„Thomas George ist ein einsamer Wolf“. Wie oft musste der Alles-Tuer von The Lion & The Wolf wohl schon diese dämliche Metapher lesen. Hinter der traurigen Musik von Tom, die gleichwohl im Band- als auch Soloformat funktioniert, steckt deutlich mehr. Mit seinem zweiten Album „The Cardiac Hotel“ hat es den Briten kürzlich sogar nach Japan verschlagen. Im Chat spricht er über seine dortigen Erfahrungen, Touren in Deutschland, die Arbeit am nächsten Album, Songs, die er für andere Personen schreibt und seine Weihnachts-Akustik-Facebook-Session. Manchmal wird er dabei liebevoll von seinem Hund gestört. Ihr wollt The Lion & The Wolf vorher nochmal anhören? Dann am besten einmal HIER klicken. Und dann kann es auch schon losgehen.

that new music blog:
it’s good to have you thomas, or do you prefer me to cal you tom?
Thomas George:
Tom is fine, dude. Or TG, T-gizzle, TG Tips
that new music blog:
haha. are these your old chat-nicknames?
Thomas George:
oh man I’ve had so many nicknames since being a kid
Bigfoot was at school because of my height. Then Boy George at high school because of my sir name
that new music blog:
what was the worst one?
Thomas George:
Erm. Oh hang on let me think.
“Friendzone” by one of my best friends. You can probably figure out hwy
why* even.
that new music blog:
haha poor you!
I’ll stick with Tom I guess
Thomas George:
Works for me!
that new music blog:
hope you are doing fine, you had an alright day?
Thomas George:
Yeah man it’s been good thanks. I have paint all over my hands as I’ve spent the last two days painting the insides of a pub in my home town.
that new music blog:
oh man, poor laptop 🙂
Thomas George:
this thing has taken a battering over the years so it’s all good
how you finding Bath?
that new music blog:
haha, it’s cute – a little too small and not „fucked-up“ enough for me though
where are you staying right now? it’s not very far, no?
Thomas George:
Fair one. You ever been to the Isle of Wight? That’s where I am at the moment
that new music blog:
I haven’t, but I heard about it of course 🙂
the festival and stuff
Thomas George:
Yeah. The lineup this yeah is pretty atrocious
that new music blog:
so dude, you’re working already on a new album I hear. how’s that going?
Thomas George:
It’s still in it’s infancy really, I’ve been demoing at home and then sending the studio really rough mixes of what I want to do. But I’m really excited about it, it will be a pretty different approach to The Cardiac Hotel
that new music blog:
different in which way? 🙂
Thomas George:
I CAN’T REVEAL THE BIG SECRET
THE TWIST
The “ I DIDN’T EXPECT THAT”
that new music blog:
haha, but there is going to be one, that’s already good to know!
Thomas George:
yes it will be different from the previous two albums, for sure
that new music blog:
do you already have a time schedule in mind? I mean it’s only been half a year since the great „cardiac hotel“
Thomas George:
Yeah it’s crazy to think it’s only been 6 months
that new music blog:
a lot of things happened in those, that’s for sure!
Thomas George:
I guess with an album cycle there is always a time frame but I’m taking my time with this one. c v345x
(that end bit was my dog typing) fucks sake hahaha
that new music blog:
haha :p
so these last 6 months: you went to japan, man. how was that??
Thomas George:
Japan was great dude a real experience. I bumped my head on EVERYTHING
that new music blog:
I read that and laughed at every photo haha
Thomas George:
it was nuts
in the best way
great people and very cool to tour with Garrett and Andrew
that new music blog:
I’ve never been there, unfortunately. can you tell me something about the Japanese crowds?
Thomas George:
they are very respectful and listen intently.
And will turn up to a show dead on when the doors open and then stay the entire time. Very cool.
that new music blog:
wow! that’s something we don’t know from around here, for sure
Thomas George:
where are you from dude?
that new music blog:
did you encounter any music-related cultural differences? (apart from bumping your head)
ehh
from germany, a country you’ve visited a lot too 😉
Thomas George:
love it
yea I tour over there a lot. It’s still my fave place to tour. Although with Brexit now underway, once it’s actually happened it will be more difficult. Certainly for new bands to get out there easily.
that new music blog:
yeah, I was just gonna ask you about that. after the release you did A LOT of German dates with a full-band. why always Germany?
