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.”
Wake Up This Day
Tom Misch Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
The feeling's off poor taste
Going back, I'm channeling my few and tasty lover
Loving in me cozona
Through its style and grace
Never floated off to find some real escape
Today, saying he rides away
I'ma do whatever it takes
To take, saying he rides away
Going for the eternal flame
I'ma do whatever it takes
Takes
I'ma do whatever it takes, yeah
Said that I'm gonna do
When I won't come to stay
There was no one around
Telling me what I say
The energy is profound
And I won't cough that day
Put my feet on the ground
Telling me what I say
The energy is profound
Today, saying he rides away
Going for the eternal flame
I'ma do whatever it takes
To take, saying he rides away
Going for the eternal flame
I'ma do whatever it takes
Takes
The lyrics of Tom Misch's song "Wake Up This Day" features a narrative that describes a protagonist caught in the middle of a romantic situation. The opening line "You don't wait for me to cast a wave" suggests that the singer feels left out and unimportant in the relationship. The subsequent line, "The feeling's off poor taste," reinforces this interpretation, implying that the singer's emotions are being disregarded. The following lines, "Going back, I'm channeling my few and tasty lover," suggest that the singer is reminiscing about a former lover, highlighting the difficulties they are facing in their current relationship.
The chorus, "Saying he rides away, going for the eternal flame, I'mma do whatever it takes," provides an emotional climax to the song. The notion of the "eternal flame" suggests a powerful and unyielding force, perhaps love or passion. The singer's use of "I'mma do whatever it takes" suggests an urgency or desperation to hold on to this powerful feeling, even if it means leaving their current situation. The use of repetition in the chorus adds to its emotional impact, emphasizing the singer's resolve to overcome the situation.
Overall, "Wake Up This Day" presents a vivid portrayal of a complicated romantic situation. Through its use of imagery and repetition, the song captures the emotional confusion and intense feelings often associated with love and heartbreak.
Line by Line Meaning
You don't wait for me to cast a wave
You don't rely on me to make things happen and you take matters into your own hands.
The feeling's off poor taste
There's something wrong and unpleasant about the situation.
Going back, I'm channeling my few and tasty lover
I'm thinking about a past lover who was sweet and enjoyable.
Loving in me cozona
There's a feeling of love or warmth within me.
Through its style and grace
This love or warmth is expressed beautifully and elegantly.
Never floated off to find some real escape
I've never tried to escape my problems in a serious way.
Today, saying he rides away
Today, someone is leaving.
Going for the eternal flame
They're pursuing something long-lasting and enduring.
I'ma do whatever it takes
I'm determined to make things work or get what I want, no matter the cost.
Takes
I'm willing to do whatever it takes to achieve my goal.
Said that I'm gonna do
I've made a promise to myself to follow through on my plan.
When I won't come to stay
When I can't be in one place for too long.
There was no one around
I was alone in my decision.
Telling me what I say
I'm following my own instincts and beliefs.
The energy is profound
There is a deep and powerful force driving me.
Contributed by Samuel S. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@jhonnatanaraujo8040
It don't wait for me to cast away
The feelings of poor taste
Knowing that, I'm channeling my few and hasty lovers
Loving in me grows older
Through its style and grace
Never floated off to find some real escape
Today, saying it right away
Going for the eternal flame
I'ma do whatever it takes
Oh today, saying it right away
Going for the eternal flame
I'ma do whatever it takes
Takes
Takes
Takes
Takes
I'ma do whatever it takes, yeah
Said that I'm gonna
No
When I woke up this day
There was no one around
Telling me what I say
The energy is profound
And I woke up that day
Put my feet on the ground
Telling me what I say
The energy is profound
Today, saying it right away
Going for the eternal flame
I'ma do whatever it takes, o-oh
Today, saying it right away
Going for the eternal flame
I'ma do whatever it takes
Takes
Takes
Takes
Takes
Takes
Takes
Takes
Takes
Takes
Takes
Takes
@bosslady2666
You don't wait for me to cast a wave
The feeling's off poor taste
Going back, I'm channeling my few and tasty lover
Loving in me cozona
Through its style and grace
Never floated off to find some real escape
Today, saying he rides away
Going for the eternal flame
I'ma do whatever it takes
To take, saying he rides away
Going for the eternal flame
I'ma do whatever it takes
Takes
I'ma do whatever it takes, yeah
Said that I'm gonna do
When I won't come to stay
There was no one around
Telling me what I say
The energy is profound
And I won't cough that day
Put my feet on the ground
Telling me what I say
The energy is profound
Today, saying he rides away
Going for the eternal flame
I'ma do whatever it takes
To take, saying he rides away
Going for the eternal flame
I'ma do whatever it takes
Takes
@user-yd1wp2di2o
Anton Lee from RIIZE recommended this song for his fans (BRIIZE)
He also posted with "In the midst of it all".
Your songs are amazing thank you ❤
Thanks Anton,too 🧡
@intanfatwak
I came here because Anton Lee from the boygroup Riize recommended this song, and this song is very beautiful.
@Jayematic
This song helps me start my mornings
@supaflyeguy30
Facts
@issydennis1532
it's 2020 and i'm still loving this song
@ewansonpyrbot
2021😁
@TheJbooks89
Yeeeeeeeeeeee
@1cee1ceebaby
2022 💙
@ashaservanda8861
2022 💛✊🏽
@JavierRodriguez-yk6pn
2023