Takamine Guitars

Tom mcrae

This roller-coaster ride of overnight success culminated in the release of his debut album on U.K independent, DB Records. Nominated for several awards (Q magazine, Brit, Mercury) the album rapidly captured the attention of a record buying public who were still prepared to scavenge among the back racks of dusty stores that still bothered to stock non-commercial records. To this day, however, many are still unaware that Tom has released three records, but such is the nature of signing a world-wide deal with a major label who then fail to release said record around the world. He is apparently not bitter.

The new album, All Maps Welcome, is currently released in the UK/Europe and will hopefully be available in the US soon. Here's what Tom has said about the record:

"It's a big, broken-hearted record, full of sad but ultimately uplifting songs. I haven't ventured far from my chosen path of minor key melody and melancholy lyrics, but this time it's full of love songs, rather than songs about murdering people."

"Sometimes you take a wrong turn in life and find yourself in strange place. 'adds Tom, "but when you're off the map you begin to make interesting discoveries about yourself, this album is a combination of enjoying this strange new world whilst wishing still for a sense of home." Whatever the hell that means.

The album was made in a big house on a hill in Silverlake, Los Angeles, where Tom lived for a year. Los Angeles, that is, not the big house. The sunlight was supposed to make him happier and enable him to write a hit song. It didn't. He doesn't mind.

Some members of Beck's old band played on the album, which was produced by Tom McRae and Joe Chicarelli. Joe had previously worked on such artists as Ricki Lee Jones, American Music Club, Clem Snide etc. He is one of the great engineer/producers operating today. According to him. Tom agrees.

To find out more make sure you visit www.tommcrae.com