Sydney singer-songwriter Tom Stephens has just released his debut album, the fantastic What Lies In The Difference, and we’ve asked him to take us through the album process, from recording with good mate Julia Jacklin, to being inspired by a night out with a woman named Mariam with one hell of a story.
Following on from the release of his sophomore EP Embers back in 2014, Stephens’ debut album is a loose, flowing journey into his psyche, backed with humble guitar and a smooth, inviting vocals, taking clear inspiration from artists like Wilco and AA Bondy.
What Lies In The Difference is out now, and he’ll be touring the record through Sydney and Melbourne in October, dates below. Definitely one to catch in a live setting!
What Lies in the Difference
The title track and opener of the record, I think it best sums up the common thematic thread that runs throughout the 9 songs. Exploring the many unknowns that arise when having to make particular decisions. Often times we’re forced to dive in, never being able to know how things might have ended up if that particular decision was a different one.
Tracked live at Defwolf Studios in Sydney with my band. Tobia Blefari blazes on the tubs in this one. The mighty Cam Whipp always keeping it flavoursome on the bass guitar.
Who’s to Say
We recorded this one pretty much completely live as well and I think you can feel it. I love all the textures and guitar tones on this one. Thematically it’s exploring moral reasoning, judgement and decision-making. Heavy stuff I know but the more I am exposed to seeing how other people live their lives I find it more and more difficult to justify my way of living as being the right way.
I’m doing as much guesswork as the next person. Often times I think the best thing we can do is trust our intuition and try and commit to the decisions that we make. You can beat yourself up wondering about the ifs and buts.
Before we recorded this particular take, I gave the band a hypothetical situation and asked them to imagine that the local team had just won the grand final, and we’re the band playing in the pub after the game. Sometimes it pays to get weird.
Dreams Without You
You’re attracted to someone, you make it happen with them, and then the mystery is gone and that initial magic is lost. I know it may not true to every relationship, and it’s not a particularly positive thing, but I’ve definitely experienced it before. The unknown is always appealing.
Was lucky to have my two friends with golden pipes Aislinn Bevis and Georgia Mulligan provide big harmonies in the chorus. My guitarist Monty Richmond joined the band only this year so he overdubbed some lead parts and swells later in the piece. He’s a beast.
Any Less of a Man
It’s written from the perspective of my Grandfather, asking how his wife views him after 60 years of marriage, and whether it’s changed after all they’ve experienced together. Kinda exploring a similar phenomenon to ‘Dreams Without You’ but looking at it from a marriage perspective.
The choir that comes in for the last chorus was tracked at my family home in Cronulla. Consisting of both my grandfathers alongside my father and Uncle Gav. All married men for over a hundred years between them. They’re not the ‘Kings College Choir’ but I reckon you can hear the experience in their voices. I’m a big fan of imperfections. So stoked to have that time together documented, it’s special stuff.
Peter Pan
Recorded late one night by the fire at the farm that we tracked a lot of the album at in the Blue Mountains. Written while reminiscing on my younger days, in particular the time that I spent living in Kangaroo Valley as a teenager. We had to go away for six months and live in the bush as a compulsory thing with school. It was tough but an amazing time and pretty foundational for me as a person.
I love how a lot of the room sound is captured in the recording; we wanted it to sound as raw and unaffected as we could. You can hear the fire cracking if you listen carefully.
Down to Rest
It’s written about a friend’s parents. I tried to best express my observations of what I perceive to be a weathered marriage, only maintained through the sense of duty that comes with building a family and keeping up appearances. Tracked live with the band at Defwolf Studios and then some extra treats were added at the farm along with the vocals.
King of the keys, Mr. Chris Long makes a strong feature in this one. I’m blessed to have had a bunch of extremely talented musicians contribute to the record.
Mariam
Ryan did a killer job with the production throughout the record but I think it really shows on this one. Every element and texture sits nicely. I’m super happy with the swells at the start of this track. The doubled vocal hits hard as well.
My best mate and I met a woman named Mariam out in Newtown one night and had a few drinks with her. She was born in Africa and made her way to Australia and found herself getting heavily into drugs. Her younger years in Africa sounded like a heavy time and it was clear she was holding onto a lot of that. Tried to capture a bit of her story in this one.
What Would I Be
I’m fascinated by long term relationships, how people manage to make them work. I’m lucky to have some solid examples in my life of the constant give and take that’s required to make them work. I’m sure plenty of times it can seem appealing to get up and bail when things aren’t coming easily. Not planning on having little ones running around any time soon but I’m sure when that time comes around the reality of committing yourself to someone would become very real.
My good friend Julia Jacklin sings on this one. I’m very fortunate to have her in my life as a constant collaborator and confidant. It’s cool having people to share the journey with.
Ever Incandescent
It’s my favourite track on the album. I tracked the drums on this one while my bass player Cam and drummer at the time Tobia laid down additional percussion in the same room. The result is pretty weird, but cool. Weird-cool.
The song is mainly exploring how each relationship can bring lessons, regardless of whether it works out long term or not. There’s always something to take away from the time spent.
What Lies In The Difference Album Launch Tour
Saturday, October 15th
(With Georgia Mulligan & Egoism)
Oxford Circus, Sydney (Free)
Saturday, October 16th
(With The Luke Brennan Trip & Forever Son)
The Old Bar, Melbourne
