Tom O.C Wilson is a London-based Anglo-American with an insatiable appetite for musical discovery. His music straddles the line between the classic English pop songwriting tradition (Ray Davies, Andy Partridge, Damon Albarn) and the sophistication of current US acts such as Dirty Projectors and Deerhoof. Yet his musical canvas also draws upon wider influences, be that the exuberance of contemporary jazz (Denys Baptiste, John Hollenbeck), the raw emotional impact of twentieth century classical composition (Olivier Messiaen, György Ligeti), or the irresistible rhythmic pull of Sardinian guitarists such as Paolo Angeli and Marino De Rosas.
Tom began making music as a solo act working under the name Freeze Puppy. In this guise he supported the likes of Devendra Banhart, Micachu and the Shapes and Field Music, and released two albums on Pickled Egg Records, both of which gained airplay on BBC Radio 3 and BBC 6 Music. Now operating under his own name, his current group features the dynamic and musically sensitive trio of James Ashdown (drums), Steve Haynes (bass) and Steve Troughton (keyboard). The band's latest initiative is the night "Pop Composition" at the Windmill, Brixton, where they invite acts with an interesting take on the pop sensibility to perform short bursts of music back to back. Previous guests include Magnus Loom, Paul Mosley, French For Cartridge, and Kavus Torabi of Knifeworld.
Aside from his solo work, Tom also writes and performs with the minimalist pop duo Beetles, and has composed for a host of other performers, including Sudden Junction, Flam Productions, CoMA Bristol and the Ben See band.
"Audaciously complex and eminently digestible....pop created in limits, existing in joyous disregard of them. The best kind." - John Stevens, Qu Junktions.
"Brilliantly conceived and executed, full of great songs, amazing detail, intriguing lyrics. Not once does the quality drop....very fine work!" - Iain Chambers, The Guardian.
"Elegant and gorgeous combination of chamber music and pop" - Maarten Schiethart, Penny Black Music.
"Blew my mind" - Devendra Banhart.