TOM UGLY has become the surprise hit of 2009, scoring national attention and playing alongside Aussie greats such as Grinspoon and Midnight Juggernauts. It's all the more impressive considering that the band's multi-instrumentalist frontman is still in high school.
Tom Ugly (the band), formerly known as [is], is the brainchild of Tom Ugly (the person) who also incorporates Mahli-Ann Butt on bass, Peter Gabrielides on guitar and Adrian Griffin on drums during shows. Experimenting with sounds and producing much of his work from his bedroom has worked wonders for Ugly, who started his career banging on pots at age six.
He first gained attention by taking out the 2008 triple j Unearthed High competition. It was a surprise win for the 18 year old who wasn't even aware he had entered. His brother had entered the competition for him, only revealing days before the finalists were announced that he had submitted Tom's most recent work, Cult Romance.
No one was more surprised than Tom when triple j turned up at the teen's high school on athletics day and announced at assembly that the young Sydneysider had won. "It was pretty awesome. I thought it was cool that the music I make for myself would be released for Australia to hear," says Ugly.
Cult Romance became a staple on national airwaves; its hard electro beats reminiscent of other Aussie electro superstars The Presets. "Cult Romance was a whole accumulation of things and ideas that came together all at once," Ugly explains.
Despite feeling the pressure, Ugly used the momentum to go on to release two more successful singles - Roll Again and Bad With Love. The music industry couldn't get enough of his unique sound, with The Edge quoted as saying "Tom Ugly is Australia's answer to artists like Beck and Radiohead." Comparison with such music powerhouses may be daunting but Ugly can see the similarities. "It's a big call but in terms of inspiration I can hear them in my music," he says.
The self-titled debut EP was released in August, with two previously unreleased tracks joining the three singles. Hitting the road Tom Ugly (the band) will return to the nation's capital to promote the EP. Tom has fond memories of Canberra crowds having spent his 18th birthday here earlier this year. As part of the birthday celebrations the youngster initiated himself into the pre-stage ritual of drinking Jagermeister to soothe the throat before a show. "It was an old wives tale and I don't think it really worked," he reveals.
Having accomplished so much at an early age Tom Ugly attributes his success to being experimental and taking advantage of technology. "I think the secret to success is being open-minded and not being so locked into doing things," Ugly says. Despite the upcoming tour Tom is already considering the future. "I've been thinking about doing another mini EP, I'm excited about the songs I'm doing at the moment," he quips.
Tom Ugly will hit up Transit Bar on Thursday October 1.
