TOM MCRAE is a British singer-songwriter. His eponymous first album was released in 2000 on DB Records/BMG. His second album 'Just Like Blood' was released in 2003 on BMG. Album three, 'ALL Maps Welcome', was released in 2005 on Sony/BMG.
What is The Hotel Café Tour? The tour is named after the L.A venue where the songwriters met, hanging out and performing in the tiny bar, sharing ideas, and helping each other get their music out into the world. Gathering together their resources the musicians took to the road, and following a successful tour of the States, Tom McRae (an LA resident and regular at the Hotel Café in 2004) brought the gang to the UK in 2005. The reaction from his fans, and a run of sold out shows, convinced Tom to try it again this year.
Who’s Playing? The show is a revue format, featuring 5 artists and Tom, plus a different “special guest” each night. Listed below, the artists take turns playing brief sets of two or three songs, with the house band joining in over the course of the show, and the evening ends with stage full of musicians singing and playing together in an informal and celebratory fashion. “ It’s like a travelling festival, but on a much more intimate scale. It’s unlike any other gig you’ll go to. The rapport between musicians is amazing, and the broad scope of music on offer has something for everyone. It’s really a party atmosphere”, says Tom – who hosts the evening as well as performing solo and with the house band. “It’s not about me touring with five support acts, as there are no real “headliners”… it’s more about me introducing my audience to a bunch of great new acts, as well as getting the chance to maybe try out some of my new songs and enjoy a slightly more relaxed and informal evening.”
Why Tom? Tom lived in L.A in 2004 while working on a record, where he frequently took time out to perform at the Hotel Café, where he quickly became friends with many of the local artists. “Cary Brothers (who’s music has featured on The ‘Garden State’ soundtrack, and many other movies and tv shows) was the first to spot the potential of us as a loose collective”, says Tom, “and he was instrumental in organising the first tour. It was such a great experience for musicians and audiences, I felt I had to try and bring some of those players to Europe”.
What’s Special About The Hotel Café? Just ask the people who have passed through it’s doors, either to sit and watch emerging talent, or even to join in – often just after they’ve finished their own show across town. Pete Townshend, KT Tunstall, Badly Drawn Boy, Damien Rice, Aqualung, and Patty Griffin are among just some of the names to have played recently at The Hotel Café. “It became an after show hang-out for musicians, as well as the place to go to see the next big thing”, says Tom. The Hotel Café has also put on shows at major film festivals, including the prestigious Sundance festival in Utah, as well as musical festivals such as South by Southwest in Texas, and CMJ in New York. The Future of Live Music:
“The more the music business shrinks and the less it has to offer musicians, the more you will see people ganging together to help each other tour and promote their music”, says Tom. “I think projects like the Hotel Café are the future, and they’re also so much fun they provide a great night out and a great way to discover new music”.