If Bob Marley surfed his way across to Mississippi, stopped in for a cup of tea with the devil before flying over to Fiji for choir practice, you would be left with something that resembled Tom Richardson. After spending 2012 performing in 14 different countries across the globe, Tom Richardson brings his infectious personality and contagious melodies back home. Singlehandedly entertaining audiences at major Canadian festivals, small bars in Europe and highland village tribes in Fiji, Tom returns with new solo show, a large swag of songs and a guitar case full of stories.
Described as the "best opening to a festival yet!" (Port Fairy Folk Festival), Tom uses the latest in loop pedal technology to create a wall of sound, overdubbing four part vocal harmonies, complicated percussion grooves and lead and rhythm guitar parts, all live on stage.
The majority of 2011 was spent sailing his musical vessel relentless around the country, launching a brand new double album 'Guide Your Ship', recorded with his full band, the Tom Richardson Project. Tom now jumps aboard a smaller craft, returning to his solo roots. Formulating a brand new genre which has been described as 'Blues and Loops'. Renowned for his infectious and interactive onstage presence, Tom takes off on a new wave, armed with nothing but a couple of guitars, a microphone and loop pedal.
While still in his early twenties, having already shared the stage with the likes of Cold Chisel, Joe Bonamassa (USA), The Waifs and You Am I, there are very few Australian festival stages on which Tom hasn't performed. Often labelled "the talk of the festival", past appearances include the Woodford Folk Festival, Port Fairy Folk Festival, National Music Muster, Queenscliff Music Festival, Bridgetown Blues Festival and National Folk Festival.
Similarly, there are very few accolades missing from Tom's trophy cabinet. From performances to the release of two LPs, Tom has been fortunate to collect such awards as Solo Performer of the Year and Best Debut Album at the Victorian Blues Music Awards, as well Best Emerging Artist awards at the Port Fairy Folk Festival, Nannup Music Festival and Apollo Bay Music Festival.
He also received the highest number of nominations at the Australian Blues Music Awards and was a finalist in the Vanda & Young Songwriting competition, Australian Songwriting competition and APRA professional development awards.
Tracks from both 'Guide Your Ship' (2011) and 'Evolution' (2008) have sparked the interest of radio DJs worldwide, including rotation and interviews on Triple Js 'Roots N All'. Rip Curl surfing documentaries and national television programs are also helping spread the word as Tom dives head first into 2012, with appearances both on Australian shores and abroad.
WHAT PEOPLE ARE SAYING ABOUT TOM RICHARDSON:
"Tom has huge potential and the proposed 'project' is timed perfectly to further build his creative work and inject another critical boost to his career in music. I will eat my dinner suit if this project is not a roaring success!"
-Jamie McKew – Festival Director
Port Fairy Folk Festival
"A musician with individual strength and diversity, with a distinct musical personality in both playing and writing. The future holds great things for this talented young man"
-John Durr - Founder and Director
Black Market Music Records
"The biggest and best voice I heard all festival, it shook me through the floor boards at the back of the venue"
-Jeff Curran – Musician/Guitarist
Dallas Frasca and her Gentlemen
"Tom's personality and ability to interact with an audience at such a young age is unlike anyone I've ever seen"
-Fiona Read – President
Western Australia Blues Club
"Each of the performers were unique and impressive in their talents but the best was saved for last with a performance from Tom Richardson. He was energetic and fast-paced, providing a fabulous climax to a memorable night"
-Yasmin Paton – Blues Train Reviewer
Geelong Advertiser
"Tom Richardson, wow…so much talent for someone so young. Tom has the ability to take you from way down south on the swampy deltas, up through the mountains and down to the sea, easily crossing through genres from blues, roots, folk, surf music and back again. His adept musicianship, song writing and storytelling belie his age, this young man knows how to entertain and keep the audience wanting for more. Don't miss him when he's in a town near you, he's going places for sure!"
- Karin Grant - President
Launceston Blues Club. Tasmania
"One of Australia's most promising and exciting young blues artists! His musical talent, writing ability and enthusiasm are extraordinary and his popularity says it all."
