TOUTE SWEET:Tom Murray takes a drag on his cigarette before holding the dictaphone close to his mouth. Were sitting in a rustic little pub around the corner from Camdens Bullet Bar, the elegantly furnished venue for tonights gig by Toute Sweet (which roughly translated means "all sweet" apparently), the band he formed at music college with Joanna Francois.
On first sight they make a slightly idiosyncratic pairing: on one side the self-taught guitarist, all swagger and heart, and on the other the softly-spoken keyboardist raised on a diet of hip-hop, classical and indie. Even they seem aware of the unlikely nature of their formation, laughing when asked if they could have ever seen themselves being together in a band (though Tom admits, "I was asking her for a while")."Without the course I wouldnt be here basically. It inspired me really to take the music further" says Joanna.
Said course, the Access to Music strand Performing Musician at Kensington and Chelsea, is where the two met, though Tom is quick to dispel any idea that the last year has been a moneyed luvvie-fest. This wasnt a music course for the "egos and haircuts" crowd, as he so wonderfully puts it: "It was completely the other way. It was the inspiration to start getting out and playing again".
"The course brought out the keyboard player in me" adds Joanna.Anyone whos followed Tom Murrays path thus far, from various local bands to solo attraction, will realise that this addition of keyboards is officially a big thing. Having written songs by himself for so long, we ask Tom what it was about Joanna that made him want to work with her?
"She hears things in my songs, man. Its hard enough playing by yourself, and working by yourself. One man and an acoustic guitar, you cant really do much do yknow what I mean? Its been a revelation for me. I feel a lot freer, the songs have got a lot more depth" he raves.
Joanna just smiles.Fast-forward three hours and Toute Sweets set is near its end. The keyboards are a lot more subtle than wed have anticipated, but their effect is undeniable and quite beautiful. Call it keyboard-soul or acoustic anthems-in-waiting, Toute Sweets music is gently optimistic ('Rise'), crushingly honest ('Dont Go Away'), and on newest track 'Tracey', as bouncy as The Kooks in a straw-hat factory. The most exciting thing is that Toute Sweet are only just getting started; when Tom and Joanna talk about writing songs together the eagerness in their voices is infectious.
So, where do you see Toute Sweet going from here?
"The beauty in it is not knowing" says Tom, before he finishes his cigarette.ZOHEIR BEIG
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