Most people probably wouldn’t recognise the name Thom Sonny Green, but you’ll definitely have heard his music. Drumming for world-conquering art rockers alt-J has been Thom’s full-time career for more than a decade, though he’s always been making his own experimental electronica. Stepping out of the drumming shadows, Thom’s debut album, titled ‘High Anxiety’, clocks in at twenty one tracks long and touches on themes of isolation, loneliness and anxiety. Moody and atmospheric, he reckons his debut solo project, influenced by the abstract soundscapes of Arca and Clams Casino, would sit better in churches and galleries than gig venues and clubs.
What made you want to go solo?
I’ve been producing music on my own for about four years now and with alt-J taking some time off this year I thought it would be a good opportunity to compile some of what I’d written into an album. It’s not so much about going solo but more that I need to let go of a lot of this stuff so that I can move forward artistically.
And how long have you been working on this project?
I started producing music on my laptop four years ago whilst on tour with alt-J. I’d been really keen to start making electronic music after becoming more interested in the genre. ‘Cologne’, from my debut album, was the first track I wrote once I got a laptop and Ableton. The project was entirely written and produced by myself. I’ve been lucky enough to write with other artists over the last couple of years but that was mainly for their projects.
Where did you record?
It was written all over the world. A lot of the track titles come from the place of which the track was conceived. I can work quite well on tour as it really helps me relax.
What themes does the album centre around?
The music on this album comes from coping with anxiety and depression. Writing music on my own in solitude gives me a place to go and focus. I think it comes down to having control over something. Being able to manipulate and engage with sounds and to then form a piece of work from that is an amazing thing – maybe the best thing.
Can you explain why it’s called ‘High Anxiety’?
My friend Nichola who I’ve been working with on the videos for this album sent me an image from the movie ‘High Anxiety’ and I’d never heard of the film before, but I really liked the phrase. I have to deal with anxiety on a daily basis and thought this would be a good title for the work based on where it came from.
What do you think alt-J fans will make of it?
So far based on the response to the single ‘Vienna’ I’m fairly confident they will like it. No doubt the hardcore alt-J fans will be like “sorry WTF is this??” but I don’t blame them. It’s not alt-J at the end of the day.
Which artists were you listening to while working on it?
When I started learning how to produce I was heavily into Clams Casino’s instrumentals and also Skrillex’s first EP. The production on both projects was, and still is, something I aspire to. Clams’ ability to make heavy sounding beats with luxurious and emotional soundscapes appealed to me massively. I’m a sucker for melodies. I tried producing some dubstep and found it really difficult to get the structure right. If the drop wasn’t built, then it just falls flat.
Is there an overall message to the album?
I think that anything I do artistically is an honest projection of myself. Like a self-portrait. I’d like people to connect to me through it.
How do you want people to feel when they listen to these songs?
I’d like people to feel good, the way I did when I made it. It’s an uplifting album I feel.
You’re releasing ‘High Anxiety’ on your own Sudden imprint. Why do you think it’s a good fit, and what else have you got coming up with the label?
Having the opportunity to set up the Sudden label is really exciting for me. It means that any solo music projects I release can all be under that umbrella. I’d like to create a place for my work to live and potentially other peoples’ too. I’m fortunate to know some very talented people and I would love to be able to work with them. I’d like the label to host interesting work – not just one sound.
What does the rest of the year look like for you?
At the moment I’m working on a couple of projects with friends and I’m soundtracking a short film Nichola is working on. alt-J are looking to get together to begin work on our third LP, which I’m looking forward to. I’ve not played drums since December of last year which is absurd. I generally like to keep busy working on things. I’d like to put together a photography book too but I’m not going to stress out about that yet…
Thom Sonny Green’s album ‘High Anxiety’ is out 19th August.