop-infused anthem “Leave A Light On” dominated charts worldwide, and his debut album, “What A Time To Be Alive,” achieved remarkable success with three million copies sold. His achievements culminated in winning the Best Breakthrough Artist award at the Brit Awards.

The pressure to produce a follow-up album quickly intensified, but just as the demand mounted, the pandemic struck.

Reflecting on that period, Walker acknowledges, “I should have taken some time off.” Despite spending five years touring a highly successful album, he hadn’t spent much time with friends or his partner. Instead of allowing himself a break, he felt the urgency to create the next album.

During the lockdown, he attempted to organize online writing sessions, but the experience turned out to be grueling. “Five hours on a Zoom call. It’s the worst thing you can imagine,” he laments. The virtual sessions involved an extended back-and-forth of melodies, leaving him feeling rushed and eager for the meeting to end.

In an attempt to meet expectations, he found himself hastily completing sessions, leading to dissatisfaction from both his record label and himself. Walker discloses, “I binned an album’s worth of stuff. I lost my way with music. I fell out of love with it during that process.”

As the world began to open up again, Walker faced challenges during his re-entry into the music scene. His first post-lockdown gig was an outdoor event with strict social distancing measures, where fans were confined to square boxes on the grass, maintaining a distance of 20 feet from each other.

Despite rigorous preparation, Walker encountered the early stages of a panic attack on stage, leading to mistakes in the lyrics and an overall performance that didn’t meet his standards. Despite these setbacks, he persevered.

Throughout the following year, Walker released several singles, including “Number 10,” a protest song fueled by his anger over the “partygate” scandal, and “The Best Is Yet To Come,” a romantic tribute to his now-wife, Annie Watson-Foulds, whom he married in April 2023.

Only last spring did he truly find his groove. Struck by an unexpected wave of inspiration, he composed the majority of his second album, “I Am,” within a mere three weeks.

The fresh content exhibits a raw and rhythmic quality not characteristic of the earlier Walker. The record boasts a dizzying expansiveness with its multi-layered vocals and deep electronic basslines, yet amidst the musical tumult, his humanity remains palpable.

Describing the album as “depressing with an undertone of hope,” the singer delves into some profound lyrical depths. “Burn” serves as a passionately charged response to record label executives who criticized his earlier work, while “Head Under Water” stands as a resilient anthem, narrating the triumph over panic attacks.

Walker’s poignant song, “Lifeline,” emerged from the depths of personal tragedy when he unexpectedly lost a dear friend. Over muted piano chords, he expresses the heartfelt wish that intervention could have saved his friend: “I wish we could have saved you… I wish you knew you had a lifeline.”

Contemplating whether to release the song, Walker grappled with the fear of resurfacing painful memories for those affected. He questioned the impact a song could truly make, despite witnessing the powerful response to his previous work, like “Leave A Light On,” dedicated to a friend battling drug addiction. Recognizing the limitations of mere messages, he expressed a desire to collaborate with organizations like the Samaritans or Calm, ensuring that discussions about mental health come with access to qualified advice.

The inclusion of “Lifeline” in his upcoming album came with the blessing of his friend’s family, as Walker realized the importance of sharing such experiences, as long as it doesn’t distress those directly involved.

Addressing sensitive topics with grace, Walker’s music resonates with compassion, consistently uncovering rays of hope and happiness within the shadows. Reflective of his character, he humorously acknowledges the challenges of his second album and approaches the future with cautious optimism.

When discussing his wife, his face beams with joy. Describing her as his “guardian angel,” he recounts how they met on a ski trip, where she fell in love with his dubstep dance moves during his penniless musician days.

Their Christmas was spent watching the Die Hard movies in an unconventional order as he prepares for a significant comeback in 2024. Despite a five-year hiatus since his first album and a perceived lack of recent top 20 hits, concerns about his audience disappearing proved unfounded. His upcoming headline tour in April has already sold out in four cities, and additional dates are continually being added.

Returning to his roots in cycling safety, he plans to make his way to many venues on two wheels. Explaining the practicality of scooters in navigating areas inaccessible to a large bus, he eagerly anticipates the tour and the adventures it will bring.