Tom Read

When words fail, music speaks!

[tomread]

Today is Martin Luther King Jr day, and so in honour of him I'm posting my final song from my project to write and record one song a year in 2015.

I don't know about you, but I don't think 2015 was a particularly good year. From terrorist attacks and war, to the biggest refugee crisis in history.  We've been sold fear, prejudice, and hatred by the media, politicians, presidential hopefuls, and other prominent leaders. All the while children are gunned down in their classrooms, and others are washed up on beaches.

The problems we are facing as a planet are huge, and I don’t pretend that there are any easy answers. The older I get, the less certain of things I become. I simply don’t have the words to explain away our problems. But I am sure of one thing: fear and hate are never the solution. History has proven it time and time again.

I’ve said before that I process life through music, and when I write songs I like to ask myself questions. Some of you may find the images in this video offensive, either for what they depict, or for what they represent. I think that’s ok. We should be offended by images of violence, hatred, and war, and we should be asking ourselves, “is there another way… a better way?"

I’m sure there will be many who will say that I’m naive, or perhaps that I’m a dreamer. I’m ok with that too. As the great Martin Luther King Jr once said: “I have decided to stick with love, for hate is too great a burden to bear"

My plan for 2016?

Speak less. Listen more. Frown less. Smile more. Fear less. Dream more. Hate less. Love more.

Will you join me? T.

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Song 12 - Love is the Weapon

Today is Martin Luther King Jr day, and so in honour of him I’m posting my final song of the year called LOVE IS THE WEAPON.

I don’t know about you, but I don’t think 2015 was a particularly good year. From terrorist attacks and war, to the biggest refugee crisis in history. We’ve been sold fear, prejudice, and hatred by the media, politicians, presidential hopefuls, and other prominent leaders. All the while children are gunned down in their classrooms, and others are washed up on beaches.

The problems we are facing as a planet are huge, and I don’t pretend that there are any easy answers. The older I get, the less certain of things I become. I simply don’t have the words to explain away our problems. But I am sure of one thing: fear and hate are never the solution. History has proven it time and time again.

I’ve said before that I process life through music, and when I write songs I like to ask myself questions. Some of you may find the images in this video offensive, either for what they depict, or for what they represent. I think that’s ok. We should be offended by images of violence, hatred, and war, and we should be asking ourselves, “is there another way… a better way?”

I’m sure there will be many who will say that I’m naive, or perhaps that I’m a dreamer. I’m ok with that too. As the great Martin Luther King Jr once said: “I have decided to stick with love, for hate is too great a burden to bear”

My plan for 2016?

Speak less. Listen more. Frown less. Smile more. Fear less. Dream more. Hate less. Love more.

Will you join me?

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I’m writing and recording one song every month in 2015. If you would like to help me do this, please visit my Patreon page.

Song 12 – Love is the Weapon was originally published on Tom Read

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Song 11 - Dreaming As We Go

Here is song 11 called DREAMING AS WE GO. This was a collaboration between myself and Henry Marsden who has been helping me produce all of the songs this year.

One of the things I’ve really learnt this year is the value of working with other people. I’m naturally the type of person who likes to do everything myself, but the truth is that working with other people, especially people who have strengths in areas that you don’t, can really make your music better.

The song is about keeping your dreams alive, even when you feel they’ve been trodden on. Surround yourself with people who believe in you and learn how to fly. I hope you find it encouraging!

I’m writing and recording one song every month in 2015. If you would like to help me do this, please visit my Patreon page.

Song 11 – Dreaming As We Go was originally published on Tom Read

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Song 10 - Is Anyone Listening?

Here is song #10 called Is Anyone Listening? – the title is not a reference to my music, although it’s certainly a question I have asked myself this year. Ha!

This year has been all about pushing the boat out and trying new things. If you’d asked me even a year ago if I thought I’d be writing music like this, I’d have definitely said no. But that’s the beauty of exploration and creative freedom – sometimes it leads you down unexpected paths and you end up finding yourself somewhere you’ve never been before.

I’m writing and recording one song every month in 2015. If you would like to help me do this, please visit my Patreon page.

