- 2022-03-29
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MUSIC
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Sam Tompkins Releases New EP “Who Do You Pray To?”: Streaming
British singer-songwriter Sam Tompkins released his brand new EP “Who Do You Pray To?” on March 18, 2022 via Republic Records.
Initially, the EP was supposed to be released on February 4, 2022.
The EP comprises 7-track, including preceding 4 singles “Whole”, “Bloodline”, “Hero” and “My Brother”.
Produced by Andrew Wells, Laconic, Owen Cutts, Phil Cook and Phil Simmonds.
The EP was influenced by Kanye West “Family Business”.
Sam Tompkins told Jack Saunders of BBC Radio 1's Future Sounds about the EP, “I guess like for me, like my dad's always been very, like, important to me in terms of like, I've always looked up to him. He's gone through a lot of stuff. And I think he's always been like quite open about stuff and I think that like translates into my music as I've always been that habit had instilled in me to just be as open as possible and also like, my family means so much to me and like, it's so important that I feel like because they inspire me so much as as a person that it would be weird to not reflect that in my music. A lot of people are going to be hunting for songs that they can resonate with about family members. You know, I think that's what I liked about making music. It's just autobiographical. It just makes sense.”- He said about a purpose of the EP, “Absolutely feel blessed to be one of those people who feels able to talk. And I do think like if I do have a purpose, and that's what this whole project is about is like, when I wrote it, I felt like quite purposeless in my life. And I was looking for purpose, and that's when I wrote the title track for it. And I think if I do have a purpose it is that it's the spark. If it's not me, it's doing it it's to spark the mind of the person that like helps sort this whole thing out so out the the rising suicide rates and now especially in this country, all over the world. I want to be part of that because I think it's such an incredible shame how many lives are lost every day to this stuff, you know, I mean.”
Sam Tompkins shared on social media, “this project is the most important thing i've ever done in my life. no question. every minute i've spent on this journey has lead me right here; every lyric, melody, instrumental, riff, run, EVERYTHING has brought me here. i cannot tell you how much i emotionally and physically have laboured over this project. hours on hours in the studio, continents travelled, sensational artists collaborated with. this is it. this is everything to me. this record is the only thing i ever wanted to accomplish.” -
Sam Tompkins explained some tracks on social media.
“Whole”
I think '(w)hole' is sort of a realisation that not every problem in the world can be fixed by one person. If there is meaning or purpose to this life, it has to come from being and working alongside one another.”
“bloodline”
“this song was written 3 days after i lost my papa. i felt a lot of anger because of covid and how i felt it had destroyed my final year of time with him. not being able to visit him or spend my last christmas with him. i felt powerless, but then i remember writing this song those few days after he passed with Martin Luke Brown & Phil Cook and being reminded of how many amazing memories i had with him and how they will always be with me no matter what happens. that's what this song is about. there will always be a little bit of him in me wherever i go and i know that now. this is a song for all the loved ones who couldn't be with us today. especially my papa :)”
“My Brother”
“back when i was 18, my nana sadly passed away and my mother had written a beautiful eulogy for the funeral that she was unable to read aloud. my brother and i volunteered as we were both confident we would be able to do it. the time came and i totally broke down after the first two lines. my big brother put his arm round me and read the whole thing. it was so courageous and special. fast forward 5 years when i was the age he was when that happened and my papa (grandpa) had just passed. i decided to write my own eulogy and read it out. my brother was in canada working and because of covid could not make the funeral so watched it through a live stream. inspired my brothers courage those years before, i was able to get through it. i remember looking down at my phone after and seeing the text from my brother to say i nailed it. at that moment i knew i had to write this song and had this idea for this music video.”
“Hero”
“the truth is i wrote this song almost 4 years ago for my dad for his birthday and it's been so hard getting it right. i'm so careful about my music, but this one is the most precious i have ever been about something i've made. after probably about 15 different versions, thankfully i can officially say it's ready. it's honestly one of the most special songs i've ever written.” - source : Apple Music
