Who are you?
I’m Tom Killner and I’m a Singer/Guitarist/Songwriter. Americana Southern Rock artist.
Hailing from?
I come from a town just outside of Sheffield in deep South Yorkshire, called Rotherham. No one knows where that is so generally, we just say Sheffield.
Journey so far?
I’ve been playing live since before I left school back in 2012, I knew this is what I wanted to do when I first picked up an electric guitar, signing my first record deal when I was 19 with Cleopatra records in L.A I released two albums with them, then releasing my second studio album independently. And in-between all that doing shows across the UK and into Europe. I’ve had the pleasure of sharing stages and playing venues that some of my influences and heroes have played. When the pandemic hit it seemed like everything kind of just ground to a dead stop the week before we were playing a festival to a couple of thousand people then bam! So, I chucked myself into writing the 3rd studio album and before I knew it, we had about 20 songs to pick from. The plan was originally to have a stripped back more intimate singer songwriter feel to it but it’s since turned into a full band project.
Influences/sound?
Soulfully infused Blues, Southern Rock, Country, and Americana
There are so many influences from all over the place it’s hard to pin down. But I would say that no #1 influence would be Rory Gallagher, my dad and me always had the album ‘Calling Card’ on in the car blasting out, I think that’s what spiked my interest in wanting to pick up the guitar. My other influences would be The Allman Brothers, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Warren Haynes, Jason Isbell, Blackberry Smoke, Taj Mahal, Lukas Nelson, Waylon Jennings and JJ Cale. There’s so many I could probably fill the page! But having grown up listening to Blues and rock that’s definitely still all in there as influence and the last few years I’ve dove deep into country and more singer songwriter genres and that’s had an impact on my writing.
Biggest gig/proudest moment to date?
I think one would be when I did my first European show over in Belgium for a Festival and I got to play with some of Rory Gallagher’s band members, that’s one that will stick with me.
The Debut album Get to number 1 on the Blues Rock chart.
There’s a load more moments where I think ‘man! I’m so lucky to be able to do this’.
What does the future hold for you Tom Killner?
I’m looking forward to finally recording the new album which will hopefully be out this year. I can’t wait to get out on the road for the dates we have lined up June is shaping up to be a nice run of shows around the UK and then later in the year touring Spain which is going to be real fun.
Tom Killner will be playing at O2 Academy in Sheffield as part of HRH Blues 8 for April 2024. Check out the rest of the line up and where to grab passes for this epic weekend here.
Interview by Vikki Ridley / Photo Credit to Adam Kennedy
