In this interview feature, we chat with Tom Clabon about music, influences, the new project and more.

Full Q&A, links and streams can be found below.

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

Indie rock is, I think, the most accurate way of describing myself. In the indie rock world you’re expected to be weird and sloppy, but also pop a catchy chorus in every now and then, and I like stuff which treads the line between being eccentric and palatable. The fact you’re not expected to be able to properly sing is also a major boon for myself. My neighbours may disagree.

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

Various circumstances with my last band led me to having a load of leftover songs lying around. Songs that were either too personal or too strange to ever bring in front of the band and say “Hey, play this, just ignore the depressing lyrics”. So I made demos of the songs at home – from lack of anything else to do – which turned into final versions, which turned into an album. Accidents happen.

As for what drives me to inflict my music upon the public, I think the only honest answer is “to feed my ego”. That’s why everyone learns to play guitar in the first place, right?

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

My influences have definitely changed very rapidly in the past few years. I’ve been into indie-pop and Britpop like The Smiths, Blur and Maximo Park for years, but these days I find myself listening to a lot more strange, madcap stuff, such as Grimes, Pixies and Chriddof, which barely even counts as music.

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

It started off as a pure exercise in vanity, trying to prove to myself that I could make an album without anyone else’s help. It was only after I finished the album that I noticed any themes emerge, and I think a lot of Unhinged is about being disappointed and frustrated with the way things are in Britain right now. I would go on, but I might have to use the word “Brexit”, which I’ve decided to avoid wherever possible.

What was the last song you listened to?

Lousy Connection by Ezra Furman. He makes being a social outcast sound like a triumphant, romantic thing we should all be aspiring to.

Which do you prefer? Vinyl? CDs? MP3s?

I’ve only bought a vinyl record once, when I was on holiday in Scotland. For the whole journey back I had to ensure that this record wasn’t too hot, wasn’t too cold, didn’t get wet, didn’t get crushed by any other luggage, etc etc etc. It was like looking after a dusty baby. The album was New Boots And Panties by Ian Dury, it cost £20, and when I finally got it home it constantly skipped during the first song. So I’ll stick with MP3s thanks.

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

I love Bandcamp because it’s the easiest way for any independent artist to sell their music, but if I’m listening to music via streaming I’ll use Spotify. It’s great but I resent the idea that that’s the way things are going. It seems that in the future artists won’t sell any albums and will just be relying on advertising money. It makes sense, I suppose, but I don’t like the idea of the music world being entirely funded by Subway.

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?

In some ways the internet has democratized music, since everyone’s on a much more level playing field. On the other hand it’s made the process of music marketing feel like trying to out-shout a room full of howler monkeys. In this metaphor, the howler monkeys are other artists, and their shouting is, say, a Facebook post. Sloppy imagery aside, it feels like a he-who-shouts-loudest-wins kind of competition; i.e he who works out how to do Clickbait. 20 reasons you should listen to my album! #7 will shock you! You won’t believe what happens next!

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

Unhinged is available via Spotify, iTunes and Bandcamp. The best way to connect with me is to follow me on Twitter @tom_clabon, if you don’t mind seeing me talk rubbish.

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

I’d just like to end with a quick shout-out to Jeff Borgenstein, without whom I wouldn’t be where I am today. Thanks mate!