Tommy Arch

Tommy Arch has released the double A-side “Lovehearts” & “The Cold Side of the Bed.” He very kindly chatted with us:

 

What is your earliest musical memory?

I do have a few early musical memories, I went to a Status Quo concert when I was 4 apparently. But the most significant memories were probably to do with Bob Marley. I got really obsessed with “No Woman No Cry” as a child and listened to it over and over! And I was mercifully taken to see The Wailers fronted by Ziggy Marley when I was 7 or so, that really stuck with me.

 

When did you begin songwriting?

I can’t remember exactly. I made a band with my friends when we were around 12 and I think we had a go at writing some songs. I’m sure they were terrible! It wasn’t until I was a bit later into my teens that I started taking it more seriously. I think I had to start listening to the proper music before it clicked.

 

You have your new double A-side “Lovehearts” & “The Cold Side of the Bed” out now. What was inspiration/story behind the songs?

Well, as I’m sure you can tell both songs are centred around love and heartache and all that stuff. I’ve had my fair share of ups and downs in that field and it’s always a source of inspiration. Lovehearts was initially a few lines I’d knicked from an Emile Zola book that sounded good. The Cold Side Of The Bed was written during the pandemic so I guess feelings of isolation and loneliness helped that one along… Sometimes my songs are about something specific, other times more just a feeling or sentiment.

 

Where did you record the tracks and who produced them?

They were both recorded at Polestar Studios which is a stone’s throw from where I live in Newcastle and it’s great! Myself and Alex Blamire who runs the place produced and mixed both tracks.

 

Do you have any interesting, funny or memorable stories from the recording sessions?

I had some great experiences recording these two! We got Hels Pattison in to sing on Lovehearts and it was the first time I’d ever sang with somebody else in the studio. We had only sung the song together once at a show and we did about three takes together in the live room and it sounded great! Hels did an incredible job and it was a really great experience! It was also the first time I’d been directly involved in mixing the tracks and that was really special, sat at the desk with Alex Blamire and picking out all the special little moments from the guitar and piano etc. 

 

Did you use any particular instruments, microphones, recording equipment to help you get a particular sound/tone for the record?

Instrument wise it was all pretty standard apart from a beautiful old Hammond Organ and Leselie speaker the studio had just bought. That’s pretty prominent on both songs! We recorded everything onto a big old tape machine through a big old desk so I think that gives a lot of character to the sound. I’m always wanting it to sound as though it’s been recorded 50/60 years ago!

 

Which of your tracks hear you at your a) happiest, b) angriest and c) most reflective?

That’s an interesting one! I’m not sure about happiness but I suppose there’s an element of anger in The Cold Side Of The Bed, but more turned inward, one of the last lyrics is “how could I have ever thought that it all could last” as if to be so foolish to believe a certain relationship could actually work. Lovehearts is definitely more reflective, “oh what remains when lovehearts grow dim?” is a line looking at the fickleness of casual love. Not that I personally have much experience there!

 

Were they difficult songs to write?

Lovehearts was quite slow coming out, it was written over a number of years. I had the first two verses for a while and couldn’t get any further. Sometimes you can overthink these things, read too much into the meaning of the song. The Cold Side Of The Bed on the other hand kind of came out of nowhere in one big chunk. It’s always nice when that happens!

 

Do you have any further music releases planned for 2026/2027?

I am hoping to have an album out in 2027. We are slowly chipping away at it at the moment. But it’s always about money and time so we will have to see. The songs are all there which is the hard bit!

 

Where is your hometown and could you please describe it in five words?

Newcastle Upon Tyne is my hometown. The words I’d use to describe it would be… Passionate. Aggressively friendly. Under-doggish. Stark and last but not least, drunken!

 

Do you have any live dates planned in the UK/Europe in 2026/2027?

Not as we speak but hopefully there are some things in the pipeline. I’d absolutely love to tour in Europe. I’ve toured there a lot with other bands and it’s always an amazing time!

 

What two things do you hope to have achieved once you have left the stage?

I think being onstage is a massive privilege! I hope to inspire and move people. I know I get inspired watching other people perform. I always feel disappointed after a show if I feel as though I haven’t been able to fully get into the zone. Sometimes you can feel tense onstage and other times too remote, almost running on auto-pilot. I want to leave to stage knowing I’ve left a bit of myself out there.

 

Do you have any favoured stage instruments, effects, pedals, microphones etc?

I like to keep it pretty simple onstage. I only use a tuner pedal and that’s mainly just to mute my acoustic guitar whilst I’m playing the electric. I try to be as authentic as possible and sometimes that means stripping everything back! I’m one of those people who say if a song doesn’t work on its own, then something’s not quite right. Others probably have a different opinion and that’s okay too!

 

You are given the opportunity to write the score for a film adaptation of a novel that you enjoy. Which novel is it and why?

Wow! That’s really tough, but interesting! Maybe it’s a bit predictable and I’ll want to change my answer afterwards but purely from a music perspective, perhaps a Jack Kerouac novel, maybe Dharma Bums or Desolation Angels. The music coming out of America in that mid-century period is why I do what I do and to be able to make a score using all that influence would be pretty dreamy!

 

How do you look after your voice?

I don’t really look after my voice at all. I’ll have a few beers before going on stage usually. It’s held up pretty well so far but I’m sure one day I’ll have to take that side of things more seriously. Or just do a Dylan and change my style to suit an ever croakier vocal!

 

Who are some of your musical influences? Do you have any recommendations?

Well I just mentioned Bob Dylan, he is a giant hero for me in terms or songwriting and everything. Van Morrison is another big one along with Ray Charles. The list is pretty endless really. I’ve come back to Bob Marley recently, doesn’t mean I’m going to write a reggae album but always loved what he brought to the world. Some favourite records over the past year or so would be; Days Like This by Van Morrison, Time Out Of Mind by Bob Dylan and maybe one or two of Woody Guthrie’s first records!

 

What makes Tommy Arch happy and what makes you unhappy?

Many things make me happy, I’m generally a fairly happy-go-lucky kind of guy! In terms of music I’d say the feeling I get when I write a song I think is pretty good is up there, realising you can still do it! Any form of recognition makes me feel like it’s all been worth it. Not much gets me down. In music you’re always being knocked back and rejected and over looked. I think you develop a pretty hard shell. If you didn’t, I don’t think you’d last too long. Terrible art of any kind makes me pretty unhappy…

Feature Image Photo Credit: Film photos in Iris Brickfield Park – Myfanwy Arch

Tommy Arch’s double A-side “Lovehearts” & “The Cold Side of the Bed.” is out now. 

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