Thomas George:
That’s a good question.
I mean my first experience performing in Europe was in Germany so I suppose that has snowballed into my going back there so frequently. I also love the crowds, promoters and venues too. It’s a great place to tour.
that new music blog:
cool!
since you brought it up
now that Brexit is happening, do you actually know what will change for UK artists wanting to tour in the EU? I don’t but I would be really glad to know
Thomas George:
I’m pretty certain going into each country will mean a border check, VISA check and for all your merch to be counted. A lot like Switzerland. It will be far less straight forward than heading to the Eurotunnel and then you’re in France with an open road in front of you.
that new music blog:
ah yeah
it will be more difficult, that’s for sure
sadly
Thomas George:
It will and I feel very fortunate to have toured so much before this happened
that new music blog:
I actually discovered you in a super nice venue in Leipzig, the UT Connewitz – an old cinema
Thomas George:
a32
(dog again) FFS
can’t believed he managed to type an actual road name.
that new music blog:
you were supporting owls by nature back then, just by yourself with an acoustic guitar. how’s that different from your full band shows?
haha, love the dog’s typing!
Thomas George:
it is a fairly different dynamic for sure. It’s (obviously) far louder with more layers but I love performing solo and in full band mode equally.
that new music blog:
when you’re playing solo, are you on tour with any friends or people who help you? or is it actually just the main act’s crew (which could be friends too obviously)?
Thomas George:
The band I tour with are the people that recorded both LP’s with me so it’s great having them aboard. They’re all close friends from home so it’s always a good laugh too.
that new music blog:
and when you’re playing as a support act by yourself? 🙂
like in Japan for example or lately in the UK with Kevin Devine
Thomas George:
Yeah when I’m on my own it works too which is cool. I spent about two years or so touring solo so it’s something I feel well versed in. You learn a lot about yourself when you’re out there playing shows. I used to be such a scatty person and flake all the time but since doing TLATW I feel like i’ve ironed out quite a bit of that.
e.g. – once on the way to Hevy Fest in Kent I got on the train the wrong way and ended up at Gatwick airport. Did a 180 and managed to get there for my set by 2 minutes. I can’t do that shit anymore man, I’m 31 and needed to grow up.
that new music blog:
haha
sorry, but that just really made me laugh 😉
do you got any touring plans for this year (hopefully with you taking the good way in trains)
?
Thomas George:
haha
mate all good! Yes there are some dates I shall be announcing pretty soon and will be announcing something REALLY cool a bit later on in Spring!
that new music blog:
something connected to the REALLY BIG TWIST for the next album, maybe?
😉
Thomas George:
haha oh god I’ve hyped it up too much now, haven’t I?
that new music blog:
it’s going to be all over the news
Thomas George:
or possibly “SKYPED” it up too much
that new music blog:
haha
Thomas George:
🙁 I apologise. Couldn’t resist.
that new music blog:
ba dum ts
no worries!
another thing I really wanted to ask you. you launched this amazing project of you writing songs for other people.
how cool is that?
no seriously, how did it came to that?
Thomas George:
Ah yeah man that was a really fun thing to do. I was asked by a guy in the south to write a trilogy of songs for him / his fiancé and I was really honoured to be part of it. I recorded them all at home so they have that old school lo-fi TLATW thing going and he really loved them. He gave me the subject matter in an email and I moulded three songs out of them. I would love to do more, for sure!
that new music blog:
did you get any more „tasks“ or assignments for songs? 🙂
after doing that
Thomas George:
A lot of people sent me messages about their own experiences and how they’ve never been able to put down their feelings into song. I would love to do an EP of that nature, I think that would be pretty cool.
that new music blog:
that’s pretty cool!
how did you approach writing these songs?
what was the difference to your „usual“ song?
s
Thomas George:
the same I do with any really. I write a little riff or chord preog22wezzzA
that’s not a chord sequence that’s my bloody DOG
that new music blog:
🙂
and for the lyrics? were they quite explicit?
