After taking a couple of years away from music, award-winning Australian singer-songwriter Tom Neilson has made his return with his debut solo EP, This Love I Know. Now living in beautiful Kabi Kabi country on the Sunshine Coast, the former frontman of Standby Empire has undergone something of a transformation.
After taking out the Queensland Music Award for Best Electronic Song with his debut single in 2016 and going on to perform alongside the likes of Tash Sultana, Amy Shark, and Bobby Alu, the lockdowns of 2020 offered an opportunity for pause. It was then that Neilson began to pull together five songs that would represent the start of a new chapter. A chapter all about getting back to his roots as a singer, songwriter and storyteller.
This Love I Know, represents an exploration of how love shapes and defines our lives. Each song tells a story and is inspired by Neilson’s journey through loss, grief, hope, and joy. Expertly produced by Josh Beattie and mastered by Paul Blakey, this EP offers a compelling and heartfelt journey that you can’t help but sing along to.
Drawing inspiration from Tom Odell, Regina Spektor, Mumford & Sons and Simon & Garfunkel, the EP weaves together songs born of folk, pop, alternative and even classical music. This collection of songs and the raw and real emotions that underpin them showcase just how much Neilson has developed as a songwriter.
On the release, Tom Neilson shares, “In this EP, I aimed to share the stories of the love I’ve experienced and how it has shaped my life. Love is what gives life meaning; it connects us, tears us apart, and ultimately makes us whole. It’s what truly matters in the end. I wanted to convey that narrative and create something that resonates with people and brings them joy.”
With, This Love I Know, Neilson leaves a lasting impression on everyone who hears it. Beautiful melodies and moving lyrics entice listeners to journey with him on a heartfelt investigation of love, sorrow, and the human experience.