Tom Aspaul

Not to be confused with Tom Aspell.

Tom Aspaul
Aspaul behind the scenes at the "Kiss It" music video, 2022
Aspaul behind the scenes at the "Kiss It" music video, 2022
Background information
Birth nameThomas Paul Frederick Dutton
Born16 September 1986 (1986-09-16) (age 38)
OriginWolverhampton, West Midlands, United Kingdom
Genres
Occupation(s)Singer, songwriter
Years active2013–present
LabelsOn Repeat Records (2013)
BLK&WHT (2016)

Thomas Paul Frederick Dutton, known professionally as Tom Aspaul, is a British singer and songwriter from Wolverhampton.[1] He released his debut album, Black Country Disco in 2020 to critical acclaim.[2] His songwriting credits include Kylie Minogue, Snakehips, Celeste and Becky Hill, among many others.

Early life

[edit]

Tom grew up on a council estate[3] in the Black Country.[4][3] Writing songs from an early age, he would play ideas to family and friends, but was not involved in the local music scene.[3] Instead, Aspaul went on to study Architecture,[5] followed by a master's at Central Saint Martins College of Art and Design in London.

Music career

[edit]

Songwriting

[edit]

Tom's career in music began in earnest while still studying at University in London. Encountering several A&Rs and music managers during his shifts working in an East London pub, Aspaul was eventually drafted to help write new material for the newly reformed Sugababes (then known as Mutya Keisha Siobhan) in 2012.[6] In October 2013, after uploading a demo to SoundCloud, his song "Indiana" was signed to Little Boots' label, On Repeat Records.[7][8] Produced by MNEK, the single attracted support from Popjustice[9] and Pitchfork.[10] The song was covered and renamed as "Feels So Good" by Australian singer Kylie Minogue.[11] Minogue included it on her twelfth studio album, Kiss Me Once, with Aspaul contributing backing vocals.[12] Tom signed his first publishing deal soon after.[13]

In September 2015, Tom co-wrote and featured on XYconstant's single, "Do It Well", released on FFRR Records/Parlophone in September 2015.[14] The track was featured on several 'Best of 2015' lists,[15][16][17] eventually being nominated[18] for the 2016 Popjustice £20 Music Prize, an annual prize awarded by music website Popjustice, recognising the "best British pop single of the previous year". During this time, often in five songwriting sessions a week,[19] Aspaul's other credits include writing singles for AlunaGeorge, LIZ, The X Factor thirteenth series winner Matt Terry (and the runner-up Saara Aalto), Snakehips and Celeste, among others.

2014–2019: Revelation, LEFT and collaborations

[edit]
Main article: Revelation (EP)

After the initial success of "Indiana", on 10 December 2014 Tom premiered "Good Together", his second official single and the first from his debut mixtape.[20] The song, produced by GRADES, received support from Huw Stephens and was named by former BBC Radio 1 DJ, Zane Lowe as his "Next Hype".[21] Revelation, the mixtape, was self-released via YouTube 19 May 2015, receiving acclaim from billboard.[22] Also in 2015, Tom released his collaboration with Aeble (alias of producer Starsmith), "Better By Your Side", which went on to eventually amass over 20 million streams.[23]

Tom released his first full EP, LEFT on BLK&WHT records on 4 November 2016, featuring work with frequent collaborators MNEK and GRADES.[24] 2017 saw more collaborations, with Tom's vocals featuring on several EDM/dance and house tracks, including songs by Viceroy,[25] Bronze Whale and Sleepy Tom, the latter of which became one of BBC Radio 1's "Dance Anthems".

