Our Artist of the Month (ATOM)… introducing: Thomas Sykes
coming after 2020/21 when we didn’t really know what would happen and if we would ever be able to perform for audiences again, or if crowds would ever come to shows, to be playing 18 shows on tour and seeing the energy and love of people for the music and the vibe was amazing. It kind of re-affirmed my love for doing this
Essntial: Tell us a little about your music and the direction of your sound?
TS: I primarily make dance music with a pop edge. Something that you would hear in the clubs or at a festival but also at the same time you could hear it on the radio – That’s the kind of sound I am always aiming for. I’m deep into making new singles at the moment to follow up on the one that has just been released.
Essntial: Where are you based and why do you live there?
TS: I grew up in Athens , Greece but I am now based in Berlin, Germany. It is a great city for anything to do with art and expression and for sure it’s an inspiring place to make music. There are so many artists to collaborate with here and Sony Music Germany is also here in the city, I just signed my new single there to the dance label “Nitron” with A&R Arie Burshtein. I am also touring a lot in Poland and so it is great to be based close by (Germany and Poland share a border).
Essntial: What are your musical aims for 2023? Any upcoming releases?
TS: I’d like to continue releasing songs that I can perform live at my shows, that get the crowd moving but also have really cool storylines and messages within them, so really proper songwriting alongside the classic dance appeal. A solo tour could be coming (with eastwest events) alongside the other shows I do with other artists, and I can’t wait to be back on the summer stages.
I missed doing visuals for my tracks, as I have always felt a music video can really take you deeper into the song if it is done right, so I’d like to do many more this year – I just shot a video yesterday with Chany Dakota for a single we have alongside Mark F. Angelo and that was a lot of fun. Watch out for it coming soon.
Essntial: And what has been the highlight so far in your career? Maybe one of the live shows?
TS: I’ve been nominated for awards, appeared at amazing events and had some really huge singles. But I think this last summer (2022) was something special, coming after 2020/21 when we didn’t really know what would happen and if we would ever be able to perform for audiences again, or if crowds would ever come to shows, to be playing 18 shows on tour and seeing the energy and love of people for the music and the vibe was amazing. It kind of re-affirmed my love for doing this, I’ve spent all of my adult life living my life based around music and being a singer / songwriter – with all the sacrifices and ups and downs that come with it, but this felt like the start of something new and has led on to so many dope opportunities for 2023 and beyond.
Essntial: What Is the one instrument/plugin you can’t live without?
TS: Too many to mention, but honestly I feel like my guitars (Ovation, Gibson Les Paul Jr) and the MacBook Pro with Logic Pro X give me the possibility to create, and I can use them in the most simple or complex setups.
Essntial: Who are you ones to watch in 2023?
TS: Definitely would have to say Arpad, Amely, Robbie Rundle, Quarterhead and two artists I saw who graced this Essential AOTM before me, LO & Mark F. Angelo.
Refs:
Arpad: https://www.instagram.com/iamthomassykes/
Amely Cake: https://www.instagram.com/amelycake_/
Quarterhead: https://www.instagram.com/quarterhead/
Robbie Rundle: https://www.instagram.com/robbierundle/
Thomas Sykes’ new single “Tainted” is out now from NITRON / Sony Music Germany – Click here and listen!