Tommy Reilly: Backstage, Plans, Sell Out Shows

Cheeky Scottish Orange Unsigned Act Finalist Exclusive Interview

Jan 10, 2009

Singer songwriter Tommy Reilly talks to Suite 101 about the best of Orange Unsigned Act, covering The Killers, what it's like backstage and plans for a new album in 2009.

Tommy Reilly is possibly the most passionate but modest of this year’s finalists in premier scouting competition for new independent, unsigned talent, T4’s Orange Unsigned Act. As the competition hurtles towards what will no doubt be a thrilling climax at the end of the month, many are tipping Tommy for the coveted Universal record deal prize.

On Sunday’’s show, a previously knocked out act will have the chance to re-enter the competition ahead of January’s final alongside Tommy and fellow finalists, Bo Bruce, Hip Parade and Toby Sebastian.

This week, Unsigned Act invited Suite 101 to watch the lovable Scottish singer songwriter performing at Camden’s Proud.

Professional Feedback and Sell Out Shows

Tommy: Getting to hear everyone’s vibe on your music is a big part of it. You might convince yourself that it’s good, but to get someone telling you ‘no, stop doing that, do something else’, that’s a big thing for me. But most importantly just getting to do all these shows and getting out and about. Also amazing is the fact that even our gig at home in Scotland sold out (mine and Hip Parade’s gig). We were sitting backstage going “that’s mental”. I’ve never played a sold out show that my name’s been on. That was the best thing ever!

The Killers – ‘Mr Brightside’

Suite 101: In one of the recent shows you had to do a cover for your song choice, and you did The Killers’ ‘Mr Brightside’. Was choosing which one to do difficult?

Tommy: No. I really like that song and I used to play it before I had enough songs of my own to do a full set. It had only been out a wee while and I did an acoustic version of it, although I played it on guitar then. The week before Alex James asked me “Is your album just going to be you and a guitar?” I wanted to show them that I could make a few other noises, so I played it on piano.

Suite 101: Do you think we’ve seen a good range of what you’ve got to offer now, or have you got a lot still hidden away?

Tommy: Well the television show calls for a different kind of song. It calls for a pop song, you need to be able to hear it grabbing people’s attention. It would be cool to show people at some point, maybe a few other kinds of songs, different from singles. Perhaps some of the slower stuff, that would be fun.

Backstage at Unsigned Act

Tommy: Fun. There’s a lot of hanging about, but that’s just television, and besides, hanging about is good fun. Sometimes we get pizza, sit about and jam together.

Suite 101: All the judges seem to have nothing but positive comments for you, why do you think that is?

Tommy: Don’t know. I keep writing these songs because I love writing and I play them to the best of my ability. That’s all I can do, and if they’re nice about it then that’s brilliant.

Unique Talent and the Public Vote

Suite 101: Do you think you’ve got something that sets you apart from the other acts?

Tommy: Well I don’t think any of us sound even remotely similar, which is great. I just think it’s a totally different type of music. In fact I wonder how everyone’s going to choose who to vote for because everyone’s so different. I’ll just keep doing my best and hopefully people will like it.

Tommy: I’d love people to vote because hopefully they like the songs. If so, please vote! If they liked it and they vote, I’ll get to keep doing this and I’ll get to give them an album. So, if they liked the songs, then vote and they’ll get to hear more songs. That would be really nice.

Live Shows and New Album in 2009

Tommy: I’ll have to try and get a deal with someone else. I really want to make an album this year, even if I pay for it myself. I’ve just got my heart set on it. If not, I know already that I’m going to be gigging like mental, so please come and see me! I’ve got some ideas for February, there’ll be a lot of shows anyway.

Suite 101: Just to put you on the spot, can you describe yourself in three words?

Tommy: I hope that I’m friendly, and I hope that I’m fun, I’m quite fun. So friendly, fun and… oh put quite nice!

Suite 101: Good luck for the next show, anything else you’d like to say to our lovely readers?

Orange Unsigned Act continues on Channel 4’s T4 on Sundays throughout January.