Tom Smith has been the voice of Editors for almost 15 years.
The British band have achieved a huge amount in this time, and continue to release music that not only scales charts across the globe, but also evolves – challenging what’s come before without ever losing their uniqueness.
[PIAS] are particularly proud of Editors, of course; the band are a long-time signing of our recordings division, and continue to delight and surprise their fans across Europe and the rest of the world.
With the group now embarking on their biggest ever summer festival tour, The Independent Echo thought it was the perfect time to catch up with Tom, and ask him to put together his very own ‘My Life’s Playlist’.
In the spirit of always moving forward, Tom’s compilation is heavy on recent tracks that have turned his head – although the likes of Bob Dylan, The Walkmen and Burial see him dig a little into the history books.
Below you can listen to the 15-track playlist Tom’s put together for us.
But before then, why not read about what each of these songs means to him…
Burial, Loner (2012)
“There is something out there….”
I never ever, ever, want to go to clubs. They just ain’t for me. I don’t think it’s that I’m now probably too old, I think it’s more down to my make up.
I hate dancing, drugs ain’t for me, shouting at my mates over loud music doesn’t appeal – I think I like sleep too much.
BUT if I ever do go again I hope I go to a place playing this monster…..probably be vampires there mind.
Jon Hopkins, Immunity (with King Creosote) from Asleep Versions EP (2014)
Enya for the kids.
We made In Dream in a super remote part of Scotland, on the west coast, staring out over the ocean.
This tune takes me back there. I like Enya.
Michael Kiwanuka, Black Man In A White World (2016)
Been a while since I’ve heard a new tune and it’s stopped me in my tracks.
The video is a stunner too.
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Max Richter, Dream 8 (late and soon) (2015)
Colossally beautiful, takes me far far away.
I’m no expert in classical or nu classical, whatever genre this belongs to – I’m a total tourist, but I’ve found so much to enjoy in these Sleep recordings by Max Richter.
Olafur Arnalds & Nils Frahm – Collaborative works (2015)
The slowest, most claustrophobic disco of all time.
I’m always intrigued as to what these two get up to, individually or together like this.
I recently had a stomach infection which has taken me weeks and weeks to fully recover from, this tune sounds to my ears like the atoms in my body shaking under the ill affects of whatever that fucking bacteria was.
Justin Timberlake, Mirrors (2013)
Just because.
Bob Dylan, Not Dark Yet (1997)
Masters at work. Songwriting, musical performances, production….all out of this world.
Our bassist Russell saw him walking his dog on the streets of Amsterdam at gone midnight last year; what a dude.
Anohni, 4 Degrees (2016)
Yeah man. “Let’s go let’s go, it’s only 4 degrees”.
Thank God for global warming, we wouldn’t have this outrageous tune without it.
Lykke Li, Sleeping Alone (2014)
I’m a sucker for a girl singing a sad song, the sadder the better.
Radiohead, Daydreaming (2016)
I’m no Radiohead loyalist – no one can convince me King Of Limbs is a good album.
I think Thom looks silly in his drop crotch joggers. But they are still the best band in the world, still making great stuff, still surprising me, and with this song bringing back a sense of wonder to their music. Ace.
Michael Price, Entanglement (2015)
Makes me feel like I’m in Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy, the Alec Guinness BBC one. I don’t know why.
The Walkman, Stranded (2010)
This brass arrangement breaks my heart. I hope The Walkmen go on forever, it’s all just so classy.
Underplayed to the point it sounds like they don’t give two shits about anything but still so classy. Fuckers.
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