2019–2021: Black Country Disco and Black Country Discothèque

[edit]
Main article: Black Country Disco

On 14 September 2019, Tom announced the beginning of a new project, Black Country Disco - a concept album named for the area in which he grew up and inspired by disco from the late 70s and early 80s.[26][4] The album was self-released in September 2020 to critical acclaim,[27] named "easily one of the best albums of the year".[28] The record was supported by a short-film titled Black Country Disco: The Movie, shot in and around Wolverhampton.[29]

Aspaul was awarded the PPL Momentum Fund in October 2020,[30] sponsored by PRS, Spotify and Arts Council England to help fund a second studio album. He also performed the entirety of his debut album at Birmingham Symphony Hall.[31] In April 2021, Tom released Black Country Discothèque, a remix album re-imagining each song on his debut LP, including collaborations with MNEK, Kim Wilde, Brendan Maclean and Bright Light Bright Light.[32][33] Later that month, Aspaul announced Black Country Disco: The Book, published by Polari Press, documenting the conception, creation and release of the album. Tom embarked on his first sold-out UK headline tour in July 2021, The Revenge Body Tour.[34]

2021–present: Life In Plastic

[edit]
Main article: Life in Plastic

On 31 December 2021 Aspaul released the first single, "Let Them (It's All Love)", from his second album, Life in Plastic.[35]

Released on 30 May 2022, and named after a lyric taken from the song "Barbie Girl" by Danish-Norwegian dance-pop group Aqua, the album saw Aspaul team up with long-time collaborators, Gil Lewis and MNEK. The record was inspired by late 90s and early 00s Europop, trance and Eurodance music, noted for referencing artists such as "La Bouche, Ace of Base, Steps, Whigfield, ATC"[36] and the band who inspired its name, Aqua - as well as Romanian pop music,[37] Balkan pop music[38] and the Eurovision Song Contest.

Described as a "monster pop record"[39] and a "party from start to finish",[40] Life in Plastic received acclaim for its consistency and "Y2K aesthetic", as well its eclectic influences. For The Independent, Isobel Lewis wrote "Life in Plastic is a pure bubblegum pop record – but not without substance".[41] In Line of Best Fit, Aspaul was praised as a "shining example of an independent artist making the music they want to make".[42]

On 17 October 2022 the album was re-released as Life in Plastic, It's Expanded, a deluxe edition with 8 new tracks and a music video for the song "Thessaloniki".[43]

In support of the album's release, Tom performed across the UK, North America and Europe, including Mighty Hoopla, the 2022 Commonwealth Games, held in Birmingham[44] and his second headline tour, the Planet Fantastic Tour which opened in Paris on 19 April 2023.[45]

Artistry

[edit]

Aspaul is a pop singer and songwriter, though his music has straddled pop, R&B[46] and electronic/dance. Aspaul is noted for using vocal harmonies extensively and his songs often feature his own voice layered several times.[47] His vocals have been described as having an "unapologetic queerness"[48] as well as being "unique", "soulful", "smooth", "versatile" and "effortless".[49][50][51] He frequently cites Rodney Jerkins, Janet Jackson and Jennifer Lopez among his favourite musicians,[3][52] although more recently, the likes of La Roux, Empire of the Sun and Daft Punk have influenced his work stylistically - as well as Chic, Grace Jones and ELO.[53]

Other work

[edit]

Tom launched a music and pop culture podcast, Bottle Pop with Tom Aspaul in 2017. He is the host, with fellow singer-songwriter guests including MNEK, Becky Hill, Siobhan Donaghy, Anita Blay and Clare Maguire; as well as music journalist guests such as Popjustice.[54][55] Since 2018 Tom has been sporadically presenting on the internet only radio station, FUBAR Radio. In 2020 he began hosting a weekly show on Gorgeous FM, an LGBTQ+ station for Birmingham, the Black Country and Shropshire.[56][57] In 2021, Tom was part of United Kingdom's jury in the Eurovision Song Contest 2021.[58]

Personal life

[edit]

Aspaul is gay.[48] He lived in Thessaloniki, Greece as part of his master's degree.[59]

Discography

[edit]

Studio albums

[edit]
Title Album details
Black Country Disco
  • Released: 14 September 2020
  • Formats: CD, digital download, LP, cassette
Life in Plastic
  • Released: 30 May 2022
  • Formats: CD, digital download, LP, cassette

Remix albums

[edit]
Title Album details
Black Country Discothèque
  • Released: 16 April 2021
  • Formats: Digital download, LP

