Article for
DPS
I Predict A
RIOT!!!!
(Kicker)
Growing up
with a family of seven in Crickhowell, playing music among other things were
ways to escape the madness of having such a large family, Tomos Jones gave us
the chance to explore his background and where he is today.
During a rather cold day in March with the leaves barely on
the tree, meeting him at his requested location seem like a rather interesting
way to talk, arriving at the Melville Centre was a change of scenery from recording studios, cafés and the
occasional pub, but there he was, sat down on the cobble steps leading up to
the Centre, wearing informal clothing, jeans, leather jacket and a t-shirt
underneath and his quiff slightly hanging down over his eyes, it just seemed
that he was attuned with this building, after heading inside and him making
coffee, he gave a quick history lesson
“This used to be a school or more specifically a grammar
school” His tone engaging but never dreary “But then it was converted then in a
theatre used by amateur actors along with semi-professional music but that was rare,
especially when they had to pay just to keep it open because of cuts… ”
After finishing the lesson and a quick minute of sorting out
his hair so that it was no longer in his eyes, a grin appeared shortly after
realising how long he took, he soon went on about how he had gotten into the
music business
“The reason I know so much about this building is because,
‘surprise’, I used to act here” he chuckled with a boyish laugh that could make
anyone smile
“For quite a while actually along with being in a band which
published an EP but that didn’t go anywhere as everyone spilt to go to ‘Uni’ … but
in some productions for the theatre group, they asked for my music ‘instinct’ and so obliged
“ Fond memory flowing through his mind as the grin changes to a toothy smile
“But for those wondering of my inspiration for my music, the
simple answer would be video games along with other artists, of course”
He said rather bluntly, knowing that most people wouldn’t
know “My first album ‘The Final Few’ were inspired by Naughty Dog’s The Last of
Us and my new album ‘Legion’ inspired by a Blizzard game “ he shook as his head
knowing that it was stupid to produce music inspired by video game but this is
his second album, with ‘The Final Few’ selling more than half a million in the
first week, being successful for a rather unknown artist, which had skyrocketed
his career was his song ‘Defiant Hound ‘ yet again inspired by the company who
created The Last of Us
“It was a hobby to begin with, I SWEAR!” he holds his hands
up to have an emphasis “I had no intent to become famous and especially be
crowned ‘The Champion of Rock’” shaking his head at such a ridicules title in
his mind
“Additionally with having the most common surname in Wales
and practically the same name as the most famous Welsh singer” not giving any
hints, he eyes showing his annoyance that he has the same name as Tom Jones but
still with a smile
“But that is why I go by just Tomos so I am not confused with
him, no bad feeling towards naturally and also that is why I choose to do Rock
music, not only to make a divide between us but also because of like, Kaiser
Chiefs and Foo Fighter ”
After another minute of him sorting out his hair as I had yet
again fallen over his eyes, he resumes “Back to the present, the new album
‘legion’ will be having a more sombre tone for my album, due to my practice and
studying from my time in ‘Uni’ and I took this root because then you really
listen to the music and the lyrics and everything that actually takes to make ‘really
solid’ music” his rock side coming out “Some may say that this is Soft Rock and
I have changed forever but
there are still a
few Hard Rock songs for those that want to head bang until they are unconscious
“His smile widening even more at the idea but quickly butts into his own
talking “Also Franz Ferdinand, sorry… forgot about them!” referring back to who
inspired him with a sheepish smile
“The Future?” a confused
look on his face appeared instantly “How would I know what is in the future, I
could become ‘old news’ and a
new ‘Tomos’ could spring out of Aberdeen and take all the ‘lime light’
but … that wouldn’t be all bad” He explains “Like I said, I didn’t want to be
famous or successful in the music business and doing it as a job seems to take
the fun out of it, as when writing this album, I enjoyed doing it because of
the games companies making the games that I love but that is the only reason I
did it and keep doing it today” a secret revealed yet still hidden “But that is
for the future as you say” he climbs out of the chair he had been sat in to go
clean up the mugs, just from this simple action, it shows his humbler side and
the true nature of Tomos Jones, the champion of Rock
What is highlighted is possible pull quotes that I could use through the actual double page spread
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