Recent single was named Rolling Stone Magazine's "Song You Need To Know", with "gritty vocals that echo Rod Stewart." Powerful British pop/rock vocalist, songwriter and acoustic guitarist now based in New York.
I'm an English vocalist and guitarist who has been working as professional musician for over 14 years in London, Los Angeles and New York. I have honed my voice into a powerful and strong soulful rock and pop vocal, described by Rolling Stone as "gritty vocals that echo Rod Stewart."
My vocal style is often compared to great British blue-eyed soul singers such as Rod Stewart, Robert Palmer and Paul Weller. If you're looking for a tone that catches people's attention then drop me a message - I'd love to hear about your track and what your hopes are for it. I'm a fast worker, and enjoy sharing my process on the track with the client to make sure it is going in the direction they envision.
I am looking for clients to lend my recognizable vocal style too, and create songs that jump out from the speakers.
Having played thousands of gigs over the past 14 years, mainly solo acoustic, my rhythm guitar skills are strong and I'm always thrilled to put those skills to work on making songs sound fuller and more beautiful. I also co-produce, and can take your song from a phone demo to a fully releasable pop/rock track bursting with life using session musicians who have played with The Beach Boys, David Bowie and Tom Jones.
I'd love to hear from you if you want to make fantastic and classic pop records.
Would love to hear from you. Click the contact button above to get in touch.
Languages
- English
15 Reviews
Endorse Tom Wardle
check_circleVerifiedFirst project with Tom. Exceptionally unique voice and a great partner. Multiple takes and he worked hard and quickly to get me what I needed. Great result! Look forward to working with him again...
check_circleVerifiedTom recently completed a demo of one of my original songs. He did a great job, and he did it quickly. He is an incredibly talented singer.
check_circleVerifiedTom quickly joined my thought process, was genuinely interested in knowing what I was looking for, and delivered.
check_circleVerifiedWhat more can you ask for? Tom gave the song raw soul I was looking for.
check_circleVerifiedTom is incredibly talented and dedicated to his work. He went above and beyond, keeping me in the loop the entire time and made it a truly collaborative process. Highly recommend working with him!
Tom has been a great addition to our virtual Summits. His songs and personal guide to what's happening next and where, keep our audiences engaged and provide a welcome break from the more formal presentations and panel sessions. Tom's performances are perfect for any event, be it a social event, a corporate gathering or as a musical interlude in a conference or business seminar.
I needed Tom in a pinch to sing on a kid's song for a project I'm producing. He nailed it in no time and brought the track to another level. Tom has a classic pop/rock/soul voice and great pitch! Recording from his own studio was great as we're in different countries! I highly recommend Tom!
Tom helped me with a podcast project, taking a vague concept and arranging some fantastic pieces for use throughout the series including the theme music and a host of other top class material with an astounding attention to detail and album worthy production. Also an amazing live musician, looking forward to his live gigs returning.
Tom is an incredibly talented musician and singer. If you’re a music lover in search of fresh new artists to check out, do yourself a favor and buy Tom’s cd’s. If you’re a recording artist looking for some top notch guitar licks and/or smooth backing vocals to take your own tracks to a new level, Tom Wardle is your man.
Tom did a magnificent job of recording a unique and distinct version of classic song for the North American chapter of a popular UK sports team. Tom’s vocals were pitch-perfect, accompanying some beautiful acoustic guitar work. He also mixed in several other complex elements to make the track build and soar! Would highly recommend Tom for his professional and polished, yet personal approach.
Tom is a wonderful vocalist and musician. He has played on several of my tracks including one country flavored song where he gave the song a beautiful country voice reminiscent of a cross between Johnny Cash and Roger Miller. Plus some fine whistling!! Plays wonderful guitar also and has great contacts with other musicians to flesh out a recording. Highly recommended!!Fr
I've worked with Tom on countless projects over many, many years now. He's an unrelenting source of energy, tenacity and inspiration. Not one to waste time, Tom knows what he wants and knows how to get it done! As a songwriter Tom has clarity of vision and determination. As a guitarist, is consistent and dependable. As a vocalist Tom is confident and resolved. Always a pleasure to work with.
Oh Tom, how talented you are my friend.
Tom is someone that will re-record something 152 times if it's not just what he wants.
He and I have differing styles, but that's just one of the things that makes it fun to work with him. He'll lend another perspective to other's music and welcome new ideas to his own.It's possible he'll pick up a guitar and jam at anytime and any place; That's one of the many wonderful things about him.
I've worked with Tom quite a bit and hope to more in the future!
I had the pleasure of helping Tom realize his exquisite musical vision on his latest project, The Jacqueline EP. He is a brilliant writer, singer and musician. We then co-produced Alexandra Rae together, and I witnessed, firsthand, how easily and affectively he can take someone's music to the next level and beyond. He also happens to be a funny, warm and gracious human being. If you're looking for real musicianship and vision, you're on the right page.
