A Thomas Headon interview that we like and think you will too, at Barn on the Farm 2023

Lilyemma: Hello! We're finally all together!

Thomas: We did it!

Lilyemma: This has been a year in the making. We saw you at a show back in March over a year ago.

Thomas: Was it at PRYZYM? Was it this one? No... It was somewhere else

Eliz: We've had so many different run-ins that at this point it's like "How has this not happened?"

Thomas: There was another festival as well that I saw you guys at.

Lilyemma: It was Barn on the Farm a year ago

Thomas: Was it this a year ago?

Lilyemma: Yeah, and you were like "Can we go do it now?" and we were like "We're not ready." So you gave us a year to prepare

Thomas: There you go, okay!

Eliz: Because you guys don't understand - we're very geographically complimentary that I'm not sure how it hasn't happened yet. And, we've had to come to Gloucester to make this work.

Thomas: Because you're in London as well?

Lilyemma: Yeah, we're in East London.

Thomas: That's crazy, I'm surprised we don't just run into each other in the streets.

Lilyemma: We'll just do a street interview next time.

Thomas: Yeah, just while we're walking somewhere, yeah.

Lilyemma: Well, the reason why it's been so hard to pin you down is because you've been so busy with tour. And you've done so much, every time we see you you're doing another show, or you supported the Vamps, which was huge.

Thomas: Yep, that was fun.

Lilyemma: How are you finding it, are you loving touring?

Thomas: Yeah, definitely. Touring is why I do it, man. Touring's the best. I had a really big year of touring last year and I was told this year wouldn't be as big. But now that I'm in it, it feels just as big, but it's great.

Lilyemma: Every month it's something new, every time we think you're done with touring, there's more touring.

Thomas: I love it, it's fun. I'm living my best life, it's great.

Eliz: It's cute, it's cute. And you cited iconic boybands as your inspiration and you've called 'W4NNA DO' as a One Direction B-Side. Yeah, we caught that.

[We all excitedly talk over one another about the wildness of seeing Thomas call the song that on Instagram.]

Thomas: It was first said on TikTok, I didn't say it first. Someone said it on TikTok and then I ran with it because that's a compliment in my opinion.

Lilyemma: And it's true!

Thomas: It is - well, if you say so.

Lilyemma: It's a One Direction A-Side, don't put yourself down!

Thomas: Ah, stop it guys!

Eliz: So I guess with that, the next question would be on a more analytical level - can you talk to us a bit about how your inspirations have built you and shaped you, not only as an artist and a person?

Thomas: I think, ooh that's a really good question. Hmm, deep. I think...

Lilyemma: So intense, we've gone from "B-Sides" to...

Thomas: Ahh, that was funny... How do they shape me! I think I've always been, not obsessed but, a big fan of fan culture and I think a lot of people are like "How are you so good with your fans?" and I think it's because I grew up in the time where I saw the way my sister interacted with One Direction on Twitter and The 1975 on Tumblr and shit. So I think that to me, is how you interact with fans, and I love it, it's fun, it's great. And I have a fun time doing it. It doesn't really feel like work and it is work. Which I don't like thinking about because it makes it sound like I don't love doing it, and I do love doing it. I don't know, how it shapes the music? It doesn't really, I don't think, but definitely the culture I think it shapes.

Eliz: More like the way you go about things?

Thomas: Yes, totally. That's it.

Lilyemma: It's funny that you said about fan culture because that's one thing we always found with you. I think you've got the strongest connection with all of your fans. And it's so nice to see, and sure a big part of it is social media. What we were thinking is people are really quick to bash social media and TikTok in particular, but you really make it work for you. And I think it's built such a nice fanbase, and what we were wondering is how you find - obviously it still has its downsides - social media has helped you? How does taking part in that fan culture, but on the other side to what you saw with your sister?

