Tommy Newport
I’m just going to go straight to the point here by saying Tommy Newport is making my blog looks cool. I always make sure the artist I feature is a true Artist with a real identity and an interesting story. And of course, the music needs to be phenomenal and timeless. Tommy Newport is one of these artists. I honestly think this guy is going to be one of the greatest out there and getting to discover him now is pretty exciting.
So make sure to check him out if you haven’t yet and if you already know him, then make sure to keep supporting him. I’m sure he has some big records to offer this year :)
Go stream “Yellow Lines” (it is a smash !!) and go watch the music video now :)
Introduce yourself - what's your story?
I was born in the UK in 1999, in Cumbria. Bounced around northern England from Barrow to Bolton until my father’s work landed us in the States in 2006. I remember as early as 2004 having a portable CD player with the headphones listening to The Killers first release Hot Fuss. My parents had seen them In a 100 cap room at Manchester Uni student union and brought CDs back. I thought about being a rockstar all my life but it wasn't until 2014 in Wichita, Kansas, where my best friend Braede who was a great guitar player (acoustic John Mayer, Fish inspired fingerpicking style) started showing me the ropes. We had a love for music and he urged me on to pick up his secondary Sunburst Austin guitar, even letting me take it home. He taught me a few fingerpicking patterns and basic chords. I ran with that, 6-7 hours a day I was playing and had a real love for it. The following year I was back in the UK to see my family and my Uncle Dave gifted me my first electric - an Epiphone Les Paul. Once back in the US, I began drafting my first songs, learning Logic Pro X, production & recording. Within a year I had recorded and released my first DIY project, “So Long And Thanks”, under the name Milmine at 16 years old. It grew to have millions of streams. From there, 4th Pyramid, my now partner in music, discovered me out of Toronto and we quickly got to work under my new name, Tommy Newport, and set out to properly plan my future and record more high fidelity music together. Within a year we grew a new audience, amassed millions of streams and now I’m here today starting to really see the fruits of my labour.
How would you define Tommy Newport, the artist?
I’m determined and driven towards a legacy that sticks around forever. These days are my early days. So if you’re supporting me now then you know, you are with me like I was with the Killers for Hot Fuss. I will become something great, the greats. I've always been fixated on a legacy, Idiocracy, emulation.
"Yellow Lines" is your new single - what made you want to release "Yellow Lines" as the first single of the year?
Schedules haha. No, although a lot of the releases are planned very long before, Yellow Lines wasn't actually supposed to make it out on its own single. I think we discussed that it just felt like it needed its own moment before the EP. It’s a special one!
What's the story/inspiration behind this single?
This single is inspired by The Rolling Stones and the “Some Girls” LP. It may not sound like a Stones song but, I’m not spaced out floating in 70s Britannia & rock and roll, I’m just sitting In my dining room studio in Midwest America. I did the best I could to embody my inspiration. The story tells the feeling of losing focus on the highway and getting a polite bumpy reminder to keep your eyes on the road when you ever so slightly cross over the yellow lines. It’s a cliche & fitting metaphor for some aspects of my life. To wake up, don’t slip across the yellow line that is life. The video will depict that sentiment as well. It’s fast paced, fun, and easy going watch.
Who helped you create this single? When did you start working on it?
I began working on Yellow Lines early last year. When 4th, my manager and co-producer, and I aren't in the same city the process is just me on my own everytime, starting an idea and recording usually a full length demo cut. I’ll send him over the files to open up so he can add his own flares and techniques and oftentimes new layers and he fully mixes and masters the records. All but one song in my catalog has involved more than just the two of us.
What's your favorite thing about this song?
It’s the chorus for me. I love the visuals it gives me. I picture a very perfect heist like something out of an Edgar Wright film. It's got a lot of punch and groove.
What can you tell us about the visuals for "Yellow Lines"?
I was listening to the Stones a lot, and was watching their 1968 “Sympathy for the Devil” documentary which was a very political abstract film stitched alongside the Stones simply recording their famous single “Sympathy for the Devil”. I wasn't trying to emulate that in the video but I wanted it to give a message the same way. It is a simple message and a simple video.
What lessons have you learned since the beginning of your career?
There are bags of answers for this. The only way I can keep it short and sweet is to say the best lesson I learned is to expect to learn lots of lessons. Sounds like a cop out but definitely be prepared for lots of lessons, good or bad.
What is the proudest moment of your career so far?
I am proud of so many things I've accomplished. Too many to pick one. I guess I’m proud that I can actually consider it a job these days, there's lots of work left to do but it's really nice being fortunate enough to sustain myself with this alone, that's all I ever wanted.
As an artist, what are the biggest struggles?
I think this whole industry is a struggle in its worst moments. But on the opposite end you get to accomplish amazing things and see amazing places and do things I could never have dreamed I would be doing. So it all works out.
What are your thoughts on today's music industry? If you could change one thing, what would it be?
I think it's indescribable. There are now more paths to success than ever before. You can be charting on billboard from your parents basement, you know. I think boundaries are being pushed, the power dynamics are becoming progressive, steering away from its conservative structure. I am happy with it, it's in the early stages of a new era.
What advice would you give to young artists?
Expect the least and hope for the best, be consistent, be inspired, have a vision. Just be self aware, add to the culture, embody the culture. Get inspired by all forms of art and stand out. People are looking for you all day everyday, so don't focus on getting found or going viral. Focus on making art that nobody in their right mind can pass up sharing or getting involved.
What do you want to accomplish professionally and personally?
I just want to keep moving forward, keep having big successes, keep growing and hopefully become someone everyone remembers in many years. I hope I can leave a big mark on this industry.
What biggest life lessons have you learned in 2020?
Health is wealth, love yourself. I began to admire the little things.
What are your goals for 2021?
I want to continue to grow as an artist, create meaningful music and keep this legacy rolling.
What message do you want to give to the world?
Good luck with your endeavors! Never give up on them.
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