Songwriting Lessons
Learn how to write songs with me; I'm an international touring, multi million streamed artist.
Hey folks! Tom here, I'm a songwriter and performer originally from Adelaide, South Australia currently based in Chicago, Illinois.
I have toured internationally, my work has been streamed millions of times, been synced to television and even appeared in a drone light show! In the years before I began working full time in the music industry, I've worked as a legal advocate for folks with workplace injuries, in a wine store, fish warehouse, bars and supermarkets.
I love songwriting and the art of storytelling through music. However, what I love more is helping folks realise their own story and songs, whether that's through co-writing, workshops or lessons. In this case, my lessons will be focused on you, your story and giving you the tool and processes to realise your songwriting vision yourself. Ideally, we will be working together over a period of weeks or months rather than once off session. My goal is to stimulate and encourage new thought processes and ideas for you to implement in your songs. I'll be offering friendly and fun encouragement along the way as you develop your own material over a period of time.
These lessons will not be co-writing sessions and you will maintain all of your own copyrights. These lessons will work best of you have a basic competency playing guitar or keys, but am very happy to work with anyone at any skill level.
In 2017 my father passed away from ALS/MND which was a source of great difficulty and sadness for myself and my family. During this time I found myself diving deeper into writing and composing music than ever before and I leant a lot during this time. I believe in the healing and transformative power of songwriting. Sharing songs about my experience and having folks come up to me after performances to tell me a little about their own story, for me, is the pinnacle of what it means to be a songwriter.
About
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Male
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Teaching since 2022
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Teaches students aged 5+
I am an Australian songwriter, performer & guitarist dividing my time between Chicago, Illinois & Adelaide, South Australia when I'm not touring. I have written and performed many songs, I have a global listenership and my material has been streamed millions of times. I have co-written music with beginner songwriters and experienced artists alike.
I like to have fun with songwriting and I believe that every person has a unique and worthy story to tell, I can help you find it, develop it and build the confidence to share it.
Here is my professional bio:
Tom is a an Australian singer, guitarist & songwriter with a distinctive, androgynous vocal style and propensity to write catchy, tender folk songs often embellished with ambitious arrangements and cinematic flair.
Raised among the hills and surf worn coast of South Australia’s Fleurieu peninsula West has been working both sides of the pacific ocean since 2018, performing over 120 shows in the period between 2018 and 2022 notwithstanding a significant hiatus during the global pandemic.
In 2017 West was awarded the prestigious Robert Stigwood Fellowship through the Music Development Office of South Australia. In 2018 following a few explosive performances at the Folk Alliance International Conference West was invited to perform at the Philadelphia Folk Festival.
In 2019 West’s song ‘The Call’ featured in the CW network’s Nancy Drew television series. His 2020 album ‘Antarctica’ was written during a period after his father died from Motor Neurone Disease and released during Covid isolation after his album tour was canceled. The album features a collection of songs that have proven to enthral audiences around the word with West’s forthcoming style and honestly behind his storytelling and music.
In 2021 West was selected to participate in the Global Music Match, an international networking and collaborative program focussed toward contemporary and traditional folk musicians. 2021 also saw West nominated for Best Solo Artist at the South Australian Music Awards.
In 2022 West performed at the SXSW music festival, and commenced recordings with 5 time Grammy winning producer Ryan Freeland. In march of 2022 one of Tom’s co-writes, a song called “I Belong” composed with Barkindji song woman Nancy Bates, was featured in the Adelaide Fringe Festival’s ‘Sky Song’ production.
November will see West commencing a 17 date Australian national tour with collaborator and co writer Lucinda R including performances at Thirroul Music festival in New South Wales. March 2023 will see West performing at the Port Fairy Folk Festival in Victoria, Australia.
Amassing millions of plays from a devoted and extensive listenership West is set to approach 2023 with multiple new projects that will be set to excite existing and new fans alike.
“A document to accompany self-reflection and meditation. I’m Livin’ is truly special.”
- Rolling Stone Australia
“A Folk Singer From Outer Space’ somehow offers some soothing solace for the current, permeating state of loss and isolation.’
- American Songwriter
“**** With his unique voice, storytelling and folk sensibility he could pass for a modern-day Neil Young.” - Courier Mail
“One of the best albums of 2020”
- Scenster
“His keening, androgynous voice - in an upper register that recalls Brian Aubert, frontman of Los Angeles indie rockers Silversun Pickups - is a joyously tuneful instrument, meshing with his finger-picked guitars, sprinklings of piano, bass and Ringo - like drums. West’s material … is consistently strong, with memorably melodic choruses…”
- The Australian
“Tom’s latest cut is a poignantly earnest slice of indie-folk that is bound to pull at your heartstrings...creating a sound that is undeniably cinematic and powerful.”
- The Vinyl District UK
My Education:
Flinders University, Bachelor of Laws
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