Behind The Lens: Tomás Tomás

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How many times do you edit a song before releasing it? When do you finally know a track is done?

I get the general arrangement down pretty quickly, but it’s different every time. A song can be tinkered with forever, so sometimes it’s hard to know. Usually I’m changing things with the mix right up until it’s time to upload it.

How do you decide on the cover art for a release? Do you take the lead creatively, or trust your photographer/director to run with the vision?

More often than not the cover art is something that just appears. I’ll go through 50 versions and then there’s usually one that just feels right. My friend Jess Farran and I do all of the creative work together. For this project, I made the cover arts on my phone and then sent them to her to put her final touch on the colors and what not.

Which streaming platform do you enjoy using the most—and why? Is it about fan access, functionality, payouts, or community?

I personally love YouTube Music. I like to listen to music at the highest possible volume and YouTube seems to be the best at that. You can also add all the really obscure stuff to your library like a fan's iPhone video from a crowd at a show.

What’s the studio atmosphere like for you? Do you prefer solo sessions or feeding off other energy? Walk us through your ideal creative space.

I usually just work alone. The isolation gives me a sense of privacy. Writing is so intimate and I feel a bit more free when other people aren’t around. But recently we played a show where we played a few unreleased songs and I think playing them live is really gonna inform how I go about recording the vocals. It’s nice to see what the band is feeding off of.

What’s your perspective on staying independent vs. signing with a label? Where do you see the biggest benefits—and biggest sacrifices?

I’ve done both and there's pros and cons. The structure of being on a label is a huge benefit. I think most artists work best with deadlines. It helps to just get stuff out there otherwise I’d sit on it forever. My current label Keep Good Company is really great. They really seem to believe in my ideas and that’s priceless to me. I have a new music video/short film coming out soon and I’m sure that any other label would have laughed at the idea. They validate my ambitions even when they’re insane. More often than not they are indeed insane.

Where has been your favorite venue to perform so far? What made the experience memorable?

93 Feet East in London for sure. It was just the perfect venue. The design was really bare, it felt old, but the sound was amazing. We went out there on a whim. The crowd was really receptive and respectful. That’s something that you don’t get as much in NY.

Do you think artists should be more vocal about political or social issues? Why or why not—and do those views influence your music?

If you have a voice then I think it’s a bit of a civic duty. There’s a pressure to stay informed and I think that’s a really good thing. I've seen some benefit shows in NY recently and those have actually been the best environments. I think the post-Covid era has influenced music a lot. There’s a lot more serious stuff coming out. Music has a lot of intention again. Art in general seems to be shifting somewhere more intellectual than I grew up with. I find myself being in a state of anxiety - and honestly just anger. I think that’s coming through in my writing a lot at the moment.

Are you making a New Year’s resolution—or starting/stopping something cold turkey? What’s your mindset heading into the new year?

I just wanna continue to grow as a person. Listening, learning. There’s always a lesson if you’re looking for it.

What song (yours or someone else’s) reminds you of winter—and why? Is it nostalgic, motivating, or calming?

I think most of my songs feel like cold weather stuff. I don’t think the music is “cold” but I don’t know if it just feels that way. I can’t explain. JUMZZZ by Loukeman was heavy on me last winter. As I’m saying that, I think Wake off my recent project was definitely a product of listening to "JUMZZZ" a million times. Frostbite type music you know?

What’s a motivational quote or mindset you live by? And where can people connect with you and follow your journey?

“Be open my boy.” It’s from my friend Kevin’s film. It’s more of a joke in the film but it’s a good one to move with.

Hopefully we can connect through the music. I’m sure there’s a few people out there who feel the same things as me. That’s the best feeling, when someone goes out of their way to let you know it resonated with them. Feeling seen and heard is something we all need.