Song 10 – Is Anyone Listening? was originally published on Tom Read

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Here is song #9 called MASKS. This was written with a good friend of mine, Josh Gauton, and he has also released a version of the song which you should check out here. I really love this song, and I’m pleased with how this version has turned out.

It’s been quite challenging having to do a video for each song, especially with my very limited video editing skills, but it’s fun to see what you can come up with just using iMovie and some stock footage. Here’s my latest effort!

I’m writing and recording one song every month in 2015. If you would like to help me do this, please visit my Patreon page.

Song #9 – Masks was originally published on Tom Read

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Song 8 - I Just Want You

Here is song #8 called I JUST WANT YOU written with Jake Isaac and Jock James. This month I went into the studio and recorded the song in two days with a band. It was nice to get back into a studio environment and record a song the good old fashioned way with real drums and guitars.

It was also great to be recording back at the Old Chapel Studio which is probably my favourite studio anywhere in the world, and where I recorded my album, Compass. Such great memories.

I’m writing and recording one song every month in 2015. If you would like to help me do this, please visit my Patreon page.

Song 8 – I Just Want You was originally published on Tom Read

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Bonus song: We're Only Human

Here is a special bonus song. I’ve been back and forth all day over whether to post this or not, because I don’t want anyone to question my motives on this. Yesterday I sat crying in front of my computer for over an hour as I looked at the image of little Aylan Kurdi lying dead on the beach. I just couldn’t shake the thought that it could have been my own son. How has this happened? Why has it taken so long for us to wake up to the tragedy that is going on all around us? How can we stop this?

These past few days, I’ve cried more tears, signed more petitions, and given more money to charity than I ever have in my life. Though not enough, I’m doing what little I can do.

Music has always been therapy for me. When I don’t know what to say, I use music to help process my thoughts. Songwriting is one of the main ways that I can express myself and all the thoughts and feelings I don’t know how to deal with. Yesterday I sat down at the piano and wrote this song pretty much straight out in response to the Syrian refugee crisis.

I don’t want anything from this, other than to share this in the hope that we can see these refugees for who they are: human beings just like us. These beautiful Syrian children and their families deserve our help.

We can’t do everything, but we must do something.

WAYS TO HELP:

This article has the best overview that I’ve found of ways you can help, along with links to donate and sign petitions. Please consider doing something to help: 5 Ways To Help Refugees

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I’m writing and recording one song every month in 2015. If you would like to help me do this, please visit my Patreon page.

Bonus song: We’re Only Human was originally published on Tom Read

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Song 7 - Filter

Here is song #7 called FILTER. I think the whole area of social media is something that most of us struggle with. Is it making us happy? Is it making us better people? I ask myself those questions all the time. Does my social media feed always tell the true story?

I hope this song and video connects with some of you and we can all start to ask ourselves these questions. By the way, if you want to post your own #ShowYourScars photo to Instagram that would be awesome (don’t forget to use the hashtag). Imagine what the impact would be if we could all just be real?

I’m writing and recording one song every month in 2015. If you would like to help me do this, please visit my Patreon page.

Song 7 – Filter was originally published on Tom Read

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Song 6 - In The Ordinary

This months song was written with a friend of mine called Josh Gauton. I had been sharing about how so often I tend to focus on the highs and lows in life, whether it be in relationships, work, faith etc, but the reality is that I live a very ordinary life, and I’ve had to learn how to be ok with that. The song is all about embracing the beauty of the every day, and learning that even in those times of silence and monotony, I’m not alone. I want to have eyes both for the here and now, and for the treasures yet to come.

I’m writing and recording one song every month in 2015. If you would like to help me do this, please visit my Patreon page.

Song 6 – In The Ordinary was originally published on Tom Read

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Song 5 - Take Me From The Fire (Live)

I learnt piano as a child but I haven’t played for nearly 20 years. Over the last year I’ve been picking up it up again and so I thought this would be a great song to try to record and perform live on the piano. Also, the cello is my favourite instrument so it was great to have Squiff join me in the studio and play some beautiful cello on the song. Unfortunately I had a terrible head cold on the day of recording, but I did my best and I’m pretty pleased with the outcome. I hope you enjoy it!

