TOM HAWKES – GUITARIST/SINGER/SONGWRITER/MUSIC PRODUCER

www.mfrurock.com

Who inspired to sing?I think it was probably someone like Enrique Englesias when I was about 8 years old. I'd sang in school productions before that but that's when I started getting into music properly.Who inspired you to play the guitar?Billy Joe Armstrong of Green Day without a doubt. Status Quo were partly to blame too haha!! What have been the highlights of your musical career?Having the opportunity to sing with The Military wives Choir was amazing. Also more recently supporting bands like Tonight Alive and Mallory Knox. What college did you go to and what qualifications did you get?I went to Penglais 6th form in Aberystwyth. I studied Music Tech, DT, ICT and Media studies.How many bands have you been in?I've been in 2 bands. I started in a school band called 'One Man Down'When and where did your current band start?MFRU started during their time at a secondary school in Dolgellau, and at a barn in Aberystwyth, Wales.What are your impressions in the music industry?It's totally about who you know! You might be amazing at what you do but if no one influential knows who you are or likes you, it's going to be a hard journey for you. But that's not an excuse to give up. It's really about getting your stuff out there and finding those people! What age were you when you started playing the guitar?I was 10Which teachers helped you along the way?My Secondary School Music Teacher Leigh Mathews helped me a lot! She was the one who really kicked off my music career. There were other peripatetic teachers who helped out a lot too but I definitely have Leigh to thank for where I am today. Would you consider helping others to achieve success in the music industry?Yes, of course! I'd do anything possible to get people kick started into the industry!Do you prefer singing or playing guitar?That's a pretty hard question to be honest. With me, they sort of come as a package. I feel slightly lost when singing without my guitar. You have your own recording studio; do you enjoy working as a music producer?Yes, helping other artists achieve the sound they're looking for is always cool. I love being able to include my own ideas in people's work too. It always helps to have an outsider’s opinion on any piece of work. It can open so many doors. What are your ambitions in the music industry? Right now, I just want to keep progressing with MFRU to see where it ends up. People ask me if I enjoy it, I always think that's a stupid question, I wouldn't be doing if I didn't. It's awesome being able to travel to different parts of the world with my best mates.