EPs

[edit]
Title EP details
LEFT
  • Released: 4 November 2016
  • Label: BLK&WHT Records
  • Format: Digital download

Mixtapes

[edit]
Title Mixtape details
Revelation
  • Released: 19 May 2015
  • Format: Digital download
Lamentations
  • Released: 11 December 2018
  • Format: Digital download

Singles

[edit]

As lead artist

[edit]
Title Year Album
"Indiana" 2013 Non-album single
"Good Together" 2014 Revelation
"Never Complaining" 2016 LEFT
"Burnt Out"
"Going Down" 2018 Non-album single
"Back 2 Earth" 2019
"Traces" Black Country Disco
"Close 2 Me"
"W.M." 2020
"Tender"
"01902"
"The Program" (with Funk LeBlanc & Madeleine Wood) 2021 Black Country Discothèque
"Tender 2" (with Funk LeBlanc)
"Traces" (MNEK Remix)
"Let Them (It's All Love)" Life in Plastic
"Kiss It" 2022
"What Is Real Anymore?"
"Listen 2 Nicole"
"Love Me Right" Life in Plastic, It's Expanded
[edit]
Year Title
2015 "Better By Your Side"
(Aeble featuring Tom Aspaul)
"Do It Well"
(XY Constant featuring Tom Aspaul)
2017 "Imagine"
(Bronze Whale X Popeska featuring Tom Aspaul)
"Improvise"
(Viceroy featuring Tom Aspaul)
"Why Won't You Call"
(Joe Hertz featuring Tom Aspaul)
2018 "Plans"
(with Sleepy Tom)
2019 "Don't Think"
(Pat Lok featuring Tom Aspaul)
2021 "You're My Karma" (with Kim Wilde[60]
2023 "Gimme Gimme Gimme"
(with Bentley Robles)

Music videos

[edit]
List of music videos, showing year released and directors
Title Year Director(s)
"Black Country Disco: The Movie" 2020 Sam Taylor-Edwards
"The Program" 2021 Dan Hett, Omari Douglas
"B.C.D Megamix" Ryann Charless
"Let Them (It's All Love)" 2022 Sam Taylor-Edwards
"Kiss It" Rosie Sorrell
"Thessaloniki" Eleni Katrakalidi

Songwriting credits

[edit]

  indicates a background vocal contribution

  indicates an un-credited lead vocal contribution

  indicates a credited vocal/featured artist contribution

Year Artist Album Song Co-written with
2014 Kylie Minogue Kiss Me Once "Feels So Good" No additional writers
2015 Karen Harding Say Something EP "Those Girls" Karen Harding, Daniel Traynor
Little Boots Working Girl "Working Girl" Viktoria Hesketh, Daniel Traynor
Hannah Lucia Non-album single "Don't Hold Out" Hannah Lucia, Thomas AD Fuller
Alo Lee Videos EP "Videos" Alo Lee, Liam Howe, Exmoor Emperor
2016 Alex Newell Power EP "Shame" Karen Harding, George Tizzard, Richard Parkhouse
AlunaGeorge I Remember "Mediator" Aluna Francis, George Reid
Liz Cross Your Heart "Want U to Hate Me" Elizabeth Abrams, Shane Tremlin, Thomas Foley
Aanysa Non-album single "Burn Break Crash"
(with Snakehips) 		Caroline Furoyen, Daniel Traynor
2017 Celeste The Milk & the Honey EP "Chocolate" Celeste Waite, James Edward Jacob
Joe Hertz Non-album single "Simple"
(with Jones) 		Joseph Hertz
Charlotte OC Careless People "In Paris" Charlotte O'Connor, Martin Sjølie
GotSome Non-album single "I Don't Know"
(featuring Lisa Kekaula) 		Adam Gorsky, Alexander Holmes, Ian Griffiths, Thomas Griffiths, Rebecca Hill, Jimmy Hogarth, Lisa Kekaula
Matt Terry Trouble "Try" Matthew Terry, Daniel Shah, Skylar Adams
2018 Saara Aalto Wild Wild Wonderland "Queens" Saara Aalto, Farley Arvidsson, Charlie Walshe
Olivier Dion Exposed "Curious" Sabina Ddumba, Daniel Traynor
MOKS Non-album single "Do So Much"
(featuring Vinchenzo) 		Rijad Rahmouni, Carlos Vroljik, Aaron Gill, Daniel McDougall
Mae Muller Frankly EP "Maybe" Holly Muller, Anthony Esterly
2020 Louise Heavy Love "Villain" Louise Redknapp, Hannah Robinson, Josef Page
Jay Pryor Non-album single "Aside" Jay Pryor, James Bairian, Jesse Thomas, Louis Castle
2021 Tia Kofi Part 1: The Damage EP "Outside In" Victoria Hesketh, Gil Lewis
Dionne Bromfield Non-album single "Silly Love" Dionne Bromfield, Lewis Dransfield
Becky Hill Only Honest on the Weekend "Waiting Not Looking" Rebecca Hill, Oscar Hill
2022 Suki Waterhouse I Can't Let Go "Melrose Meltdown" Lux Pyramid, Suki Waterhouse
2024 Andy C, Becky Hill Believe Me Now? "Indestructible" Rebecca Hill, Andrew Michael Clarke, Ryan Ashley

