Tom Aspaul

Thomas Paul Frederick Dutton, known professionally as Tom Aspaul is a British singer and songwriter from Wolverhampton. He released his debut album, "Black Country Disco" in 2020 to critical acclaim. His songwriting credits include Kylie Minogue, Snakehips, Celeste and AlunaGeorge, amongst many others.
Early life.
Tom grew up on a council estate in the Black Country. Writing songs from an early age, he would play ideas to family and friends, but was not involved in the local music scene. Instead, Aspaul went on to study Architecture, followed by a master's at Central Saint Martins College of Art and Design in London.
Music career.
Songwriting.
Tom's career in music began in earnest whilst still studying at University in London. Encountering several A&Rs and music managers during his shifts working in an East London pub, Aspaul was eventually drafted to help write new material for the newly reformed Sugababes (then known as Mutya Keisha Siobhan) in 2012. In October 2013, after uploading a demo to SoundCloud, his song "Indiana" was signed to Little Boots' label, On Repeat Records. Produced by MNEK, the single attracted support from Popjustice and Pitchfork. A remix of "Indiana" went on to top the Hype Machine Chart. The original version of the song was covered and renamed as "Feels So Good" by Australian singer Kylie Minogue. Minogue included it on her twelfth studio album, "Kiss Me Once", with Aspaul contributing backing vocals. Tom signed his first publishing deal soon after.
In September 2015, Tom co-wrote and featured on XYconstant's single, "Do It Well", released on FFRR Records/Parlophone in September 2015. The track was featured on several 'Best of 2015' lists, eventually being nominated for the 2016 Popjustice £20 Music Prize, an annual prize awarded by music website Popjustice, recognising the "best British pop single of the previous year". During this time, often in five songwriting sessions a week, Aspaul's other credits include writing singles for AlunaGeorge, LIZ, "The X Factor" thirteenth series winner Matt Terry (and the runner-up Saara Aalto), Snakehips and current Brit Award for Rising Star winner, Celeste, amongst others. He became unpublished in 2018 and left London in 2019.
2014–2019: "Revelation", "LEFT" and collaborations.
After the initial success of "Indiana", on 10 December 2014 Tom premiered "Good Together", his second official single and the first from his debut mixtape. The song, produced by GRADES, received support from Huw Stephens and was named by former BBC Radio 1 DJ, Zane Lowe as his "Next Hype". "Revelation", the mixtape, was self-released via YouTube 19 May 2015, receiving acclaim from "billboard". In November 2015, Tom was chosen by BBC Radio 2 DJ, Jo Whiley as one of three acts from the West Midlands to perform at her BBC Introducing showcase, preceding the BBC Music Awards in Birmingham. Also in 2015, Tom released his collaboration with Aeble (alias of producer Starsmith), "Better By Your Side", which went on to eventually amass over 10 million streams.
Tom released his first full EP, "LEFT" on BLK&WHT records on 4 November 2016, featuring work with frequent collaborators MNEK and GRADES. 2017 saw more collaborations, with Tom's vocals featuring on several EDM/dance and house tracks, including songs by Viceroy, Bronze Whale and Sleepy Tom, the latter of which became one of BBC Radio 1's "Dance Anthems".
In 2018, a new song, "Going Down", co-produced by George Reid, was to be the start of a "new untitled project". After Tom contracted appendicitis suddenly, the project was scrapped and instead followed by another mixtape of demo material named "Lamentations". Aspaul returned 3 May 2019 with "Back 2 Earth", his first proper single in three years, described as "refreshing", "uplifting" and "inspiring".
2019–present: "Black Country Disco" and "Black Country Discothèque".
On 14 September 2019, Tom announced the beginning of a new project, "Black Country Disco" - named for the area in which he grew up (and had since moved back to) and inspired by disco from the late 70s and early 80s. The project would culminate in the release of his debut full-length album. In October 2019, the first single “Traces”, produced by Gil Lewis, was released, followed by “Close 2 Me” in November. Critically acclaimed third single “W.M." was released 27 March 2020. Described as "upbeat, positive retro-futuristic disco at finest", the song was picked by "Entertainment Weekly" as one of "the five best tracks of the week" as well as being chosen by Spotify to highlight LGBTQIA+ creators for their 2020 Pride Campaign. To accompany the project, in December 2019 Tom released a cover of fellow Wolverhampton band Slade's song, “Everyday”.
In December 2019, Tom supported Saara Aalto at her Christmas show in London, his first live performance in three years. Aspaul also supported Louise on the Birmingham leg of her UK Tour in March 2020 before being announced as one of the main stage performers at Birmingham Pride 2020, postponed to 2021.
The album itself was self-released in September 2020 to critical acclaim, hailed as "queer disco album of the year" by "Gay Times", and named "easily one of the best albums of the year", the record was supported by a short-film titled "Black Country Disco: The Movie", shot in and around Wolverhampton.
Aspaul was awarded the PPL Momentum Fund in October 2020, sponsored by PRS, Spotify and Arts Council England to help fund his second studio album. He also performed the entirety of his debut album at Birmingham Symphony Hall as part of SHOUT Festival of Queer Arts & Culture.
In January 2021, Tom released "The Program", the first track to be lifted from "Black Country Discothèque", a remix album re-imagining each song on his debut LP. Including collaborations with MNEK, Kim Wilde, Brendan Maclean and Bright Light Bright Light, the record is set to be released 16 April 2021.
Artistry.
Aspaul is a pop singer and songwriter, though his music has straddled pop, R&B and electronic/dance. Aspaul is noted for using vocal harmonies extensively and his songs often feature his own voice layered several times. His vocals have been described as having an "unapologetic queerness" as well as being "unique", "soulful", "smooth", "versatile" and "effortless". He frequently cites Rodney Jerkins, Janet Jackson and Jennifer Lopez amongst his favourite musicians, although more recently, the likes of La Roux, Empire of the Sun and Daft Punk have influenced his work stylistically - as well as Chic, Grace Jones and ELO.
Other work.
Tom launched a music and pop culture podcast, "Bottle Pop with Tom Aspaul" in 2017. He is the host, with fellow singer/songwriter guests including MNEK, Becky Hill, Siobhan Donaghy, Anita Blay and Clare Maguire; as well as music journalist guests such as Popjustice. Since 2018 Tom has been sporadically presenting on the internet only radio station, FUBAR Radio. In 2020 he began hosting a weekly show on Gorgeous FM, an LGBTQ+ station for Birmingham, the Black Country and Shropshire.
Personal life.
Aspaul is gay. He lived in London for eleven years, before splitting with his partner of five years and moving back to the West Midlands in 2019.
Discography.
Songwriting credits.
 indicates a background vocal contribution
 indicates an un-credited lead vocal contribution
 indicates a credited vocal/featured artist contribution