Thomas: Yeah, I think it basically is and has my entire career. Without it, I don't have a place to exist. You know, like you said, there's the positive side that anyone can do it now, which is great. There is downsides obviously - I've not experienced too many of them. But yeah, I gathered an audience... How the fuck do you say "got fans" without saying "got fans"?

[We all question the wording then decide on "build a community".]

Thomas: "Built a community" at a time where there was nothing to do, besides be on social media. So I think it is just - it's my everything, without being, it is everywhere that I exist.

Lilyemma: It's nice to see someone who sees it as part of it but not as a chore, which I think you have. Especially with multiple TikTok accounts. It's nice that you have a healthier relationship than a lot of artists who feel like they must do it and must have fan connections.

Thomas: Yeah, I like to make it feel that way. I hope this doesn't come across as me bashing other artists that say that, but these days it's just part of the package, part of the job. You know, if you look back, artists didn't used to make music videos. And then MTV existed and everyone was like "Well, why'd I have to make a music video?" and it's just like, well, it's just what we have to do now. We're just going forward, so I think that's it.

Lilyemma: Magazine articles used to be the big thing, and they're coming back now but social media is just another form of promotion like how that was.

Thomas: Totally, I think that's the best way to put it.

Eliz: It's nice to see that you're taking it in your stride. When we spoke to other artists, if we ask a similar question, it's so "TikTok - we don't want to but we have to" so it's refreshing that you have the positive outlook on it.

Eliz: So, we are heavy on the fan-front, we have another fan question. What is one of your favourite fan experiences? It can be multiple, it can be whatever you want. I feel like you're always talking to your fans, so you must have some. Especially your smile right now makes me think you have some to talk about. This is your time. You can name names but you don't have to.

Thomas: No, but the thing is I don't know their names but I don't recommend doing it. Don't do it, actually. But I do think it's one of the best interactions that I've had. It was after my London show in October which was great, and we were all going upstairs because there's an afterparty thing. And Max's my manager, I don't know where he went, and he's like "You have to come down the stairs really quick" and I was like "Why?" And there was a bunch of security guards next to him, and I was like "Fuck, what's happened?" I go down the stairs and there's just this group of like four girls, and they were like "We were in your after-party but we just got kicked out" and I was like "Did you sneak in?" And they were like "Yeah..." Which I just thought was hilarious and I don't remember their names but we got a photo. Max went to get me to say hi because he just thought it was hilarious

Lilyemma: You've got to admire the dedication.

Thomas: That's the thing, I was like "How did you get in? That's genius." Very impressive. So, I loved it. Shoutout you lot. Don't do that, please.

Lilyemma: Everyone's going to sneak into all of your parties.

Thomas: But I also think that's hilarious if you do.

Eliz: You've just given them the green card to do that now.

Thomas: Try your best, I think that's funny.

Lilyemma: Have you had any awkward encounters?

Thomas: Yeah, definitely. But I think that it's important that in all aspects of whether you're a fan meeting an artist or ordering coffee and you're the person serving, it's usually way more awkward for one person that it is the other way around. Like, you know, you practice what you're going to say before you go to the drive-through and I'm sure a couple fans have said things that I've been like "Ooh that was weird" or I've said something and then been like "Ooh that was weird." But we're all just overthinking it, because no one knows how to interact with anyone.

Eliz: There's nothing worse, even if it's an artist or anyone else, saying something and then walking away from someone and being like "Why did I just say that?"

Thomas: 100%, I'm going to be doing that for this whole interview so don't worry guys.

Lilyemma: I think it's nice as well that you're friends with so many creatives, like Alfie who you went on tour with and Nabes who has worked on so many songs with you. How do you feel like having so many creatives and friends in the industry helps you with your own creative processes? How important is that to you?

Thomas: Oh, massively. I feel like it just keeps you going. The good thing is about a lot of my friends being artists is that we all go through the same shit. Like days that Alfie's having a shit day on Twitter, he'll text me like "I hate Twitter" and I'm like "Fuck yeah, man, I get it. That makes total sense."

