by Sophie Holcroft
Talking to Tom O’Sullivan leaves you feeling truly inspired because his passion for music is so infectious. He has been playing the drums for as long as he can remember, performing ‘concerts’ in his living room whilst banging on pots and pans as a two-year-old and getting his first mini toy drum set at just three years old. Renowned for his drumming talent (and eyeliner), he is now at BIMM Brighton where he is moving towards bigger things.
One can only be in awe of Tom’s versatility, and this is reflected in the many bands that he is part of. In January 2023, Tom joined the band Mindframe who tie together elements of Grunge, Math-Rock and Shoegaze, and have performed in Brighton for the last two years, with the occasional show in Bristol and London. Mindframe released their latest single in November which is available on all streaming platforms, and they plan to play across the UK in 2024. Tom also plays in a “Jazz-HipHop-Funk-Prog-Whatever Else six-piece” called Goetia, which was formed out of a jam session in 2022. They are a force to be reckoned with, as after a debut performance at Ronnie Scott’s Jazz Club in Soho, London, Goetia has since signed with Nasty Mode Records and is recording an album in January with legendary producer, Mark Dodson. Tom says, “Going to see Goetia play live is something that everyone should do at least once in their life, the guys in the band are just the most talented musicians.” Tom clearly lives and breathes music, because he spends his spare time playing as many session or dep gigs as he can, with recent artists including Tamara Kramar, LIZMNK, Molly Thorne and many others. For Tom, “there is no better feeling than playing gigs – once you get a taste for it you just can’t stop. When you are performing with your best mates and the audience loves the music you are playing, that’s a special feeling. Performing is one of the only times I feel completely present.”
Tom’s interest and ability to play such a breadth of genres of music means his sound “is a bit messed up really.” His inspirations vary from Rock legends like Dave Grohl through to jazz pioneers like Max Roach and Elvin Jones and Fusion players like Vinnie Colaiuta. His own musical career so far has been a medley too, starting off playing Rock and Pop music before getting into Metal and then studying Jazz and Afro-Cuban drumming for 5 years. Tom says he “really likes having the variety,” from making people mosh with Mindframe on a Saturday and then playing in a jazz show with artist, Sambambo, on a Sunday.
When asked about the music scene in Brighton, Tom lit up, as he feels it really is “second to none, it’s hard to put into words… Whatever kind of music you are into, you can find it – whatever kind of music you make, there is a place for you to perform. Venues like Hope and Ruin and The Prince Albert provide a stage for up-and-coming artists, allowing anyone to get their foot in the door – Green Door being the beating heart of the Brighton music scene.” Unsurprisingly, Tom loves going to as many live music events as possible and supporting grassroots venues. With Brighton being a hub of musical activity, Tom says, “at least two or three grassroots gigs are happening on any given night, all within about a ten minute walk of each other. Including support bands, you can quite easily find yourself accidentally seeing over ten bands a week.” This constant exposure to creativity and innovation inevitably has a ripple effect.
Tom’s goal moving forward is to keep creating music with the incredible musicians that he works with and to play his music to as many people as possible. He feels that “there is nothing better than writing music you really care about with people you love and sharing that with whoever wants to listen.” Without being prompted, Tom spreads love for his art by offering the following advice, “if anyone is, or knows anyone who is thinking about going out and doing music, absolutely go for it! You meet the best people, have the best experiences and make the best memories – it definitely beats a 9-5 desk job.” Do you see what I meant by infectious now?
Go follow Tom on Instagram – @tjsixx and keep your ear to the ground for his next moves. Have a listen to @mindframeuk and @goetiaofficial and if you’re in Brighton, keep an eye out for his gigs!