Music Minute: Tom Cridland

Just a couple of years ago Tom Cridland was an alcoholic, who had nearly drunk himself to death on several occasions. You can read more about his addiction here. Making music finally helped him to kick the booze and lose 30 kilos. With no previous experience in songwriting, his catchy song, Falling off the Rails, caught the attention of the Grammy nominated Philadelphia Soul group, The Stylistics. The R&B legends invited Tom to tour with them and they have just finished played 19 concerts together in 2021.



Alongside writing, singing and recording his own songs, Tom started a podcast called Greatest Music of All Time, in which he has interviewed some of his musical heroes. I had a chance to interview Tom about his story.

How did you get involved in songwriting?
I got inspired to write songs because I’ve always had the urge to be in a band or make my own music ever since I fell in love with The Beatles as a boy. I grew up on their music and their wit and their look had a huge effect on me. I’ve always believed that music is about soul and personality, take John Lennon, for example, who may not have sung like Aretha Franklin, but wrote his own unique songs. Idolising the likes of John and Elton too made me appreciate that the beauty of rock and roll is that anyone can become a star. This deep connection with The Beatles lit a spark that has never got out, so I’ve always wanted to be involved in writing music but I first got involved when I found the confidence to, which, in my case, was late on, after being an avid fan all my life, and after I stopped drinking alcohol to excess.

What has been the biggest surprise you've encountered in your journey and involvement with music?
I started writing and recording my own music in 2019 and, by the end of that year, I was invited by The Stylistics to go on tour with them. That was a wonderful surprise.

How did music help you turn your life around?
Music helped me give up alcohol. What began as a carefree binge drinking at University and some of my best ever memories got depressing when I was 27 and had put on 30 kilos due to my nascent beer bully expanding into a full blown gut. When I kicked the habit I threw myself into gigging with my first band, The Tomicks, and we played 100 shows in a single year, as well as making three albums.

How can music help people even if they don't consider themselves musicians?
You can lose yourself in music. I’d honestly say listening to it is the closest I’ve come to full on meditation. It cannot be put into words the feeling it gives you. I’ve always been driven by a love of melody but so many different aspects to recordings can pull people in. For some people it’s the words that get them, for others who like dancing, unlike me, a simple beat will suffice. Many people say that music is their therapy and, as corny as that sentiment is, I can’t think of a more therapeutic and rewarding artistic medium. Music, honestly speaking, is one of the things that I live for and I know many people feel the same way. You certainly don’t need to be a musician to be able to appreciate it.