Family matters. Personality Clash is our space to bring two artists together, and few come closer than siblings Laura and Tom Misch. Remarkably, they’ve never done an interview together before, but the draw of re-connecting with family while on tour proved to be irresistible for the ultra-talented siblings.
After broadly disconnecting for a time, returned earlier this year with his enchanting album ‘Full Circle’. Working with a close network of friends, peers, and guests, the record adds new layers to his sound, and kickstarts the next era in his creative life. Returning to the road in a manner he finds both physically and spiritually sustainable, Tom is taking it all in his stride.
is one of the best-connected musicians in London, a truly independent creative force whose recent album ‘Lithic’ travels to Cornwall, harnessing the sounds and enigmatic power of the area’s dramatic coastline. Toying with notions of landscape and individuality, it stands as one of her finest and most engrossing works to date.
CLASH linked the sonic kin up for a fascinating conversation that contains touring hacks and some sneak-peak future plans.
Laura Misch: How have you been handling the tour?
Tom Misch: It’s been going good. I’m learning to do it all over again!
LM: I think ear plugs are essential. You need to be able to block out noise, and find a smell that makes you feel at home.
TM: Definitely. I bought some lavender.
LM: I’ve really enjoyed playing my record live. My album is such a textural project, and it was recorded in a lot of different places. But hearing it live is really different.
TM: I loved the sound of the strings on your record.
LM: It’s been nice to see it come together, in a kind of circular way. It’s amazing to see it come to life.
TM: The crowds for my tour have been really attentive. I remember London being a difficult place to play – a hometown show, so it’s a lot of pressure. But the audiences were so supportive.
TM: I really like the song ‘Sirens’ from your record. I haven’t cried in such a long time, but listening to it really makes me emotional. I’ve cried to that song, and I saw that other people have been crying to it too.
LM: What brought those emotions out of you?
TM: It’s a really interesting mix of feelings. You can dance to it, but the whole theme of the record – speaking to your ancestors – it almost feels ancient.
LM: I remember recording that and I had to just let go of any perception of what we were singing.
TM: I can relate to that. With the new music I’m working on, I’m not putting any pressure on it. ‘Full Circle’ can feel quite heavy, and it’s different to what I’ve done previously. But this new one is quite natural. I’ve been working with Matt Maltese.
LM: There’s a really natural relationship. I feel like your songwriting has really increased in depth. And long may it live!
TM: You’re touring Poland soon? I’ve always wanted to play there.
LM: There’s a lot of really interesting art spaces you can play in Poland. If you can go off the beaten track a little then people really appreciate it. I don’t know about you but I feel very cross-border at the moment!
TM: It was good to see how this tour went. If I keep enjoying it, I’ll do more. It’s incredible, all the extremes; it’s like I lead a double life. But it’s been great, a really chill run with a few days off. It’s not sustainable to tour the way most people do. I’m doing it the way I want to do it now.
LM: It’s about finding a pattern that’s good for you. I did a tour recently where I would play the show, and then the following day I would host workshops. I’d be collaborating with local artists. It’s so nice to meet people outside the actual tour.
TM: I’d love to do that.
LM: My project is a lot smaller than yours, though. The venues I play are smaller, so it’s a different dynamic. Your tours are so much more intense.
TM: But you self-manage. You tapped into that South East London creative scene, and that’s a theme in your work.
LM: There are pros and cons to the way we do things. We can always pull back and try something different. I don’t have management but I get supported so much by my label. That’s how I can keep it all afloat, in a way.
TM: I’ve got a great manager but I’ve only ever self-released through my own label – Beyond The Groove – on AWAL. I do feel like I’ve got a team but often it’s just me and my manager.
LM: I think having people around you that you feel comfortable being vulnerable around is important. My music asks for a lot of vulnerability from the players; they need to translate fairly complex ideas in a way that will change in every space it’s played in. Equally, you need to be open, but not allow yourself to get drained. As an artist you’re doing different jobs at different times: your life is full of cycles.
TM: I completely agree. Actually making the record is only one small part of it all. But I feel so inspired when I’m doing this, and being able to play to people for two hours is just an incredible experience.
LM: I love being able to play in different spaces, like a quarry or a cave. I think architecture has such a key role in the sound. Playing in different environments is really important.
TM: Are you playing in a cave on this tour?
LM: Not this time! (laughs)
TM: Getting this record out, and doing some shows, has been really inspiring on a creative level. I’m working on something. I think it’ll be an EP but it could end up being an album. It’s a record with the band and it feels exciting. But I’m always craving time by myself; where I’m walking, maybe in the UK, maybe in Portugal. Just some time to be with myself and process what’s just happened.
LM: I think going back into the studio straight away sounds like a great way to bottle up that tour energy!
TM: We’ve been playing one of the new songs in the live show and it really goes off. What about you?
LM: I feel like I’ve been putting my heart and soul into the album, and the tour. I’m focused on that. And then, like you, I just want to take a bit of time to myself.
TM: Did you find time to celebrate the release?
LM: There are moments of celebration within the tour. That will always be there. It’s funny, with everything being online, it’s hard to find something with all the people who played on the album, and your friends and family. Doing something online is different.
TM: It’s not cathartic. I can relate to that. ‘What Kinda Music’ came out during lockdown and it was the biggest anti-climax of a release. I never really got to celebrate it.
LM: It’s a great record, though. Are you doing any more London shows?
TM: Not this year. But I’m DJing. I’m going to DJ more through my alter ego SuperShy. I’m doing some nice ones over summer. I’m planning it around a holiday. If I want to go somewhere, I’ll sort a DJ set. I’m DJing in Copenhagen. Come there! Bring mum and dad!