TOM FULLER Discusses His Newest Single ‘Doin’ Nothin,’ His Upcoming 5th Album and More!

“Doin’ Nothin” is Tom Fuller’s new single. It was produced by Grammy nominated producer, Rick Chudacoff, mixed by Cenzo Townsend (U2, Bon Jovi), recorded in Muscle Shoals and mastered at the legendary Abbey Road Studios in the UK.

The live fan favorite features Brian Ray and Abe Laboriel, Jr. from Paul McCartney’s band and is accompanied by a psychedelic new animated video complete with imagined dragons, dinosaurs and space aliens.

Fuller’s latest and fifth album, the highly personal “Waterfall” may be his best to date. It is scheduled for release in mid 2019 with an aggressive and comprehensive U.S. promotional campaign including radio, streaming and digital.

He is currently on tour with Tesla across the Midwest and Northeast and has previously toured with Little Feat, Rusted Root and Robin Trower among many others.

Fuller’s outstanding Rock/Pop/AC music has broad universal appeal, with rabid fan-bases also spread throughout the UK and Europe.  Hailing from the Windy City, Tom Fuller embodies the soul and creative energy of the city’s rich musical heritage – from Chicago’s finest rhythm and blues, through Cheap Trick to late period Wilco.  Tom’s compositional sense also expertly references the British Invasion pop with chops heritage with Beatlesque imaginative arrangements,  rich harmonies, and sweetly-complex chord sequences.

For more information, please visit www.tomfullermusic.com.

Learn more about Tom Fuller in the following All Access interview:

Thanks for your time today! Where does this interview find you?

YOU’RE VERY WELCOME. I AM SITTING BY A LAKE A FEW HOURS FROM MY HOMETOWN OF CHICAG0, CELEBRATING FINALLY DECENT WEATHER AND CONTEMPLATING ALL THE COOL STUFF HAPPENING THIS YEAR. I’M SO EXCITED TO HAVE THE SINGLE OUT AND TO BE FINALIZING THE ALBUM RELEASE.

Now that we are half-way through the year, how has 2019 been treating you?

REALLY GOOD. JUST FINISHED A MINI-TOUR WITH TESLA AND GEARING UP FOR MORE SHOWS LATER THIS YEAR. THE MAIN GIG ON THE HORIZON IS OUR SHOW AT SUMMERFEST IN MILWAUKEE JULY 3rd AT 8 PM ON THE ULINE STAGE.  SUMMERFEST BILLS ITSELF AS THE WORLD’S LARGEST MUSIC FEST, AND IT’S AN HONOR TO BE ASKED BACK FOR THE THIRD TIME.

What are some goals that you have for yourself this year? How close are you to reaching them?

MY 2019 GOALS WERE MANY: PRODUCING AND COMPLETING THE DOIN’ NOTHIN’ NEW SINGLE MUSIC VIDEO, GETTING ONBOARD WITH SUMMERFEST, RELEASING A NEW ALBUM PROJECT CALLED “WATERFALL,” WRITING, RECORDING, PERFORMING. SHOCKINGLY, I FEEL LIKE I’M AHEAD OF THE CURVE FOR A MOMENT – WHICH IS A GREAT NEW FEELING!  I CAN BREATHE, AND I AM READY TO ROCK IT!!

Growing up, how important was music in your life? Can you recall the moment when you decided that you wanted to be a musician? Was it an easy or difficult choice to make?

MUSIC WAS ALWAYS VERY IMPORTANT – FIRST IT WAS THE MELODIES AND THE CHORD MOVEMENTS, THEN AS I GOT OLDER, I REALIZED HOW IMPORTANT A GREAT LYRIC IS. I MUST HAVE SPENT EVERY LAST DOLLAR I HAD ON RECORDS AND GUITARS!  THE FIRST TIME I WALKED INTO A MUSICAL INSTRUMENT STORE. I ALMOST LOST MY MIND – I THINK THE UNIVERSE JUST GUIDED ME IN THIS DIRECTION. AS TIME WENT ON, I REALIZED I LOVED IT AND EMBRACED WHAT WAS POSSIBLE.

