After getting his start composing music for full orchestras, taking commissions from the Museum of London and Channel 4, and exhibiting sonic works at the Tate Modern and the Barbican, emerging singer and songwriter Finnegan Tui has now returned to deliver his stunning debut studio single 'Once I'm Gone'.
Channeling a smooth and effervescent direction from start to finish, 'Once I'm Gone' makes for an impactful introduction to his sound. Filled with subtle tones, soaring production, and his own spellbinding voice at the helm, it definitely feels like we are going to be hearing a lot from him over the coming months.
So with the new single out now, we sat down with him to find out more about his background and what has been inspiring him over the years.
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What was the first instrument you fell in love with?
When I was 5 I saw a duo of violinists busking, and was completely stunned. I told my dad with frenzied excitement there and then that I wanted to play the violin and become a musician. He told me if I still wanted to play the violin in one year, then I could give it a go... And so, one year later I found myself setting out on my musical journey by learning celtic and irish fiddle tunes.
What kind of music did you love when you were younger?
I’ll always remember lying in the back of the bus I grew up in, falling asleep to the sound of the engine and my mothers singing. She is an amazing musician and a big inspiration for me, and I think the songs that she would sing me to sleep with when I was a kid are some of the songs that have stuck with me the most. Some of her favourites were from people such as portishead, the beatles and nick drake and their music is still some of the most nostalgic and meaningful for me.
What was the first album you remember owning?
Ayyyy so between the age of 7 and 12, I owned a rickety old cd player and two cd’s which I loved more than anything in the whole world. These were The Levellers, Levelling the Land and an untitled Mozart compilation cd. I used to love switching from one cd to the other and dreaming about what might happen if someone combined the bright and classical violin in mozart with the gritty and punky folk of the levellers.
What is the one song you wished you could have written yourself?
Ohhh that's a good question, there are many aha... I think that Retrograde by James Blake is an incredible song in every way a song can be incredible and so I would have been pretty stoked with that one.
Do you have any habits or rituals you go through when trying to write new music?
I think it may sound a bit cliche, but for me the process of writing new music is the ritual itself. I feel like if there is anything I actively try and do, it is to focus on the music as fully as possible, and to try and be as present as possible. I feel like in my life all the thoughts in my head are in english, like.
Who are your favourite artists you have found yourself listening to at the moment?
At the moment I am obsessed with people exploring sound in very intricate and delicate ways. Artists like Amon Tobin and Rival Consoles seem to be able to pull so much expression, so much emotion out of a single note or sound. They are pushing boundaries with sound design that make me excited to be alive and making music now, as they are doing things that have never been possible before.
If you could open a show for anyone in the world, who would it be?
Alt J for sure!
What do you find is the most rewarding part about being a musician?
Playing live is the reason I love this. There is something so freeing about sharing music like that, and I always feel like I am part of something bigger than myself.
And what is the most frustrating part?
I guess the most challenging part of the process would have to be the opposite of playing live; being away from people. I can find it easy to lose perspective or get lost in my head if I don't share anything for too long.
And what is the best piece of advice you have received as a musician?
Pay attention. Be astonished. Tell people about it.
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Finnegan Tui's debut single 'Once I'm Gone' is available to stream now. Check it out in the player below.