I’m writing and recording one song every month in 2015. If you would like to help me do this, please visit my Patreon page.

Song 5 – Take Me From The Fire (Live) was originally published on Tom Read

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Song 4 - Forever Young

There are two things that I’ve never done before – first, write my wife a song; second, write a pop song. For Jacinta’s birthday I decided to kill two birds with one stone and write her a pop song. This song is all about us falling in love at 17. We used to write each other letters, and make each other mix tapes (the original kind, on actual cassette tapes!) Next year we will have been together for 20 years, but we still feel like two kids just in love!

I’m writing and recording one song every month in 2015. If you would like to help me do this, please visit my Patreon page.

Song 4 – Forever Young was originally published on Tom Read

[bearddporn]

Hi, I always thought I wouldn’t be able to grow a beard but decided to give it a shot anyway. This is about 4 months growth and I can’t remember my face without it. Love your blog, and a massive shout out to all bearded brothers!

http://tomread.tumblr.com

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My fifteen minutes of bearded fame!

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Song 3 - Crashing

Here is song #3. This is probably the most personal and difficult song I’ve written yet. This song is inspired by two things: Firstly, my mum has been battling with dementia over the last couple of years, and I wrote this for her and my father who has been taking care of her. Secondly, it came from my personal struggle with anxiety and panic attacks, and music has been like therapy for me. I didn’t set out to write about this, it just sort of happened, but I’m glad it did. Anyway, it’s an emotional one, but I hope you like it! Please feel free to share it with someone you love too.

I’m writing and recording one song every month in 2015. If you would like to help me do this, please visit my Patreon page.

Song 3 – Crashing was originally published on Tom Read

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Song 2 - Rewrite The Story

Here is song #2. For a long time this was a totally different song, but I completely rewrote the lyrics and the melody the day before going into the studio to record the vocals. The song is about moving forward and leaving the past behind, which definitely feels like a season that I’m in right now. I hope you enjoy it, and leave a comment and let me know what you think! Video by 3rd Culture Creative. Illustrations by Jacinta Read.

I’m writing and recording one song every month in 2015. If you would like to help me do this, please visit my Patreon page.

Song 2 – Rewrite The Story was originally published on Tom Read

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Song 1 - Gravity

Here is song #1, written with my friend Jamie Thomson (with some lyrical inspiration from Jess Waterhouse). The idea for this song came from that feeling you experience as a child when you would fall asleep in the car on the way home and then would wake up in the morning in your own bed, without any worry as to how you got there. You were carried, safe in your fathers arms.

I’m writing and recording one song every month in 2015. If you would like to help me do this, please visit my Patreon page.

Song 1 – Gravity was originally published on Tom Read

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Help Me Make Music in 2015

  I’m going to write and record one song every month in 2015 and release it onto the internet for everyone to hear – and I’d love your help to make it happen.

  A little over a year ago my family and I moved from Hong Kong to the UK, so that I could really focus on music and writing new songs. It’s been going well, but lots of people have been asking me how they can hear the new stuff I’ve been writing, so I’ve decided to release these songs through a website called Patreon, which is kind of like Kickstarter except that instead of raising funds for one single project, it allows people to support artists they like on an ongoing basis.

  How can you help? – I’m asking you to consider pledging US$1 (or more) for each song that I release this year (12 songs in total).

  For those of you who aren’t able to make a pledge, don’t worry, I will still be making the songs available online for people to listen to for free, but there will be special rewards and benefits for those who choose to support me on Patreon.

  I’ve made a video (above) that clearly explains what I’m hoping to do and how it all works. It would mean the world to me if you would lend me 4 minutes of your time today to watch the video and consider being a part of this project.

  I’m believing that 2015 is going to be an incredible year of music, art and creativity, and I would love you to join me on the journey.

Help Me Make Music in 2015 was originally published on Tom Read

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Our Trip

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Feels good to be right all the time.

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Our Trip was originally published on Tom Read