Tours

[edit]
Supporting act
Headline
  • The Revenge Body Tour (UK, 2021)
  • Planet Fantastic Tour (UK, Europe, North America, Australia 2023-4)

Awards and nominations

[edit]
Year Nominee/Work Award Result
2016 "Do It Well" (featuring Tom Aspaul) Popjustice £20 Music Prize[63] Nominated
2020 Tom Aspaul PPL Momentum[30] Won

References

[edit]
  1. ^ Alltimes, Johannah (January 2014). "Get To Know: Tom Aspaul". Hunger Magazine. Archived from the original on 28 January 2014. Retrieved 26 July 2015.
  2. ^ Stern, Bradley (14 September 2020). "'Black Country Disco': Tom Aspaul's Gorgeous, Gay Dance Floor Triumph". MuuMuse. Retrieved 22 December 2020.
  3. ^ a b c d Best, Lloyd (7 April 2020). "INTRODUCING: TOM ASPAUL". GodIsInTheTV. Retrieved 9 May 2020.
  4. ^ a b Cragg, Michael (6 December 2019). "'You associate it with metal, not flares': will the West Midlands embrace disco-pop?". The Guardian. Retrieved 9 May 2020.
  5. ^ White, Jordan (1 May 2020). Mind The Gap (1 ed.). p. 49. Retrieved 9 May 2020.
  6. ^ Turnbull, Michael. "Introducing: Tom Aspaul". Loverboy. Retrieved 9 May 2020.
  7. ^ "On Repeat sign Tom Aspaul". On Repeat Records. Archived from the original on 6 March 2016.
  8. ^ Sauvelle, Julien (February 2015). "Need To Know: Tom Aspaul". Out Magazine.
  9. ^ ""Indiana" on Popjustice". Popjustice. 14 October 2013.
  10. ^ Beauchemin, Molly (October 2013). ""Indiana" on Pitchfork". Pitchfork. Archived from the original on 8 August 2015. Retrieved 26 July 2015.
  11. ^ Wass, Mike (January 2014). "Kylie Minogue Covers Tom Aspaul's "Indiana" On 'Kiss Me Once': Listen To His Original Version". "Feels So Good" was most likely a cover of Tom Aspaul's "Indiana" based on the songwriting and production credits. Idolator. Retrieved 26 July 2015.
  12. ^ "Tom Aspaul discography - RYM/Sonemic". Rate Your Music. Retrieved 9 February 2021.
  13. ^ "DJs - Tom Aspaul - Bio". The Point Agency. Retrieved 9 May 2020.
  14. ^ "Release information – Do It Well ft Tom Aspaul". Music House. Retrieved 12 August 2016.
  15. ^ "The Top 45 Singles Of 2015". Popjustice. 17 December 2015. Retrieved 12 August 2016.
  16. ^ Corner, Lewis (15 December 2015). "The 15 most underrated songs released in 2015". Digital Spy. Retrieved 12 August 2016.
  17. ^ Stern, Bradley (20 December 2015). "The Top 50 Singles of 2015". MuuMuse. Retrieved 12 August 2016.
  18. ^ "The 2016 Popjustice Twenty Quid Music Prize". Popjustice. Retrieved 12 August 2016.
  19. ^ White, Jordan (1 May 2020). Mind The Gap (1 ed.). p. 46. Retrieved 9 May 2020.
  20. ^ "Have a pure pop moment with Tom Aspaul". Fader.
  21. ^ "Tom Aspaul is Zane Lowe's next hype". BBC Radio 1. BBC.
