by Evelyn J. Mocbeichel
If over the last few years you’ve dined out in some Hampton hot spots, then surely you would have listened to music by English singer, song writer and guitarist Tom Wardle. He’s also been a regular at many Montauk restaurants during the season, and then over the winter he resides in Turks and Caicos performing. Now Tom is back again in the Hamptons! Originally hailing from Nottingham, England he has been performing for a living for 11 years now. Wardle has since become a live music staple in New York City and the Hamptons, performing at exclusive industry parties for celebrities including Donna Karan, as well as being featured in socialite must-read Hamptons Magazine. He is now playing at the Bridgehampton Inn on Friday nights 6-9 pm and he’ll be regularly at Wolffer Estate Vineyard in Sagaponack throughout the summer.
Brooklyn-based British rocker Wardle returns with irresistible new power-pop track, Secret, following his critically acclaimed single Jacqueline, which Rolling Stone named one of their Songs You Need To Know of 2019. Secret, an anthem bursting with defiant, hopeful energy, and rallying cry features rich, layered guitars and a heartfelt chorus chant. Coupled with Wardle’s earnest, raspy vocals, Secret echoes the swagger of classic rock artists such as Thin Lizzy and The Faces. The single sees Tom team up again with members of the Brian Wilson band in Hollywood, whom he worked with previously on 2019’s Jacqueline EP.
Secret, written about a fight back after a fall from grace, the song speaks of personal determination and the longing to be heard again. The theme was picked up by English soccer’s legendary underdogs and former European Champions Nottingham Forest (of whom Wardle is a lifelong fan). To his delight, the club is using the song as their adopted anthem to galvanize fans on social media when the current season restarts in mid-June, as the club anticipates a return to the English top flight after a 20 year absence. Just listen to Wardle’s song on YouTube or Spotify and you’ll see why this upbeat, catchy, must –get- up and dance to music is a winner and soon to be chart topper! Wardle said “Forest’s worldwide fan base is unique in that they feel like a family, and I wanted to honor those fans with the song. The video montage which it accompanies really makes you swell with pride to be associated with such a great city and club.” In addition, Wardle also has partnered with Queen’s Roger Taylor’s latest investment, London based audio tech startup IRIS, to become the first artist to incorporate their ‘active listening’ technology into the mix of a track. IRIS uses a proprietary algorithm which unlocks the ‘live’ dimension that’s lost in digital compression, dramatically improving the quality of audio on streaming services.
IRIS’s Founder and CEO Jacobi Anstruther says, “IRIS is excited to work with young emerging talent like Tom Wardle. IRIS and Tom share a passion for breaking musical boundaries and through the use of IRIS audio technology in the recording of Secret, this is a great example of how creativity and technology can come together.” Secret has already found radio play on both sides of the Atlantic with NPR’s WPPB in New York play listing the track, and BBC Introducing in the UK championing its release with airplay. Ronnie Wood (The Rolling Stones) has praised Wardle’s music on social media, while Ivor Novello-winning lyricist Chris Difford (Squeeze) co-produced tracks on the Jacqueline EP. To find out more about IRIS visit www.irislistenwell.com. Secret is available to download and stream from all platforms since June 12th. Visit Tom on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
