Tom Savage

Tom Savage

Tom Savage is a Canadian singer-songwriter whose work spans rock, folk and country. He is associated with the Tom Savage Trio and Dead Root Revival.

Career and style

He records and performs as a songwriter and vocalist, with a sound that is difficult to place in a single genre. His writing draws on folk, rock and folk-rock, and he also incorporates country elements. His voice and guitar style are compared with artists such as Mark Knopfler, Bruce Springsteen and Steve Young.

Never Shed No Tears

His album Never Shed No Tears is a central release in his catalogue. It includes “Beneath the Rocks”, “The State We're In”, “Hang Your Head and Cry” and “Wrong Side of Town”. The album is noted for moving between styles: “Beneath the Rocks” features Knopfler-like vocals and a short guitar break; “The State We're In” brings in 1970s British rock and a Pink Floyd-like touch; “Hang Your Head and Cry” is a political song with a folk influence; and “Wrong Side of Town” leans toward jazz, with a guitar sound reminiscent of early Steely Dan.

Songwriting and influences

Savage's writing is described as individual rather than formulaic, with influences that appear line by line rather than across entire songs. His work is linked to artists including John Campbell, Knopfler, Springsteen and Steve Young, alongside other less widely known musicians. The album also features contributions from other musicians, with Geoff Chown credited as part of the process that helps bring the recording together.