Australian singer-songwriter Tom West returns with his charming new single Suffer For Your Love, out now via AntiFragile Music. The single is taken from West’s upcoming album I’m Livin’!.

Cinematic soundscapes soar effortlessly whilst West’s distinctive, androgynous vocal style is once again at the forefront. Fans of the likes of Jake Bugg and Ray LaMontagne will feel at home here. Talking about the single, West explains, “there was a period where I was working on these songs where I was self medicating pretty heavily and asking myself existential questions. I was thinking about the relationship between love and suffering”.

In this interview spotlight, I chat with Tom West about the latest release, challenges and more.

Full Q&A along with links and music below.

Let’s dive a little deeper into You, the artist and your music. What attracted you to this genre(s) or style(s)?

Since I was a kid in school I’ve always gravitated to (often) lyrically melodic, guitar driven roots or folk or blues or acoustic pop. And it’s pretty much been more or less that way ever since. I remember my friends and I would go to the CD store in the mall after school, you could sample the albums on a CD player – I’d spend hours in there. I especially loved (and still do) music in languages other than English, North African, Latin especially. 

What led you into this journey with music? And further, what drives you to push it out to the public?

I started out by making noise on instruments with my younger brother and school friends in middle school. I never really stopped enjoying it I guess, one this led to the other and it’s almost 20 years later and I’m still doing it. At this point I’m getting enough positive feedback to keep going, if the feedback dries up and there’s no longer a thread for me to keep curiously tugging I guess I think about where to go next then. 

Who or what influences your creativity? Have your tastes in music changed over time?

I’m influenced by everything, experiences other music, books, movies. If it challenges or moves me it influences me and my creativity. I don’t think my tastes have changed hugely over the years, I think they’ve just expanded as I’ve learned more about everything that’s out there and the diversity of people who create those things.

Were you trying to accomplish anything specific on this new project? Creatively or otherwise?

This upcoming album project took a lot of twists and turns and has been a very long process. I didn’t really set out making it with any specific direction in mind (for better or worse) so the upcoming album is a fairly raw expression of my instincts over the duration of creating it. From setting up a temporary studio in a shack on a hill above Adelaide with my friends to working with Collin and team in Nashville years later. 

What was the last song you listened to?

I think it was a song called Cursive by Billie Marten. I’m working on a future project now and I love production on her EP that that tune is from. 

Which do you prefer? Vinyl? CDs? MP3s?

I think each format has its place, even CDs. By for me, the best is Vinyl over for lazy weekends and evenings, my Buena Vista Social Club record gets a spin whenever I’m at home taking a load off , usually playing while I drink wine and try to cook something too complicated for my rudimentary kitchen skills. 

How about this one…. Do you prefer Spotify? Apple Music? Bandcamp? Or something else? Why?

Similarly, I think each platform has its place. I use Spotify a lot personally and have been fortunate to be the beneficiary of some playlisting opportunities over the years. I think all the streaming platforms are great for discovery and ease of access, it’s really an amazing thing to have so much music from so many eras at our fingertips. I also appreciate that there’s issues and limitations to be worked out. 

I also love Bandcamp for finding new independent music. I’ve found some of my favourite artists by filtering bandcamp to ‘latest releases’ in whichever genre and just scrolling through until I find something I like. Its cool sometimes to be able to listen to stuff without going through gatekeeper or algorithm first. I came across one of my favourite EPs ‘bird under water ‘ by a Arooj Aftab this way. 

Other than the digital era overwhelming us with access to an abundance of music, what is the biggest challenge you face when trying to connect with or find new fans?

For me, I think the challenge of distance is the main thing – even before covid. I’m from a city that kind of off the beaten track, even by Australian standards, so touring can be challenging and expensive. I have found myself essentially having to live on the road, of be based in different locations at different times- but it’s worth it because it is the absolute best way to share my music and meet new listeners and friends. 

Where is the best place to connect with you online? Discover more music?

Anywhere! At the moment on social media for sure, but soon hopefully at shows again. 

Anything else you’d like to add before signing off?

Thanks for chatting to me ! It also helps me out big time if you can follow my pages and profiles and things!