Songwriter Tomaka Shares New Single ‘Happy in the Sun’
For this single, Tomaka’s challenge was to play each instrument and mix it by all himself. Not easy for a songwriter who is far from mastering any of the instruments he had planned to record. Is this perhaps why the artist was tempted? After he had crafted a demo, Tomaka re-recorded the final version of each track. The cello was entrusted to an eager London-based professional, Sophie Shackleton. With the help of fellow singers, extra vocals were added to thicken the choruses.
The melodic line of this song is guided by a vintage Gaveau piano which has a sound somewhere between a piano and a village church bell: sonorous and resounding, leading you down a steep country lane through the woods. An unexpected piece of music whose structure is somewhat uncommon. There's no verse-chorus, but a more linear narrative that invites you into a more intimate setting, namely the childhood of our singer-storyteller, peopled with colourful characters. A deep, double low voice rises from beyond the grave. With a slightly melancholy tone, the song is poetic yet tongue-in-cheek, transporting you back in time and featuring superheroes straight out of a British comic strip: Billie Whizz, Banana Man... The narrator whispers to your ear the incredible story of finding yourself locked up inside your own superpower. But what if your superpower was in fact a curse?
These characters attempt to free themselves with a new and improved superpower underpinned by a burning desire to change: Bananaman is craving for a mango ! » and « Billy whizz is taking it slow now ». Happy in the Sun is a tune that urges you to enjoy the light and to stretch it as long as possible before the autumn season begins. It evokes the cheerful, soothing memories of long-gone sunny days.
Happy in the Sun will be released on digital platforms on September 22, 2023.
Bananaman, Propolis Records
Genre: Pop, Rock, Alternative Folk
Production: Propolis Records
Publisher: Sentric Music Publishing
Press: propolisrecords@gmail.com
Official website: tomaka.fr
BIOGRAPHY
Thomas Carra, known professionally as Tomaka, is a French singer, songwriter, producer and musician. He has released three singles. The debut indie pop single Time to Go launched the Tomaka project in 2020.
Tomaka found his drive by creating a sonic palette for his songs with deep roots in pop and electronic music. He writes and arranges his own songs blending synthesizers with acoustic instruments in his home studio in Paris. Music videos also play a major part in his artistic endeavour. They mirror both his visual identity and the mood reflected in each song.
As a self-taught guitarist, Tomaka started playing music in his teens. He listened to gospel, blues and jazz. Several collaborations with other musicians encouraged him to craft his own musical ideas.
In the summer of 2018, Tomaka settled a whole month in a remote country village. He sold his electric guitars and wrote one song per day on borrowed instruments. Back in Paris, Tomaka recorded his tracks featuring back-up musicians Yann Forleo on drums and Brice Chandler on bass. This is how Tomaka was born.
Back on My Feet was released in 2021. A number of international radios added the track to their playlist, including Belgique FM, Nikki/iHeartRadio, UK Independent Radio and Eirewave.
His debut album is in the works.
DISCOGRAPHY
SINGLES
✩ Happy in the Sun (Sept. 22, 2023)
✩ What you Meant to be (2022)
✩ Back on my Feet (2021)
✩ Time to Go (2020)
PRESS RELEASE
“Catchy enough to make you want to listen to the track over and over again (...)” - (York Calling, UK, 2021)
“Une atmosphère intense et magnétique” - (United Rock Nations, France, 2021)
ON AIR
Amazing Radio (UK)
UK Independent Radio (UK)
Hailsham FM (Brighton, UK)
Radio Eirewave (Irelande)
Nikky/iHeartRadio (Canada)
RTR FM (Perth, Australie)
Belgique FM (Bruxelles, BL)
Radio Auxois FM (France)
Radio Not your Fan (France)
Radio RKC Caribou (France)
Radio FMR Toulouse (France)
