Tom Vek

Thomas Vernon-Kell is a London-born self-taught multi-instrumentalist best known under his Tom Vek stagename, although he did release music under the name Souvenir in 2002. He had his first Vek release on the Tummy Touch label with If I Had Changed My Mind in May 2004, a very lo-fi garage rock anthem characteristed by its downbeat vocals. A remix by Mains Ignition of the track appeared on a Touch Tones 12" split with labelmates Coco Electrik in June. His last Tummy Touch solo single, although he would still be licenced with them, was If You Want in November, which advanced on the debut but was much lighter and brighter, but still had the distinct vocals, only less shouty. Tom then signed to Go! Beat in 2005, and released the I Aint Saying My Goodbyes single in March, which contained a strong emotional feel that wasn't implemented in the Tummy Touch singles. His album, We Have Sound, was released in the UK in April, but wasn't released in North America until October due to label issues. Back in the UK, the final two singles of the jazzy C-C (You Set The Fire In Me), containing the six-minute epic experimental jam b-side Blessing In Disguise, in June and electro sounding Nothing But Green Lights in October (not being released in NA until July 2006) closed the Tom Vek catalogue. Aside from the inclusion of the NBGL b-side One Horse Race in Grand Theft Auto IV, nothing has been heard from him since. Although; he is reportedly working on the follow-up to We Have Sound, rumours speculating around include that he has quit music and is working in a New York record store and that his second album is going to be released this year (very unlikely). Whatever the truth is, his debut album is an essential in my view as it has a wide appeal; from the American rock influenced The Lower The Sun to the minimalist On The Road, there is a wide range of genres displayed from the man known as TV. NGBL's video is below, with downloads after.