-Marg Rubins – Treasurer
Sleepy Hollow Blues Club, Geelong.
"Tom's performance convinced me a young person could play the blues. Not just another 'roots' artist"
-Danny Spooner
Renowned Folk Performer
"The talk of the festival!"
-Peter Thornton - Director
Fleurieu Folk Festival
"A standout choice for Nannup Music Festivals Best Emerging Artist Award. We would love to have Tom back next year!"
-Phaedra Watts – Artistic Director
Nannup Music Festival
AWARDS:
•2012 Australian Blues Music Awards Group of the Year – Finalist
•2012 Australian Blues Music Awards Male Vocalist of the Year – Finalist
•2012 MusicOZ Awards Singer/Songwriter category – Grand Finalist
•2012 MusicOz Awards Blues & Roots category – Grand Finalist
•2010 Australian Blues Music Awards Song of the Year – Finalist
•2010 Australian Blues Music Awards Male Vocalist of the Year – Finalist
•2010 Australian Blues Music Awards Best New Talent – Finalist
•2010 Australian Blues Music Awards Duo/Group of the Year – Finalist
•2010 Nannup Music Festival – Best Emerging Artist
•2009 Victorian & Tasmanian Blues Awards Solo Performer of the Year
•2009 Victorian & Tasmanian Blues Awards Debut Album of the Year
•2008 Port Fairy Folk Festival Maton Best Young Talent
•2007 Apollo Bay Music Festival Young Performer of the Year
•2005 Australian Busking Champion
•2009 APRA Professional Development Award - Shortlist
•2009 Australian Songwriting Association Award - Shortlist
•2009 Vanda and Young Songwriting Contest – Shortlist
PAST FESTIVALS AND APPEARANCES:
•2012 North Country Fair (CANADA)
•2012 Edmonton Works Arts Festival (CANADA)
•2012 Sasquatch Gathering (CANADA)
•2012 ArtsWells Festival (CANADA)
•2012 REOfest (CANADA)
•2012 Queenscliff Music Festival (QLD)
•2012 Blues on Broadbeach (QLD)
•2012 Mount Beauty Music Festival (VIC)
•2012 Echuca Winter Blues Festival (VIC)
•2012 Upwelling Festival (VIC)
•2011 Port Fairy Folk Festival (VIC)
•2011 Maldon Folk Festival (VIC)
•2011 Blues On Broadbeach (QLD)
•2011 Surrey Hills Music Festival (VIC)
•2011 Coffs Harbour International Busking Festival (NSW)
•2011 National Kite Surfing Festival (VIC)
•2011 Wunta Fiesta (VIC)
•2010 Port Fairy Folk Festival (VIC)
•2010 Blue Mountains Music Festival (NSW)
•2010 Nannup Music Festival (WA)
•2010 Australian Blues Music Festival (NSW)
•2010 Tamworth Country Music Festival (NSW)
•2010 Blues On Broadbeach (QLD)
•2010 Illawarra Folk Festival (NSW)
•2010 Wunta Fiesta (VIC)
•2009 Port Fairy Folk Festival (VIC)
•2009 Woodford Folk Festival (QLD)
•2009 Australian Blues Music Festival (NSW)
•2009 Blues On Broadbeach (QLD)
•2009 GreenFest (QLD)
•2009 Queenscliff Music Festival (VIC)
•2009 Day On The Hill (VIC)
•2009 Fleurieu Folk Festival (SA)
•2009 Tarerer Festival (VIC)
•2009 High Tide Festival (VIC)
•2009 Uranquinty Folk Festival (NSW)
•2009 Knox Community Festival (VIC)
•2008 Port Fairy Folk Festival (VIC)
•2008 Australian Blues Music Festival (NSW)
•2008 Apollo Bay Music Festival (VIC)
•2008 Blues On Broadbeach (QLD)
•2008 Bridgetown Blues Festival (WA)
•2008 Peats Ridge Festival (NSW)
•2008 Fleurieu Folk Festival (SA)
•2008 Bluestone Blues Festival (VIC)