Lilyemma: Yeah, first-hand experience.

Thomas: 100%, it's nice to share that experience with someone. Whether it's Twitter, whether it's touring, whether it's studio, whether it's anything. I don't know why but we just say a bond over it. Which is nice, which is deep.

Lilyemma: Yeah, we feel that because we have a creative housemate now...

Thomas: What's their name?

Lilyemma: Phoebe.

Thomas: Hi, Phoebe.

Lilyemma: She came into the house and you just feel well rounded.

Eliz: You go through the same thing and it's just nice to share that spark that you can bounce off.

Thomas: There's a spark in you, there's a chance for you, you just gotta ignite the light. And let it shine.

Eliz: This is probably the most important question in the entire interview. If anyone takes anything away from this. Do you think there is a world in which you bring the Alfie and Thomas tour to the UK. And, can the answer be yes with the announcement next week?

Thomas: I would love to. I don't know, I'd love to. It would be fun. I miss him. I need to see him. But I don't think he drinks anymore. Alfie, I miss you, let's go on tour together soon.

Lilyemma: We could bring him back on the show and do a four-person interview.

Thomas: There we go! Great, yeah. We did a two-person interview recently, I don't remember what it was for but it was great.

Lilyemma: We're running out of time so we'll have to keep this short and sweet. But, your new EP just came out, fresh out now. If people haven't had a chance to listen to it yet, what is the dream, place, scenario in which they should go and listen to it straight after this interview?

Thomas: It's summer, you're driving down Gloucester Road towards the barn, okay? You're on the farm.

Lilyemma: You've got an hour until Thomas's set and you need to listen to it all.

Thomas: Yeah, you need to listen to it all, I don't know how long it is but you can probably listen to it within an hour. There's a gentle breeze. And you're in your car, oh wait I said that.

Eliz: Double car!

Lilyemma: Windows open?

Thomas: It's a convertible and you're rich.

Lilyemma: There's no problems with the car, full engine.

Thomas: Yes, and it's electric. Because it's the future, bitch!

Eliz: I feel like you're starting to exclude people now... Because who can afford this?

Lilyemma: If you can't afford to sit in an electric car, you can't listen to Thomas's new EP.

Thomas: Ahh yes that's great. Yep, that's it.

Eliz: We have two quick fire questions for you.

Lilyemma: Favourite Love On Tour moment because you went last year and you went this year?

Thomas: Wait from my show or in general, the scenes?

Eliz: You went - what did you see? What did you do?

Thomas: What did I see?

Lilyemma: What show did you go to? The second one?

Thomas: I went to night two. What happened at my show? There was a sex reveal of a baby, that was cool. The one with the balloons and the confetti, that was cool. And the other one was when he was in Australia and he sang the "You're dressed as a banana" song but it went on for five minutes and he was pointing out everyone in the crowd.

Lilyemma: Can you add that to your set later?

Thomas: Yeah, great. Even if they're not a banana.

Eliz: Finally and you've got a second, you have no time to think about this. Karaoke song, one karaoke song?

Thomas: Uhh, ah fuck that's a terrible one. NO SORRY, not the question. No no no no. I was about to say because you said I don't have time to think I was going to say 'Livin' on a Prayer' by Bon Jovi, but that's a terrible one.

Lilyemma: Okay!

Thomas: No, that's a terrible one!

Eliz: Respect!

Thomas: Noo! It's something ABBA?

Lilyemma: No one's going to kick you out of the bar.

Eliz: 'Gimme! Gimme! Gimme!'?

Thomas: Fine, 'Gimme! Gimme! Gimme!', yeah.

Lilyemma: Well, we know a place in East London so you can come and do karaoke and you can do both 'Livin' on a Prayer' and 'Gimme! Gimme! Gimme!'. And we'll invite Alfie!

Thomas: Yeah, great. Sounds great.

Lilyemma: Thanks so much!

Thomas: Thanks, guys, lots of love. Glad we got to do it! Bye!