Tom Baxter

Tom Baxter

Tom Baxter is an English singer-songwriter from Ipswich, born in 1973, and based in London. He grows up in Cornwall and comes from a musical family: both of his parents are regulars on the folk music circuit. He moves to London at 19 to study at music college, then spends several years playing the gig circuit before a residency at Bush Hall in Shepherds Bush brings him to the attention of record labels.

Releases and recording career

His self-titled EP appears in May 2004 and includes the tracks Joanna, Half a Man and My Declaration. That last song later becomes the second single from his debut album Feather and Stone, which is issued by Sony International in October 2004. The album receives critical acclaim and features regularly on Radio 2’s playlist. It is followed by a headlining UK tour.

Baxter’s single This Boy precedes My Declaration as an early release from the album. His later single Better appears in December 2007 and receives airplay in the United States after being included in the film Run, Fat Boy, Run. His second album, Skybound, is released in January 2008.

Style and comparisons

He is often associated with acoustic and atmospheric singer-songwriter material, and his work is commonly compared with Jeff Buckley and Nick Drake. The genre information attached to him also includes soul and reggae.