Line Of Best Fit Interview
Tom Whyman interviews Tommy in an article on the Manchester pop scene for The Line Of Best Fit.
‘Whats it like being a POP SENSATION in Manchester? Do you feel inspired by the pop scene there or not?
Tommy: Ha! It must feel wonderful, I imagine. If I really became a pop sensation, I think I would like my very own Metrolink tram to drive about in. I’d let TLOBF on for free.I do feel inspired here. ‘Scene’ may or may not be the right word for what we have; I can’t decide. There’s all these groups of friends one meets in the city who function almost like unspoken artist collectives, quietly encouraging each other to write, to draw, to play—to make stuff. It’s wonderful, and it’s very important.
A critical mass is necessary for this to happen: it means one is able to find people with whom to share one’s little ideas; and it provides the audience to bring every touring band and artist one might wish to see—to study them and draw motivation for one’s own work. In that respect I think any large city will inspire, though Manchester has an untouchable charm. This is the place where Rutherford discovered the structure of the atom and where Morrissey met Marr, so if you’re writing pop songs about unrequited love and science (as I happen to be) there’s probably nowhere better.’
