If Misch seems surprised, it’s because his fanbase has developed naturally. He never set out with any grand plan when he began making beats, and uploading roughly three tracks a week to Soundcloud at 16. “ I prefer a more organic approach to making music, but also to building a fanbase,” he reflects. “I don’t want a big push on my music as I don’t want to be as big as possible.” And yet, he’s rapidly become one of the U.K.’s most exciting emerging new artists, gaining 1.1 million monthly listeners on Spotify and playing a sold-out tour of the U.K., U.S. and Europe in 2016. Collaborating with a clutch of fellow trailblazers like Novelist, Loyle Carner, and Zak Abel, he’s accumulated a total of 75 million streams across all platforms to date — and it all started in his bedroom.
Misch’s earliest introduction to music came via his artistic family, including his psychiatrist father, a passionate violinist, who would take him to concerts and the opera as a child. He sang in a choir at school, and picked up the violin himself at the age of four. When one of his older sisters took up guitar and later abandoned it, nine-year-old Misch inherited the instrument, and taught himself to play Red Hot Chilli Peppers and Nirvana songs. Today, he also plays bass, banjo, and a smattering of keys.
It was one of his sister’s boyfriends who introduced him to the music of J Dilla at 15, and from then on, Misch was hooked. He took up Music Technology at school the following year, and began learning how to create his own “really chilled out, boom-bap kind of ‘90s hip-hop” on Logic Pro. “When I wasn’t at school, I’d be making beats,” he says. “It was just what I did.” As he began sharing his tunes on Soundcloud, he found the response was overwhelming. “You put songs out and you build a fanbase — it’s kind of addictive.”
A collaboration with his sister Laura, on the jazz-inflected “Follow,” was a major turning point for both siblings after it was uploaded to influencer YouTube channel Majestic Casual. The track features Laura on sax and Tom on beats and vocals, intertwined to mesmeric effect. “That was the point where I was like, okay, maybe I could do this as a career,” Misch reflects. “Suddenly it had 100,000 plays.” Shortly afterward, Soulection co-founder Joe Kay commented on one of Misch’s productions on Soundcloud, asking the teenage prodigy to guest on his radio show.
Soon afterward, in 2014, Misch contributed to Soulection’s White Label series, weaving together obscure jazz samples, guitar, and vocals to create the perfect summer listen (including the dreamy fan favourite “The Journey”). His Beat Tape series collected the best of his hip-hop instrumentals, the 5 Day Mischon project featured collaborations with grime MC Novelist and singer-songwriter Zak Abel, and his 2016 Reverie EP brought the official release of Misch’s most sophisticated songs to date. As well as soulful singers Carmody and Jordan Rakei, he struck up a collaborative relationship with fellow south Londoner Loyle Carner, whose mellow bars flow over Misch’s productions like a breeze on a hot day. Both artists form part of the much-hyped scene of singer-songwriters emerging from south east London, including King Krule and Cosmo Pyke. Each has a DIY mindset and a brooding, poetic approach to lyricism that weaves them loosely together. “There’s definitely a certain sound,” reflects Misch. “Everyone’s music in south London is really chilled. It reflects the vibe of this part of London — it’s laid back.”
Misch has lived in south London all his life, and he loves it so much that his new single, “South of the River,” is dedicated to it. “I much prefer the general vibe of south London,” he says. “I love this area, Peckham, Dulwich, Forest Hill. Singing that line — You should come south of the river — it just felt really good.” With its string arrangements mirroring disco synth stabs and a funky bassline, it’s an irresistible bop that nods clearly to Misch’s danceable new direction.
One of the biggest influences on Misch’s sound has long been jazz. With a degree in jazz guitar, Misch is an avid listener of Robert Glasper, Roy Hargrove, Cory Henry, and jazz-influenced songwriters like D’Angelo and Erykah Badu. “It’s kind of a warm feeling, when you hear a certain chord progression,” he explains.
In the making of his debut album, he’s also been drawing on inspiration from disco, house, and techno, discovered through the portal of producers like Kaytranada and Motor City Drum Ensemble. The euphoric feel of 1970s and ‘80s disco (think Earth Wind and Fire or Gwen McCrae), and the thump of nightclubs like Fabric or Corsica, inspired him to bring more movement into his songs. “I want people to dance at my live shows, I want to bring more energy,” he says. “When you’re in a club and you can feel the bass...I want people to have that experience.”
