Muse Chronicle

This is the third time we have had the privilege of reviewing Tom Tikka’s work, just recently I reviewed the mesmerising song “Something New” by Tom Tikka and The Missing Hubcaps. “Overnight Sensation” by WILLJACK features Tom Tikka, it came out on 14 July and has already became, as the title suggests an “overnight sensation” in two continents since it’s release, reaching #3 on the Canadian Top 100 Rock Chart and #51 on the UK Top 100 Rock Chart!

“Tom Tikka has once again delivered a unique blend of genres that transports you into a dreamy atmosphere, with it’s warm music that melts your heart instantly.”

“Overnight sensation” is an absolute delight for the ears because of it’s impeccable production quality, all the instruments can be vividly heard making the listening experience euphoric,Paul Ringrose does an exceptional job on the baseline paired with Janne Saksa’s piano work that has hints of Elton and Tom Tikka’s guitar and enchanting vocals. But the highlight of the track is WILLJACK’s raspy voice and new-wave guitars which gives you that authentic feel of a rock song.

In this brilliant collaboration with WILLJACK, dabbling into Classic Rock, Pop and Alternative rock Tom Tikka has once again delivered a unique blend of genres that transports you into a dreamy atmosphere, with it’s warm music that melts your heart instantly, So give “Overnight Sensation” a spin today.

Prepare to dive into the mind of the musical maestro as we share this exclusive interview with the one and only Tom Tikka:

1) Which artists or bands have influenced your musical style the most?

So many … The Beatles, Beach Boys, The Stones, R.E.M., Elton John, The Go-Betweens, Gene Clark, Pearl Jam. There are way too many to list here. I have a library filled with CDs, vinyls and books and I listen to everything: pop, rock, rap, classical, country, blues, folk, jazz, punk and so on.

2)What is your typical songwriting process like? Where do you draw inspiration for your lyrics and melodies?

I draw inspiration from whatever happens around me, so I guess it’s fair to say that life inspires me. I seem to write more about heartache than I write about love and the wonderful side of life. Maybe songwriting has always been a form of therapy for me, a safe way to deal with all the frustrations and disappointments that have come my way. That’s lyrics though. Melodies have always just come to me. I write them daily. I have a guitar at hand at all times when I am home. I carry it around the house. It’s more like I can’t stop writing songs. It’s always been where the songs find me and not the other way around. I have a grain of an idea all the time in my head.

3)How do you balance your personal life and music career, especially during busy times like tours or recording sessions?

It’s hard sometimes. I have six kids these days. This is one of the reasons I don’t tour actively anymore. I play a gig here and there but I’ve kind of left that way of life behind. Now it’s time to raise a family. The recording I do after my wife and kids have gone to bed. I’ve never needed more than five hours of sleep, so I have time at night. I work at nights like all the other rock’n’roll vampires!
4)What advice would you give to aspiring musicians who are just starting in the industry?
Success is very hard to find and music is not really a career you can trust. I’ve gotten very, very lucky and have gotten to write and record for major labels but still it’s always been up and down for me in terms of how well my records have sold. In other words, if you become a musician, be sure to have a back-up plan. Only one or two percent ever make it in any way in this industry. To tell you the truth, the percentage is probably even smaller than that.

5)What accomplishments do you see yourself achieving in the next five to 10 years?

I have achieved enough. The pressure is off. I have enough awards, nominations and Top 10 hit singles under my belt. If I am given more hits I am the luckiest man alive. Nobody lasts forever in this business. If ten years from now, I’ve achieved a wider audience who nod their heads to what I am doing then that would be wonderful. I’d also like to release a few more albums. On a personal level, I just want to be a good dad and a good husband. That’s really it.

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