Artist Rolodex: Tom Pearce

^{Tom Pearce: A Journey Through Music, Self-Discovery, and Artistic Evolution}

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^{Part I: The Prelude}

^{The violin, often perceived as classical and somewhat traditional, provided young Tom with an avenue to express himself. He was part of a year-level orchestra and found immense joy in playing, continuing with the violin for a few years. However, societal perceptions and a desire to explore other instruments led him to eventually set the violin aside. “The only reason I stopped playing the violin is because it wasn’t necessarily that cool to play the violin,” he admits. This childhood decision, while seemingly trivial at the time, was a pivotal moment in his musical journey.}

^{Next came the trumpet, an instrument Tom chose with the hope of eventually transitioning to the saxophone. “I really wanted to play the saxophone, but I didn’t get the saxophone. I got the trumpet,” he recounts. Despite his initial disappointment, this turn of events was serendipitous. Had he not been assigned the trumpet, he might never have discovered his true musical calling: the guitar.}

^{The shift to guitar was influenced by his best friend Jono and Jono’s father, who was a musician playing in various cover bands. “My friend Jono got me into playing the guitar and his dad lent me one of his guitars and taught me a couple of things,” Tom reminisces. This introduction to the guitar, coupled with the influence of his metalhead father who introduced him to bands like Metallica, laid the foundation for Tom’s deep dive into the world of music.}

^{Part II: Discovering Depths with the Guitar}

^{Tom’s early days with the guitar were heavily influenced by Metallica. Learning songs like “Enter Sandman” and “The Day That Never Comes” became a formative experience. “As I was learning to play the guitar, my dad and my friend’s dad would both be like, ‘Oh, you should learn such and such Metallica song,’” Tom explains. This not only honed his technical skills but also instilled a sense of nostalgia and motivation, as these songs were a significant part of his upbringing.}

^{The progression from simpler Metallica riffs to more complex compositions mirrored Tom’s own growth as a musician. “One of the good things about a band like Metallica is that their music ranges from pretty easy to relatively tricky, so you can start off with a song like ‘Enter Sandman’ and progress to something like ‘Master of Puppets,’” he notes. This incremental challenge provided a structured path for improvement, keeping him engaged and continually pushing his boundaries.}

^{In high school, Tom’s musical landscape expanded further. He was introduced to Dream Theater, a band known for its intricate and demanding compositions. “To me, it was noticeably difficult, and I found that fascinating,” Tom says. The challenge posed by Dream Theater’s music was a catalyst for his technical and creative development. He delved into the complexities of their songs, experiencing the satisfaction of mastering difficult patterns after persistent practice.}

^{Simultaneously, Tom was receiving classical guitar lessons through his school. This dual exposure to classical and metal genres enriched his understanding of music, blending the disciplined techniques of classical guitar with the raw, expressive energy of metal. However, it was the discovery of modern progressive artists like Plini and Animals as Leaders that marked a significant turning point in Tom’s musical evolution.}

^{“My good friend Jack introduced me to Plini because Plini and Intervals were coming to Adelaide,” Tom recounts. This introduction opened up a new world of possibilities. The realization that he could record and produce music from a laptop was a game-changer. “I had no idea you could program drums or record music from home,” he says. This newfound knowledge empowered him to start writing music seriously, marking the beginning of his journey as a composer.}

^{Part III: Crafting his upcoming EP}

^{With a solid foundation in various genres and techniques, Tom embarked on creating his EP, ’ This project was not just a collection of songs but a deeply introspective journey. The title is derived from the Latin word meaning “to come upon” or “to find,” a fitting metaphor for Tom’s personal and artistic exploration.}

^{The conceptual underpinnings of his EP are rooted in the psychological theories of Carl Jung, particularly the layers of consciousness. “Jung was fascinated with the levels of consciousness and the drivers of human nature,” Tom explains. The EP reflects this fascination, exploring themes of self-discovery and gaining clarity. “It was supposed to be sort of like a gaining self-awareness concept,” he adds.}

^{Unlike a traditional approach where a clear concept is established from the outset, evolved organically. “I didn’t go into it with the name and then write three songs to a concept. It became clearer as I was writing,” Tom says. This iterative process allowed the music to develop naturally, with the themes emerging and solidifying over time.}

^{Tom’s dedication to his craft is evident in the meticulous process of composing, recording, and refining his music. He collaborated with other musicians, a departure from his previous solo efforts. “The first EP I did was completely me on my own. This time, I felt the material needed other people on it,” he explains. This collaborative approach brought new dimensions to the music, enriching it with diverse perspectives and technical prowess.}

^{One notable collaboration was with Adam Bentley from Arch Echo, who handled the mixing and mastering of the EP. “Adam Bentley’s going to do the mix and master. He’s ready to go as soon as we’re ready,” Tom says. This professional touch ensured that the final product met the highest standards of quality.}

^{Part IV: Reflections and Future Directions}

^{Reflecting on his journey, Tom acknowledges the profound impact that creating the EP has had on him. “Writing the EP and having this body of work changes you as a person. It has a deep impact on the way I think about music and approach music,” he says. This process of introspection and artistic growth has fueled his passion for further exploration.}

^{Looking ahead, Tom is already planning his next project, a full-length album with a defined concept. “I’ve got an album that I’m working on that has a very defined concept, and I’m writing it linearly like a story,” he reveals. This new direction promises to be even more ambitious, blending his technical skills with his narrative inclinations.}

^{Despite his love for composition, Tom remains open to the unpredictable nature of his musical journey. He draws inspiration from artists like Plini, whose path to success was a blend of hard work and serendipity. “Plini’s music and his signature model guitar have become iconic. I wonder how much of that was intentional and how much was luck,” Tom muses. Not to mention a very popular signature plug-in as well. Modern artists have shown that there are many pathways to align with your internal motivators in order to achieve creative fulfillment. In an effort to explore new ground, Tom has decided that he will release a journal-essay along with his upcoming EP.}

^{As he continues to evolve as a musician, Tom remains committed to his core passion: creating music that resonates on a deep, emotional level. Whether through intricate guitar solos, evocative compositions, or live performances, his goal is to connect with listeners and share his journey of self-discovery.}

^{The Ongoing Journey}

^{Tom Pearce’s story is one of continuous growth and exploration. From his early days with the violin and trumpet to his discovery of the guitar and eventual creation of his album, each step has been a testament to his dedication and passion for music. His journey is marked by a relentless pursuit of technical mastery, creative expression, and self-awareness.}

^{Through his music, Tom invites listeners to embark on their own journeys of discovery, finding meaning and inspiration in the intricate layers of sound and emotion. As he looks to the future, with new projects on the horizon and live performances to bring his music to life, Tom Pearce remains a compelling figure in the world of progressive rock. His story is far from over, and the next chapter promises to be even more captivating.}

^{If you enjoyed reading this interview excerpt, please share your feedback and thoughts with me by responding to this email. If there are any guests that you would want me to connect with and share their story, feel free to send me those suggestions as well! DM’ing me on Instagram is the quickest way to get in touch. Alternatively, you can email me on [email protected].} 🙂