Musician Tom Parry gives an exclusive insight about his first EP, and being open about his emotions as a man
Four years after his first single, Tangerine Peels, was released on Spotify, 21-year-old Tom Parry’s first EP, currently unnamed, is set to be released by the end of 2024. But this EP will be different, Parry explains.
He said, “My music has changed since then. When I first started writing at 13, it was mainly influenced by my personal relationships, whereas Tangerine Peels was more about dealing with teenage angst. Since then I’ve taken influence from both periods of time.”
Parry spent his childhood living in the Llantrisant countryside, and highlights this as a big influence on the EP. “The tranquillity of the countryside really helped me with my song-writing process and helped me visualise my songs, which tend to be based on the earthiness of the environment,” he said.
“My dad always used to listen to country music growing up,” which influenced the storytelling element of Parry’s song-writing. This Valley, Our Home, one of the prospective songs on the EP that Parry has teased via social media, is about the Welsh Valleys in which his family is from, which he describes as “proper working class communities, and the heart of Wales.”
I can’t think of any way to describe it. It’s like a high
Parry admits struggling with the EP, which will be self-released: “It was a big task. Song-writing comes to me more naturally, whereas the production is a whole other beast. But a perfect product can never be released.”
He explains his song-writing overpowers any difficulties: “It’s very cathartic. The whole experience is incredibly satisfying, and I can’t think of any way to describe it. It’s like a high.” Parry describes his music as an indie-folk fusion, with a hint of grunge. He can often be found at local open mics such as The Pipeworks, Pontyclun.
Despite his reluctance to give much away about the EP, he reveals: “The lyrics are stripped back and raw. I tackle topics that aren’t written about by other artists – some of it is quite uncomfortable – but hopefully people will enjoy the realism.”
Men do cry
Parry explains how important it is for him to be openly emotional. “I’m fortunate that I don’t particularly care about others’ perception of my emotions. I’m very fortunate to be able to use music as a tool to express my emotions,” he says.
He maintains this who-gives-one attitude when it comes to people’s perception of his music, too. “It’s really exciting. Before I’d get nervous if people enjoyed my music. But now, if they don’t like it, so be it.” Parry believes other men should open up about their feelings, too. When asked for advice for other men to embrace their emotions, he replies: “Man up. Be a man, talk about your emotions. For too long, men have thought it’s weak to talk about your emotions, when in actuality to be more open about your emotions – to discuss them, to confront them and to work on your emotions – is a very strong thing to do.”
When asked who the EP is for, Parry answers quickly: “For myself.” He pauses, as if surprised by his answer, before affirming, “Yeah, for myself. I’ve enjoyed the process and it’s proof to myself that I can do it.”