Neu Get To Know… Tommy WÁ
Rhythms that move the body, vocals that touch the heart: this is soul in its purest sense.
Hello and welcome back to DIY’s introducing feature, Get To Know… which aims to get you a little bit closer to the buzziest acts that have been catching our eye as of late, and working out what makes them tick.
Between the traditional Nigerian folk he grew up on, the indie that dominated his teenage airwaves, and the vibrant sounds of his now-hometown Accra, Tommy WÁ has a deep-rooted affinity with each of the shades that make up his personal sonic palette. Possessing both the raw fragility of Bon Iver and the heartening warmth of Michael Kiwanuka, the Dirty Hit signee crafts tunes that are authenticity embodied. To mark the recent release of his latest EP ‘Somewhere Only We Go’, we catch up with Tommy to find out more about his rich creative world.
What was the first gig you ever went to?
The first live gig I vividly remember attending outside of university jam sessions and open mics was 20th June 2015 in Abuja, Nigeria, and it was called ‘Roots n Raw’. It was a cosy show that had some of the city’s finest musicians at the time: Jessica Bongos (the daughter of Nigerian folk legend Bongos Igwe); Atta Otigba; Lindsey Abudie; and it was headlined by CEF. I was a photo intern at the time and was there for work with my bosses, but that was the night it all came to me that this was what I wanted to do with my life. Now that I think of it, that was a decade ago.
You’re based in Ghana, and were born in Nigeria. Musically, what was it like growing up in both places? Were there particular music scenes that you were into or involved with? How do you think these influences shaped your early taste?
I was in Nigeria until four days before I turned 18, hence my formative Ibadan years were filled with the most traditional and oral folk music from the likes of Sunny Ade, Beautiful Nubia, and Lagbaja, mixed with the Western indie, soul and jazz records I had been exposed to via radio as a teenager in Abuja.
The first music scene I was plugged into or felt part of was in Abuja. This was during the 2016 rise of alté, with Bantu Studio Collective spearheading a hub for other misfits like myself to meet up. It was at this period I met the likes of Lady Donli, Tay Iwar and The Isomers. After uni, I became based in Accra, and got directly involved in the live performance scene (as an artist and curator), which was mostly full of world artists, contemporary dancers, theatre folks, and some leftist expressionists. In essence, the Ghanaian scene impressed upon me a holistic view of artistry and mediums of expression.
“Given my background in political studies and sociology, I have a textbook knowledge of issues that affect society; music helps me anchor them in reality.”
Your new EP ‘Somewhere Only We Go’ is remarkably heartfelt and personal - ‘Operation Guitar Boy’ is about an uprising in Ghana, while ‘God Loves When You’re Dancing’ is inspired by a true story of recovery in the face of adversity. What’s the significance of representing such stories in your work? What other non-musical inspirations have an impact on your songwriting?
Given my background in political studies and sociology, I have a textbook knowledge of issues that affect society; music helps me anchor them in reality. Hence, such stories are for enlightenment and critical thinking, and act as a prompt for the redemption of my people from the different forms of mental slavery. In terms of non-musical sources, I tap inspiration from photography archives, poetry/short stories, and really just the everyday activities I observe from family and friends.
Tell us a bit more about your ‘Familiar Folks’ crew - how does having this collective inform or shape your work as a solo artist?
Although some are blessed with creative skills, Familiar Folks is simply a community of friends, family and neighbors. It is based on the premise that ‘it takes a village’: you could call them a support system, those I bounce ideas off, those that contribute their time and skills, and those that give critical feedback before the world gets to see anything. For a solo artist, having this community humbles me and centers my focus on the reason I do all this - ‘for the people’.
Who would be your dream collaborator?
As of this morning, I’d say Justin Vernon, Brittany Howard, Alt-J and Fred again…
Tell us the best and worst advice you’ve ever been given…
Worst advice: ‘Life is unfair or fair’. Best advice: ‘Life is life’.
Finally, DIY is coming round for dinner - what are you making?
I’d probably make my macaroni jollof served with sides of the softest plantains in the land and some green peppered gizzard sauce. And just so you know, there would also be some milk, just in case things get too hot for anyone.
‘Somewhere Only We Go’ is out now via Dirty Hit.
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