Was there ever a time when you thought about doing something else?

I SUPPOSE, ESPECIALLY DURING TOUGH TIMES, BUT THE SONGS KEPT COMING.

If you weren’t a musician today, what else could you see yourself doing?

ANYTHING REQUIRING CREATIVITY AND WITH AN ENTREPRENEURIAL SPIRIT.

What has been the biggest surprise so far about making music your career? What has been an unexpected or welcome challenge to it all?

IT’S A LOT OF HARD WORK. DOESN’T MATTER IF YOU’RE WRITING, RECORDING OR PERFORMING. BUT OH HOW I LOVE IT! AND THE BENEFITS ARE AWESOME – MEETING MANY COOL PEOPLE, FANTASTIC FANS, AND THE FACT THAT WHAT I DO CAN INSPIRE OTHERS TOO. IT’S A REAL FEEL GOOD.

Let’s talk about your newest single, “Doin’ Nothin’.” What was the inspiration for this track and what was it like working with Grammy-nominated producer Rick Chudacoff on it?

WHEN I WRITE, THE MUSIC USUALLY COMES FIRST. THE MUSIC IS SO UPBEAT AND FUN, YET I PICTURED MYSELF OR ANYONE ELSE LAYING AROUND ON A COUCH DOING NOTHING. AS SOON AS I HAD THAT PICTURE IN MY HEAD, THE LYRICS JUST CAME NATURALLY. THE PRODUCER – RICK CHUDACOFF – IS MY FRIEND TOO, AND HE LOVED THE TRACK THE FIRST TIME HE HEARD IT.  SO, AS SOON AS WE HAD A MOMENT, WE GOT IN THE STUDIO AND PUT IT DOWN.

How did you go about choosing the musicians to be featured on this song?

THROUGH RICK, I WAS INTRODUCED TO TWO AMAZING MUSICIANS FROM PAUL McCARTNEY’S BAND, ABE LABORIEL, Jr. AND BRIAN RAY, AND THEY AGREED TO RECORD DOIN’ NOTHIN’ WITH ME.  IN ADDITION TO ABE AND BRIAN, I’VE BEEN WORKING WITH SOME REALLY TALENTED DUDES IN NASHVILLE FOR A WHILE, AND I CONSIDER THEM FAMILY. SO WHEN I DO A PROJECT, I ALWAYS REMAIN LOYAL TO THOSE WHO HELPED GET ME HERE.

How creatively involved with making the new animated music video for “Doin’ Nothin” were you?

I TRIED TO STAY OUT OF THE WAY WITH PLANNING AND ALL THE TECHNICAL DETAILS OF PRODUCING THE VIDEO. I SAVED MY CREATIVITY UNTIL THE ACTUAL SHOOT, THEN I LET EVERYTHING OUT. IT FELT REALLY GOOD AND THE VIDEO PEOPLE WERE VERY PLEASED TOO.

How do you think you have grown as a musician since you first started singing and writing songs?

I’VE COME A MILLION MILES, ONE BABY STEP AT A TIME. IT’S BEEN THAT DRAMATIC FROM THE EARLY DAYS. I’VE HAD A LOT OF GREAT MENTORS THAT I LISTENED TO AND WATCHED WHAT THEY DID ALONG THE WAY.

How does your fifth album, “Waterfall” show this growth exactly?

IT’S A BRILLIANT PROJECT THAT TAKES YOU ON AN EMOTIONAL AND INTELLECTUAL RIDE OF HIGHS AND LOWS. JUST LIKE LIFE ACTUALLY.

When will “Waterfall” be released? How would you describe this collection of music?

IT WILL BE OUT IN THE FALL – THIS YEAR. I THINK IT’S MY BEST WORK YET, AND I THINK IT MAKES A STRONG STATEMENT. IT’S SIMILAR AND SYMBOLIC TO A PERSON’S JOURNEY, CASCADING AND FLOWING, THROUGHOUT THEIR YEARS.

