This week: TOM ROSENTHAL
Tom Rosenthal is a singer/songwriter from London Town who makes lovely new world folk music.
I first came across Tom Rosenthal after a tip off from a friend (thanks Lewis) a couple of weeks ago. My late night slumber was perfectly soothed by his melancholy song ‘The Depressed Milkman’ so I wrote a little FOTN piece about it here.
Tom’s sound has been described as… “A singer-songwriter who pens beautifully understated, intricately arranged and quirky tales about boys who struggle with tinned fish and people who read the Communist Manifesto in the tub to cheer themselves up” and Mr Paul Gambaccini no less declared of his album “The best album by a British male artist I’ve heard this year. A refreshing and captivating sound sculptor”.
It’s Tom’s appreciation for mood, texture, thoughtful lyrics and left of centreness in his songs that gripped me. Plus the fact that his recordings sound like they were recorded in a lovely country church.
I could throw names into the ring that Tom’s music/voice might suggest a flavour of – if for but a second or two: Mumford & Sons, Ben Howard, Andrew Bird or a Male English version of Regina Spektor. But he’s more his own man – sitting at a wonderful angle all of his own making. He does “unique” very well indeed.
How would I describe him? How about Special, Melancholy, Emotional, Tender, Different, Thought-provoking and Heartwarming… yeah that’s about right for a start. Do yourself some good and get some Tom Rosenthal in your life!
Tom’s first album is available now and is called ‘Keep a Private Room Behind the Shop’ and he is currently working on the follow-up. Check out his Website & Facebook and he also offer’s free downloads of lots of his tracks on his Soundcloud page.
1. What are you up to at the moment?
Trying to write as many songs as possible and making videos for the songs that are ok. Today i’m attempting to find a milkman to star in a video about a milkman.
2. Favourite childhood memory?
Egg and spoon race. A naked victory. Followed by a light salad based lunch.
3. Hero?
Oliver Postgate.
4. Villain?
Joey Barton is my favourite panto villain.
5. What/who makes you laugh?
I once read an interview in which an Argentinian author was asked ‘what’s your favourite word?’ to which she replied, entirely seriously – “it’s not a word, it’s the universal sound of children laughing”. That was funny.
6. Describe what you do?
I write songs of varying shapes, sizes and quality.
7. Who’s hair would you like to have for just one day?
Whoopi Goldberg
8. Best musical experience to date
Playing the piano in the dark, alone.
9. What artist inspires you?
Michael Kirkman.
10. What does Fresh On The Net mean to you?
From what I can see it seems to focus on the interesting new things – and that’s never a bad thing.
