Rising from the heart of Essex with a guitar in hand and stories to tell, Tom Cherry is quickly carving out a reputation as one of the UK’s most honest and compelling new voices in acoustic music. Following the success of his debut ‘The Real EP’, Cherry returns with ‘Semi Skimmed’, a vibrant four-track release that captures the chaos, charm, and contradictions of modern life.
From tales of late-night hedonism to reflections on romance and religion, ‘Semi Skimmed’ blends Cherry’s lyrical rawness with rich instrumentation; banjos, violins, and heartfelt melodies that ring with authenticity. “The ‘Semi Skimmed’ projects were written and inspired by the last three years of experience,” Cherry shares. “We wrote the songs to get people to vibe as well as feel more connected to their experiences.”
So we sat down with him to dive into the stories behind the songs, explore his songwriting process, and find out what’s next for the Essex troubadour as he steps confidently into 2025.
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Can you tell us a bit about your background and how you got started in music?
I actually come from a sporting background as a kid and into my early 20s. I was on the FIS Ski Tour, so the transition has been the polar opposite! During lockdown I took my music a little more seriously and starting writing and it really has stemmed from there in the last 5 years.
Who are your biggest musical influences and how have they shaped your sound?
Tricky question. I really like all genres of music, but for my sound, Folky, Indie, Americana artists; Mumford & Sons, Dylan Gossett, Sam Barber and Louis Dundford.
Was there a specific moment or experience that made you decide to pursue music seriously?
I have recently been featured on BBC introducing and this was for me a step in the right direction that I might have something here which people can relate and enjoy listening too on a bigger scale than the cover scene.
Can you walk us through your typical songwriting process?
Always starts with some chords, either the usual 4 chords or just messing about with scales, then a lot of the time thinking of situations I’ve been in/heard of and words go down on some paper.
More recently I think of names of songs which I think make great titles/lines, or a memorable moment. A future release song came this way. Coming up with the title ‘Devil Dealt Us’ and then working on the track from there.
How do you find inspiration for your music and lyrics?
My experiences in life with relationships, friends, family. Even hearing stories of people I haven’t met. I would like to start meeting more people in different environments and create tracks defining their best, toughest times.
What themes or messages do you hope listeners take away from your music?
I am hoping that my listeners can enjoy some reality of feelings and relatable moments. Either it being hope, process of loss or even some happiness as the bop to the beat.
What challenges have you faced as an emerging artist in the music industry?
The difficulties for me have been negotiating social media to engage with a further audience whilst remaining authentic to myself, and live venues/management taking the risk on you to sell out venues etc. It’s all an epic industry of creativity but, like all jobs it comes with its speed bumps.
What has been the most rewarding aspect of your musical journey so far?
I had maintained for some time my Old Man saying he was able to sit in the same room as I practiced/ starting to write… but more recently it was the involvement in BBC introducing Essex first play.
How do you stay true to yourself and your artistry in a constantly evolving industry?
I think just constantly messing about with writing, not being restricted by deadlines or rules and if there’s any gig; big or small, play it like it really only takes one gig to change one listener. As cliché as it sounds.
What can fans expect from you in the near future? Any upcoming projects or tours?
I am in the process of making new music for a future release. The release date will also align with a full band headline show in London and my hometown Chelmsford in September.
Where do you see yourself and your music career in the next five years?
I have zero expectations, I would love to be selling out medium size rooms all around the UK but would be more than happy creating, writing and working with more projects however big or small.
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Listen to Tom Cherry’s new EP ‘Semi Skimmed’ below.
