So far, Leicester was well-known as the town artists like Kasabian, John Deacon (Queen), Diesel Park West and John Illsley (Dire Straits) came from. Indie quartet Arcades had their roots in Leicester as well. Following the split of the band, former front man Tommy Cobley is now starting his own project, Tommy.

Cobley spent the last eighteen months crafting an album’s worth of songs. About this productivity, he says: “I couldn’t stop writing and when it came to recording, I knew these songs were special.”  That can certainly be said about his debut single Alive. It’s a typically British tune with a nostalgic bagginess. Richard Ashcroft was the name that first popped up when I heard the track.

Apart from the prominent acoustic guitar and walking bass line, a few things stand out: the lively percussion, trumpet licks (performed by The Twang drummer Ash Sheehan), and the gospel vocals by powerhouse Ange Lloyd. The song was produced by legendary producer Gavin Monaghan (Editors, Ocean Colour Scene, Robert Plant). Indeed, ‘team Tommy’ is pretty impressive.

A great start of Cobley’s solo career! We thought we’d lend a hand by chosing Tommy’s debut single Alive as this week’s Carte Blanche Music Wildcard.

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In the Wildcards 2022 playlist you’ll find all of this year’s Carte Blanche Music Wildcards so far.

Werner Schlosser

I’m a music industry watcher and journalist. Worked at a CD club, a record store chain and was editor in chief of an entertainment trade magazine. Have been in the radio business since 1987, producing and presenting shows. Was music director of several stations. Also, I developed the European Border Breakers Chart, Music Moves Europe Talent Chart and ESNS Chart. CEO of Werner Bros. tekst | uitleg.