| I know I believe in nothing, but it's.... |
| My Nothing. |
| Page last updated; 5th May 2003 |
| Biography |
| Tom McRae (real name; Jeremy Blackall) aged 34 and born on ?? grew up in either Norfolk, Essex or Suffolk and studied Journalism at Harlow College, before unleashing his song-writing greatness on the world. �For me, a song has to succeed in a way that no other art form can. It has to hit that transcendent moment. That�s what music is all about, getting that moment where you don�t know why you�re laughing or crying or dancing, but it�s nailed you and no-one knows how or what or why." If this man can achieve that in 3 minutes then I don�t really think I need to listen to another artist ever again. Tom has released two albums, full, of transcendent moments. The heart-wrenching honesty in the lyrics cannot be ignored and I am yet to hear of anyone who hasn�t been moved by them. His music can uplift and depress in the same breath, his lyrics can touch you in a way you never thought possible, and the climaxes? Oh the climaxes!� Nominated for the Mercury Music Prize for his debut album, Tom McRae, and figuring in the end-of-year top 10�s in The Observer, Sunday Telegraph, Sunday Times, Independent and Q it was clear early on in Tom�s career he was something extra special. Brit nominations also, inevitably, followed. Just like Blood, the follow up album (follow up in only in the sense it came after, 2 and a half years after�) took it all a step further. It�s darker, stronger, and more passionate (see discography for review) and Tom could very easily be mistaken for a bit of a one subject bloke, interview and certain areas on the official site show Tom has plenty to say. One paper described him as �Quietly spoken, modest and engaging, witty and perceptive, intelligent but uncompromising.� which does seem to cover everything, and is repeatedly confirmed by fans who have met him and the statements Tom makes. The man, the genius, the God, the idol that Tom is, is perhaps best described in his own words; �Waking up has always been traumatic for me, I'm not the sort who bounces out of bed reaches for his guitar and his cornflakes and goes off to write a pop song. However, scientists are currently researching into the possibilities of me ever writing a happy song, and while my record company remain hopeful, I'm not holding my breath. Of course if Tony Blair and George Bush died in a car crash (probably colliding with Clare Short's fast reversing vehicle) then the overwhelming joy would probably have to be recorded in song.� �I've never understood not revealing yourself in a song. If it doesn't mean anything to me to sing, why would it mean anything to someone listening? People - journalists mainly - will always misunderstand or misrepresent you no matter what you do, so it's best not to think about it let alone be scared by it� And if that wasn�t enough? There is proof he does smile, you just need to give him the right thing to smile at. What exactly would that be, I hear you cry, well; �small children falling over, Bob Marley's voice on Rebel Music, and a sunset at 37,000 feet |