Tom McRae

Tom McRae attributes his path into music directly to the environment of his childhood. Raised in Chelmsford by parents serving as vicars for the Church of England, he participated in the choir during those formative years. His mother’s guitar provided an early instrument that McRae would use throughout his teenage period. While his sisters gravitated toward the sounds of Kate Bush and U2, McRae pursued his own interest by purchasing albums and committing more deeply to music. Upon turning 18, he enrolled at Guild Hall University, where his studies focused on music politics, and he quickly began assembling bands while composing original material. An unexpected encounter with recording engineer Roger Bechirian, known for work with Elvis Costello, Squeeze, and Carlene Carter, established a productive collaboration. Together they refined the understated vocal style that secured McRae a recording contract with db Records under Mercury. The introspective and self-titled first album by Tom McRae arrived during the autumn of 2001, prompting reviewers to draw parallels with Nick Drake and Bob Dylan. Widespread critical acclaim accompanied a nomination for the Mercury Music Prize that year. Just Like Blood reached stores in 2003, after which McRae relocated to California the following year. There he produced his third studio album, All Maps Welcome, which saw release in 2005. King of Cards emerged two years afterward, having been tracked in England, and Alphabet of Hurricanes appeared in 2010.