Future is bright for Walker

TOM WALKER has had an incredible few months. After rising to fame last year following the release of his smash hit single Leave A Light On, he has gone on to win a Brit Award and score a number one album.

The Scottish singersongwriter talks to us about his career so far, how it felt to see his debut album top the charts over Bryan Adams, and his dreams for the future.

Tom Walker is one of Scotland’s biggest emerging stars, but you’d be forgiven for being none the wiser to his heritage when speaking to him.

If anything, there is a vague dash of Mancunian in there, but overall, he’s quite difficult to place.

“My accent’s all over the place,” Walker says, laughing.

“I was born in Scotland and then I moved to Manchester, but I’ve lived in London for the last seven years. And my girlfriend is from Huddersfield, so she’s properly northern.

“It depends who I’m speaking to. I speak to my parents in a Scottish accent, or anyone who is Scottish.”

Walker’s speaking voice might be tricky to pin down, but his singing voice is instantly recognisable, thanks to his breakout smash hit Leave A Light On.

The robust ballad is easily one of the most adored tracks of the past year, and has been a runaway success, reaching the top 10 in several countries, including number seven in the UK.

Walker then went on to win the British breakthrough act Brit Award in February, despite not having even released an album at the time.

The following month, he dropped debut album What A Time To Be Alive, and it went straight to number one, fending off competition from music heavyweight Bryan Adams, who had to settle for number two.

What A Time To Be Alive has now just been named the best-selling debut album of the year by the Official Charts Company, and is sixth biggest-selling album of the year overall.

It’s fair to say Walker has had a pretty incredible few months.

“It was crazy, I was not expecting that,” he reflects of the Brit Award, the disbelief still resonant in his voice.

On his album topping the charts, he adds: “That was pretty crazy too. It was Bryan Adams’ 14th studio album or something.

“You spend so long working on an album, so when it actually does the thing you set out for it to do, it’s so gratifying.”

Apart from those long days on the road, Walker is genuinely loving every moment of his life as he rides the wave following his number one album and Brit gong.

Is it too soon to start thinking about that second album?

He chuckles, and says: “Not really, no. We’ve only just put the last one out!

“It has been in the back of my head, though. My plan is to just keep touring this album and see how long it goes on for, and in between touring I’m going to write some songs for a new album, but not really think about a particular direction.”

„ What A Time To Be Alive by Tom Walker is out now. Walker kicks off his UK tour in Nottingham on April 23.