Thomas George:
and then put a melody over it singing about absolutely nothing that makes zero sense and then write the lyrics
yeah man some pretty deep stuff for this one guy
but because it’s not my story, or my experience I find it really easy to write
which is oddd
that new music blog:
that is odd
but a very cool idea!
right now, you’re doing flashback postings on Facebook. do you sometimes laugh when you watch old videos of yours?
Thomas George:
oh god yeah / cringe
I thought it was a cool idea though, to show people how I used to sound or whatever. It’s quite a bit different now I guess
that new music blog:
yeah
Thomas George:
Think there are about 10 videos out there or something
couple of sessions
that new music blog:
generally, you’re quite active on Facebook, instagram etc. answering people’s questions. why do you do that? 🙂
Thomas George:
I think it just comes down to common courtesy really. I often see bands that never reply to their fans and it’s a little disheartening, knowing your’e waiting for a response but never get a look in. I try to respond to everything. I just like interacting with people to be honest, even in the internet arena. If somebody likes my act / music the least I can do is respond.
that new music blog:
that is so nice and you’re totally right to do that
just had to say that! 😉
I totally loved the acoustic christmas session you did via facebook-live. how did you come to that idea?
Thomas George:
Thanks man. That was fun. I wanted to do something around Christmas time as it’s normally a quiet time of year for music and figured a live stream would be cool. The elevator illusion at the end was completely off the cuff though and I had a couple whiskeys beforehand because for some ridiculous reason I was really nervous.
that new music blog:
haha, were you more nervous than at a normal show?
Thomas George:
Yeah, way more nervous. I had never really done that before and there’s always the “what happens if this goes wrong” but luckily I think it went pretty good and the Home Alone team didn’t sue me for using their music.
that new music blog:
haha :p
how was the experience of giving an internet-only concert? I mean that is a total sci-fi-thing
Thomas George:
it’s so odd eh? It was good fun and I would definitely do it again. I think I may do soon with a new song actually. To premiere it like.
that new music blog:
that’s cool, I see more and more artists doing that
and love it
ok, tom, i got two total random musical questions left. just out of the blue
Thomas George:
Ok shoot!
that new music blog:
you and the song „i will follow you into the dark“ – what a story: you’ve covered it, your song „the pinching point“ is influenced by it. what does that death cab for cutie song give you?
Thomas George:
It was the first song I ever legally downloaded. (Co-incidentally the first song I ever illegally downloaded was OPM – “Heaven is a Halfpipe”. I just love that record by Death Cab and I can see the similarities!
that new music blog:
does it touch you emotionally?
ok, I think that is a dumb question haha
Thomas George:
no such thing!
It does, of course. It’s a fragile, perfectly put together song that is one of my favourites. Another similar one is White Daisy Passing my Rocky Votolato which has a similar vibe. Those two songs are pretty much what got me into playing acoustic guitar.
This dog is behaving so fucking badly
he keeps nudging my laptop
with his big fat head
that new music blog:
okay dude, one last thing: you’ve listed bon iver’s last record as your favorite of 2016: certainly not a happy piece of music, just like your own material. do you ever listen to uplifting, „happy“ music?
haha, we’re nearly done 🙂
and then he can get all your attention!
Thomas George:
Oh god yeah for sure. Early this week I was listening to Backstreet Boys greatest hits. Absolute pop bangers. 90s / early 00s pop is delicious to listen to. Particularly when you are cooking and just want a break from the normal misery 😉
SUGAR RAY
EVERY MORNING
that new music blog:
haha
nice!
Thomas George:
probably the greatest song of the 90s. Or Torn by Natalie Imbruglia
that new music blog:
cool, tom – this would be it from my side. hope you had some fun!
and thanks so much for doing this 🙂
Thomas George:
my pleasure man. Really cool!
I have to run now man I’m sorry I have a Briard to attend to
Thanks for this dude!
that new music blog:
thank you!!

Während ihr auf neue Tourdaten wartet, könnt ihr euch „My father’s eyes“ im aktuellen that new music mix anhören. 🙂