What was it like putting it together?

IT WAS A REAL WORK OF JOY.  IT TOOK 1 1/2 YEARS TO COMPLETE.  BUT IT JUST KIND OF EVOLVED. ADDITIONAL TUNES KEPT COMING AND I WENT WITH IT. LUCKY 13.

You have toured with so many incredible artists so I am curious what of those bands have left the most impact on you and yours career?

LITTLE FEAT, FOR SURE. EVERYONE WE HAVE PLAYED WITH HAVE BEEN GREAT, BUT THE LITTLE FEAT BAND MEMBERS ADOPTED US ON TOUR AND ENCOURAGED US TOO. “THERE’S ENOUGH MUSIC TO GO AROUND FOR EVERYONE.” BILL PAYNE. GREAT GUY. IT GAVE ME A LIFT THAT I NEEDED AT THE TIME. I’M VERY GRATEFUL FOR THEIR SUPPORT. ALL THE OTHER BANDS I/WE’VE PLAYED WITH ARE ALL GREAT TOO, BUT LITTLE FEAT WAS VERY SPECIAL.

What has it been like keeping up with your social media accounts and all of the different platforms. Is it hard to stay up to date on it all? What would you say is your favorite way to connect with your fans now?

IT’S A NIGHTMARE. 🙂 THANK GOD I HAVE HELPERS. WITH ALL THE DIFFERENT PLATFORMS IT FEELS LIKE THINGS CHANGE REALLY FAST. BUT MY FAVORITE WAY TO CONNECT IS DEFINITELY MEETING FANS IN PERSON, IT IS BY FAR THE BEST. NOTHING CAN REPLACE EYE-TO-EYE CONTACT.

What has social media done for your career?

GIVEN ME MORE EXPOSURE, RAISED THE BAR, AND OF COURSE ADDED RESPONSIBILITY TO STAY CURRENT AND KEEP PEOPLE INFORMED.

Who are some of your favorite artists or rather, what musicians have continued to inspire you and your music?

MY LIST CHANGES OFTEN, BUT I MOSTLY GRAVITATE TOWARDS OTHER SINGER/SONGWRITERS. I THINK THAT MUSIC IS HONEST AND REAL.

Who would you absolutely love to work with in the future?

STEVIE NICKS – NO DOUBT ABOUT IT!

If you had an unlimited budget and your schedule was free, what would your dream music video look like?

IT WOULDN’T BE A VIDEO, IT WOULD BE A MOVIE! A VERY COOL ROAD MOVIE.

Where would you absolutely love to hear one of your songs? On a TV show, in a movie or elsewhere?

ANYWHERE IS GOOD FOR ME. EVERY TIME YOU HEAR A SONG THAT YOU MADE IT’S AWESOME. WHETHER IT’S RADIO, TV OR VIDEO. THE BEST THING IS IF IT’S A SURPRISE! YOU KNOW – YOU’RE JUST DRIVING ALONG – OR LISTENING TO A PLAYLIST – AND SUDDENLY YOU HEAR ONE OF YOUR OWN TUNES.  I LOVE THAT!

Do you recall the first time you heard a song of yours out and about?

YEAH, I WAS IN A CAR IN ENGLAND AND I HEARD MY SONG “LOLLIPOP GUILD” ON THE RADIO. I WAS THRILLED, PROUD AND SUPER HAPPY. THAT MOMENT WILL NEVER LEAVE ME!

At the end of the day, what do you hope people take away from your music?

THAT THEY WERE TOUCHED IN SOME WAY, THAT WHAT I DO IS HEARTFELT, AND THAT THEY HAD A GOOD TIME AND WANT MORE.

Would you like to share anything else with our readers about your music?

I DO MY BEST AND I JUST HOPE THAT PEOPLE CONNECT WITH MY TUNES. IN THE END, IT’S ALL ABOUT CREATING A CONNECTION AND THAT WORKS BOTH WAYS.  ALSO, I WANT TO THANK ALL MY FANS OUT THERE.  AND THANKS TO ALL ACCESS TOO!