Fantastic guitar player/singer and all around great person to work with. Highly recommend.
Interview with Tom Wardle
Q: Tell us about a project you worked on you are especially proud of and why. What was your role?
A: Co-producing my new record alongside Brian Wilson producer Scott Bennett and having my production ideas respected and come to life for the first time. It reinforced that my production and pop instincts are there and are worth listening to. It's been fantastic to learn from him, and to also see him take my ideas on board was a real thrill.
Q: Is there anyone on SoundBetter you know and would recommend to your clients?
A: Indeed, my friend Scott Bennett, Brian Wilson collaborator/co-writer. His attention to detail is exceptional and is only matched by his talent, which is why he was worked with one of the world's greatest. I've been lucky enough to be his production partner this past year.
Q: What's your 'promise' to your clients?
A: That I will deliver something you are very happy with and that I will not send you something I wouldn't be happy to put my name to.
Q: What do you like most about your job?
A: Creating something great that didn't exist before.
Q: What's the biggest misconception about what you do?
A: That a three minute song takes three minutes to record!
Q: What questions do you ask prospective clients?
A: What would you like to do with the track once it's complete? Who did you imagine singing the track when you were writing it?
Q: What advice do you have for a customer looking to hire a provider like you?
A: It's always great to have a few reference tracks in mind to get across the result you're after. It's great to note what aspects you love so that I can take them into consideration. It's also vital that you have an open mind as a track is never finished...until it's finished!
Q: What was your career path? How long have you been doing this?
A: I've been playing live for a living since I was 18 years old, serving my apprenticeships in the bars and clubs of Nottingham, England, before eventually moving to London, and then over to Los Angeles, all over a 12 year period. During that time I've averaged about two hundred gigs per years, honing my rhythm guitar skills and making my vocals what they are today. During that time I've also been writing and releasing EPs and playing session guitar.
Q: How would you describe your style?
A: I'm essentially a rock crooner, if such a thing can exist.
Q: Which artist would you like to work with and why?
A: I would love to work with Paddy McAloon of Prefab Sprout. His songs are so beautifully written and yet so many are unrecorded and unreleased. I would love to help bring them out into the public.
Q: Can you share one music production tip?
A: When recording acoustic guitars I always record one in the usual key/fingering, and then capo it higher up the neck and transpose it so that I'm playing the same chords but in different phrasings. I'll pan these in left and right and they just give a glorious and full acoustic sound. Works all the time.
Q: What's your strongest skill?
A: I have a powerful vocal with great range, and it's useful to adapt to the different style of tracks I get to record on.
Q: What do you bring to a song?
A: A strong and identifiable vocal that aims to steer away from cliches, plus solid and flowing acoustic rhythm guitar that adds to the percussive aspect of the track.
Q: What's your typical work process?
A: If it's singing to pre-existing melodies and lyrics, then its a case of committing the song to memory long before attempting the song. Once it's in there it makes performing it a lot easier. I'll usually do about six takes, and the last two will always be the ones I use.
Q: What other musicians or music production professionals inspire you?
A: In terms of vocalists, anyone that delivers a vocal that is believable is what I aspire to.For me Chris Stapleton is the top of heap out there at the moment.
Q: If you were on a desert island and could take just 5 pieces of gear, what would they be?
A: MacBook Pro, Gibson acoustic, a nice mic, Bose headphones and a tambourine.
Q: Tell us about your studio setup.
A: MacBook Pro, Logic Pro X, Apogee Duet and a Gibson Hummingbird acoustic guitar.
Q: What are you working on at the moment?
A: I've just released two EPs - one of my own "Jacqueline" , and one which I've co-written and co-produced for an Los Angeles based singer called Alexandra Rae called "Power To Me". Both are available to listen to on Apple Music/Spotify etc.
Q: What type of music do you usually work on?
A: Singer songwriter pop, rock, soul music.
Q: Describe the most common type of work you do for your clients.
A: I'm often asked to put my vocals on tracks, as they are strong and recognizable. I am often trusted to create my own melodies and top lines with lyrics given to me, and also to work pre-existing melody ideas into something that fits my way of singing.
I was the Writer,Vocalist, Acoustic Guitarist and Producer in this production
- Singer - MaleAverage price - $200 per song
- Acoustic GuitarAverage price - $150 per song
- Songwriter - MusicAverage price - $250 per song
- YouTube Cover RecordingAverage price - $200 per song
- Pop-Rock ArrangerAverage price - $150 per song
- Top line writer (vocal melody)Average price - $150 per song
- Songwriter - LyricAverage price - $150 per song
I will provide three different takes for each song, for your to comp as you wish, or I can provide a fully formed vocal for you to use. Turnaround will be three days.
- Rod Stewart/Faces
- Paul Weller (Lead Vocal)
- Chris Stapleton
- Logic Pro X
- Pro Tools 11
- Gibson Hummingbird Acoustic
- RODE Studio Microphone.