  22. ^ Leight, Elias (May 2015). "Gucci Mane, Migos, Rich the Kid, Tom Aspaul, Sicko Mobb & King Louie: Free Mixtape Roundup". Billboard Magazine. Billboard. Retrieved 26 July 2015.
  23. ^ Magnocavallo, Fabio (5 May 2019). "Tom Aspaul Releases Self-Care And Self-Belief Anthem, 'Back 2 Earth'". Inquisitr. Retrieved 9 May 2020.
  24. ^ "Tom Aspaul releases new mini-album "Left" online". Hamada Mania. Archived from the original on 12 November 2016. Retrieved 11 November 2016.
  25. ^ Kress, Bryan. "Viceroy and Tom Aspaul 'Improvise' on New Genre-Bending Single : Exclusive". Billboard. Retrieved 9 May 2020.
  26. ^ White, Jordan (1 May 2020). Mind The Gap (1 ed.). p. 51. Retrieved 9 May 2020.
  27. ^ Harrison, Quentin (11 October 2020). "Tom Aspaul's Debut Album 'Black Country Disco' Signifies the Arrival of a Vibrant New Voice in Modern Pop | Album Review". Albumism. Retrieved 22 December 2020.
  28. ^ Hunt, El (2 December 2020). "Meet The Pop Disruptors". The Forty-Five. Retrieved 22 December 2020.
  29. ^ Best, Lloyd (3 November 2020). "NEWS: Tom Aspaul releases short film 'Black Country Disco'". God Is in The TV. Retrieved 22 December 2020.
  30. ^ a b "Tom Aspaul: PPL Momentum". Retrieved 22 December 2020.
  31. ^ "Tom Aspaul". Thsh.co.uk. 1 January 2021. Archived from the original on 1 November 2020. Retrieved 9 February 2021.
  32. ^ Damshenas, Sam (27 January 2021). "Tom Aspaul has drops new music video for his 80's-inspired pop banger The Program". Gay Times. Retrieved 19 March 2021.
  33. ^ "[Exclusive] Kim Wilde lines up big-name collaborations for new Greatest Hits collection". Retro Pop. Retrieved 19 March 2021.
  34. ^ Harrison, Quentin (30 May 2022). "Tom Aspaul Flips His Script & Sound on 'Life In Plastic'". Albumism. Retrieved 13 October 2022.
  35. ^ Windust, Jamie (11 January 2022). "Premiere: Tom Aspaul debuts major transformation in Let Them (It's All Love) video". Gay Times. Retrieved 13 October 2022.
  36. ^ Harrison, Quentin (30 May 2022). "Tom Aspaul Flips His Script & Sound on 'Life In Plastic'". Albumism. Retrieved 13 October 2022.
  37. ^ Stern, Bradley (3 January 2022). ""Let Them (It's All Love)": Tom Aspaul Kicks Off a New Era Inspired by INNA and Alexandra Stan. (!)". MuuMuse. Retrieved 13 October 2022.
  38. ^ White, Jordan (21 January 2022). "Tom Aspaul Let Them It's All Love". Euphoria. Retrieved 13 October 2022.
  39. ^ "Tom Aspaul – Life In Plastic". RetroPop Magazine. Irresistible Publishing. 28 May 2022. Retrieved 13 October 2022.
  40. ^ Cobbald, David. "Tom Aspaul's Life In Plastic is a party from start to finish". The Line of Best Fit. Retrieved 13 October 2022.
  41. ^ Lewis, Isobel (22 May 2022). "Tom Aspaul: 'I'm trying to learn to be less concerned about what people think'". The Independent. Retrieved 13 October 2022.