Misch’s sound is true to its roots — he still makes his tracks in the same bedroom studio in his parents’ house, and his mum produces his artwork. (“ Her work is very DIY, just like my music, and feels homespun,” he explains.) But he’s never afraid to explore new territory. “I think it’s really important to make music that hasn’t been made before,” he says. “I’m trying to work out what my sound is, and pursuing that.” Fans might think they know his style, but Misch is a restless experimentalist, keen to spend endless hours honing his craft. One of his favorite new songs is a “Brazilian-sounding” jam that reflects how deeply he feels about his work. As he puts it: “It’s about how you can’t take away my love for music. I’ll always have that.”
Follow
Tom Misch Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
But follow your heart dear
I know your dreams are clear
Don't you know we all fit in
Don't be afraid of who you want to be
Remember I'm here
So m-m m-m-m-m maybe you should
And the rest will follow
It will follow
It will follow
It will follow
I know you feel good here
In the space of your own
But time should make you realise
There's more than this
Remove the label that you were assigned
Forget the limits that they taught you
So m-m m-m-m-m maybe you should
Take the first step
And the rest will follow
It will follow
It will follow
It will follow
In Tom Misch's song "Follow", the singer is encouraging someone to follow their heart and dreams, even if it means stepping out of their comfort zone. The first verse establishes that the person feels content where they are, but the singer recognizes that they have a greater potential and encourages them to take the first step towards making their dreams a reality. The chorus reassures the listener that if they take the first step, the rest will follow, suggesting that success will come with perseverance and determination.
The second and third verses build on this theme, urging the listener to shed the labels and limitations that they may have been assigned or taught. The singer encourages them to look beyond the confines of their current situation and to envision a broader horizon where they can fully embrace who they want to be.
Overall, "Follow" is a song about taking risks and pursuing one's passions despite the fear of failure or the pressure to conform. It's a reminder that it's never too late to chase your dreams and to trust in yourself.
Line by Line Meaning
I know it's alright here
I understand your current situation is tolerable
But follow your heart dear
However, pursue what you truly desire
I know your dreams are clear
I acknowledge that you have a definite vision of what you want
Don't you know we all fit in
Remember that we all belong and have a place
Don't be afraid of who you want to be
Do not allow fear to hold you back from becoming the person you aspire to be
Remember I'm here
Always know that I am present for you and support you
So m-m m-m-m-m maybe you should
Perhaps it is in your best interest to
Take the first step
Initiate action towards creating change
And the rest will follow
The subsequent steps will eventually fall into place
It will follow
The desired outcome will manifest
I know you feel good here
I sense that you are comfortable in your current situation
In the space of your own
Within your own environment
But time should make you realise
However, with time, you should come to the realization
There's more than this
There are greater possibilities beyond what you currently experience
Remove the label that you were assigned
Do away with the limitations that have been placed on you by others
Forget the limits that they taught you
Disregard the constraints that have been instilled in you
It will follow
The desired outcome will manifest
It will follow
The desired outcome will manifest
It will follow
The desired outcome will manifest
Contributed by Nicholas G. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@rellic1527
these lyrics spoke to me while i was high
"I know you feel good here
In the space of your own
But time should make you realise
There's more than this
Remove the label that you were assigned
Forget the limits they taught you
So maybe you should
Take the first step
And the rest will follow"
i think its time to put down the weed..
@majesticcasual
This track made my day :)
Suggested Videos
• Saux & Joya Mooi - Fractures
• Gonjasufi - Love Of Reign (Okinawa Lifestyle Remix)
@charrysalce4580
pls suggests more tracks like this. Love of reign is so good
@louisiana_hotsauce3746
I was homeless back in 2014 at the age of 19 and my mom started doing drugs. This song brought through a lot when times got hard. Now that I look back it's a very bittersweet feeling. Thanks to people with good hearts and kind spirits.. peace and love.
@drakenlover76
Thank u Taehyung 🤧💗
@julithefantastic6197
here from taehyung's weverse comment!! love this song 💜
@amal5270
V really has a good taste 🥺🥺
@kyokod.ackerman8820
Yeaaaaaah
@scrittorex3549
well, taehyung brought me here
his music taste is always the best 💜
@trash7785
I'm here because of Tae's Weverse post lol, the song is really good! 💜
@charrysalce4580
All Tom misch's songs are addicting