Tom Bailey - Launched into space and interviewed by Music Trespass

November 2018

Tour, UK

Pop from the 80's to Electronic Space music!!!

Dan Devour got to chat to 80's legend Tom Bailey (Thompson Twins)

Music Trespass: What does the word 'Science Fiction' mean to you?

Tom Bailey: I'm not a fan of Science Fiction stories in particular, but I love the way they use the future to talk about the present... that's a great trick.

Music Trespass: I watched the great video for 'What kind of World', which looks like you have started off how you left things with Thompson Twins. I think this track has a bit of a Howard Jones vibe to it, are you a big fan of his work? and what instruments did you use on the new record?

Tom Bailey: Howard and I are friends and, of course, I admire his works. He was partly responsible for convincing me to get back in the saddle after so many years away from Pop music.

Music Trespass: If you could send one of your songs into space on the shuttle, which one would you pick... and why would you pick it?

Tom Bailey: There are several songs on the album with star gazing or cosmological themes. Any would do, but I think 'Feels like love to Me' might be the deepest..... so let's go with that.

Music Trespass: You did the new album through PledgeMusic, do you think sites like Pledge give an artist... more artistic freedom to produce an album that they want to produce?

Tom Bailey: Yes, Pledge has been a great answer to the problem of the collapse in record sales across the music business.It helps an artist to connect with their fans, who are their true supporters, rather than a record company.

Music Trespass: Do you use a different process, when writing songs for your solo album...than you would use when writing a new Thompson Twins song and are their going to be any new Thompson Twins music coming out in the near future?

(I really loved the 90's Dance vibe to 'Queer' that even verged on the Happy Mondays / Stone Roses and The Shamen in places. Actually one of my favourite of the Thompson Twins album)

Tom Bailey: I think I used similar processes writing this album as back in the Thompson Twins days. The main differences being that I did this completely on my own, and that computer technology has allowed me to do most of the work outside of a studio. So I write and record wherever I am.Quite a lot was written in hotel rooms, or the back of the bus.

Music Trespass: Of course 'Play with Me' was over twenty five years ago, why do you think it has taken so long to release new music?

Tom Bailey: Although I've been away from mainstream Pop music for a couple of decades, I never stopped making music.After the success of the Thompson Twins, I decided to give time to less obvious creative challenges which I had put to one side because I'd been so busy.Then the opposite happened, and these labours of love which were never going to be seen in the charts kept me busy for twenty years.

Music Trespass: Your touring with Culture Club, who always put on a big show. Can we expect a space age show for the tour, and do you have any special elements you can tell us about?

Tom Bailey: Yes, Culture Club's show is amazing. We do our bit, too. It's good to play with band where there are similarities, but contrasts, too.
I feel that while George leans towards the soul sound, I touch more upon electronica.

Music Trespass: Do you think it's hard to re-produce your sound live, and what little secrets to doing this can you tell us?

Tom Bailey: What we do live is technically very complex, but it comes down to the strength of the songs and the ability of the musicians to carry them.I'm lucky that I have a few hits up my sleeve - and a band of incredibly talented players.