  42. ^ Cobbald, David. "Tom Aspaul's Life In Plastic is a party from start to finish". The Line of Best Fit. Retrieved 13 October 2022.
  43. ^ "Tom Aspaul shares 'Thessaloniki – Remix' from deluxe 'Life In Plastic' album". RetroPop Magazine. Irresistible Publishing. 6 October 2022. Retrieved 13 October 2022.
  44. ^ "B:Music help kick off the Commonwealth Games in Victoria Square!". B:Music. Retrieved 13 October 2022.
  45. ^ "Tom Aspaul announces 'Planet Fantastic' tour". Retropop. 10 January 2023. Archived from the original on 20 July 2023. Retrieved 2 August 2023.
  46. ^ Lester, Paul (21 January 2014). "Tom Aspaul (New band of the day No 1,682)". The Guardian. Retrieved 9 May 2020.
  47. ^ Turnbull, Michael. "INTRODUCING: TOM ASPAUL". Loverboy. Retrieved 9 May 2020.
  48. ^ a b Sauvalle, Julien (19 February 2015). "Need To Know: Singer-Songwriter Tom Aspaul". Out. Retrieved 9 May 2020.
  49. ^ "VICEROY WELCOMES SUMMERTIME WITH DISCO HIT "IMPROVISE"". EDM Sauce. 18 June 2017. Retrieved 9 May 2020.
  50. ^ Kress, Bryan. "Viceroy and Tom Aspaul 'Improvise' on New Genre-Bending Single : Exclusive". Billboard. Retrieved 9 May 2020.
  51. ^ Rogers, Mandy (16 May 2019). "Photo by Alice Rainis Listen To 'Back 2 Earth' By Tom Aspaul". EQ Music. Retrieved 9 May 2020.
  52. ^ Murray, Robin (December 2014). "Listen: Tom Aspaul – 'Good Together'". Inspired by Janet Jackson and a vision of future-pop. Clash Music. Retrieved 26 July 2015.
  53. ^ White, Jordan (1 May 2020). Mind The Gap. p. 51. Retrieved 9 May 2020.
  54. ^ "they don't make 'em like they used to: 90s boyband music videos". i-D Magazine. i-D. 25 August 2017. Retrieved 27 September 2017.
  55. ^ Earl, Daniel. "Unsigned Wolverhampton singer Tom Aspaul writes for Kylie". Express & Star. Retrieved 27 September 2017.
  56. ^ "TOM ASPAUL'S TAKEOVER". FUBAR Radio. 25 June 2019. Retrieved 9 May 2020.
  57. ^ "Tom Aspaul Unveils Short Film/Music Video". Gorgeous FM. Retrieved 22 December 2020.
  58. ^ "Eurovision Song Contest 2021 Grand Final Jury". European Broadcasting Union. Retrieved 9 July 2021.
  59. ^ "Tom Aspaul takes us to Thessaloniki with Life in Plastic, It's Expanded". Loverboy Magazine. Retrieved 30 July 2023.
  60. ^ "Kim Wilde lines up Tom Aspaul collaboration "You're My Karma"website=retropopmagazine". 4 July 2021. Archived from the original on 11 July 2021. Retrieved 10 July 2021.
  61. ^ Logan, Phillip. "Louise Reveals Full List of Support Acts Ahead of 'Heavy Love' U.K. Tour". Celeb Mix. Retrieved 19 July 2023.
  62. ^ Walsh, Dominic. "Self Esteem – Manchester Albert Hall: Live Review". At The Barrier. Retrieved 19 July 2023.
  63. ^ "The 2016 Popjustice Twenty Quid Music Prize". Popjustice. Retrieved 5 August 2016.
[edit]
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