INTERVIEW W/ Tom A Smith: “There’s a lot of reflection, but also hope in this body of work”!

Tom A. Smith’s freshly released EP ‘Put On A Record Tommy’ is a thrilling record that cannot be defined by just one genre. With a touch of Disco, funky Synth-Pop, and Indie charm, Smith takes us on a journey that explores the changes that take place as you become a young adult, through the lens of the dancefloor.

In this interview, Smith discusses his musical evolution, detailing how this EP differs from his 2025 release, ‘Say What You Want’, highlights from his exciting headline tour, and why having his music pressed on vinyl is important to him. Smith also opens up about his upcoming move into the acting world, where he will play a character inspired by the musical legend Dave Stewart. 

Photo credit: Katie Anderson

Q. Can you tell us a little about the idea behind the EP title?  

 A. “The title track of the EP is ‘Put On A Record Tommy’. I only really knew the EP was done when I wrote this track. I knew instantly that it would be the title track and it has such a fitting name for a body of work”. 

Q. What are the overarching lyrical themes running through the 6 tracks?  

A. “Though a lot of the sonics of the EP will have you straight to the dance floor, the overriding themes of the lyrics are that of insecurity and confidence. I talk a lot about the changes of becoming a young adult and how your responsibilities shift and you look at things differently. There’s a lot of reflection, but also hope in this body of work”. 

Q. How do you feel this EP differs from your 2025 EP 'Say What You Want'? 

A. “I feel this EP is a lot more honest than my last EP. The reaction to the first EP was totally overwhelming and I think it gave me the confidence to experiment even more with this collection of tracks. There's more of a story with this EP and a focus on its lyricism”. 

Q. How important was it to you to have the EP available on vinyl? How does that moment feel when you get to hold your own record in your hands for the first time? 

 A. “The best way to listen to music is always vinyl, and there is no better feeling for an artist than to see songs you’ve been working on in a physical form. My first ever vinyl was only pressed for my last EP, so this is still really new for me, and the excitement of it is still there”. 

 Q. Which tracks from the EP are you most looking forward to playing on tour and why?

 A. “We have just got off a headline tour and played a lot of these new tracks in our set. Playing ‘Put On A Record Tommy’ has been so much fun (and that was before it was even out). Rowetta, who features on the track, made a few live appearances with us on the tour which made for some incredibly memorable moments. Playing ‘The Band’ was really special to me as well. We closed the set with it, and the response it received was amazing. I think it will be a staple in our headline sets for quite a while”. 

Q. How are you feeling about playing Eurythmics' star Dave Stewart in the upcoming musical memoir? Do you feel a pressure to portray an icon in a fitting manner?  

A. “I’m really excited to be part of this movie. Dave Stewart is an absolute legend not only here in Sunderland but in the world of music. The character is loosely based on Dave, so from chats I’ve had with him and crew there is a little more freedom to make the character my own. I always enjoy having a new challenge and I feel confident about it”. 

Q. Why do you feel you're right for the role?  

A. “Being a young adult from Sunderland who grew up experiencing the music scene here, I know first-hand how amazing and rich in culture it is. I can relate to the movie's themes and characters at a local level, and talking to Dave about it, I feel it’s a great opportunity for me and I think it’s a great fit”. 

Q. Are you looking forward to making your acting debut? Is it something you'd like to do more of in the future?  

A. “Though this is something completely new to me, I’m looking forward to it. I think it’s something I’m going to really enjoy and who knows where it might take me next”.