Surf Music: Tommy a gun at musical manoeuvres

Tommy Castles is an audacious musician. Self-booked/executed four national tours, played sold-out shows with the likes of Amy Shark and Boo Seeka and Falls Music Festival.

Just to thicken that intro up a little, Tom is a great producer and prolific session musician.

CH: How is your next album shaping up in relation to your last release?

TC: Very Different. It’s a lot rawer. Eastern elements, the possibility of orchestra scores.

CH: What’s the best thing about touring around Australia?

TC: The fact that you get paid to surf and play gigs. It’s amazing.

CH: Do you have a favourite place to play in Australia?

TC: Sydney is probably my favourite. A place called Cafe Lounge at an event called folkSwagon. The person who runs it is a beautiful lady. It’s like a classic folk club, there’s candles and everyone just sits and listens.

CH: A lot of locals know Finnigan August, given that you were his first serious guitar mentor, how do you think you guys had such a good connection?

TC: I saw a lot of myself in him to be honest. I struggled with a lot of teachers when I was his age, just with not connecting.

CH: What’s your favourite surfboard?

TC: Depends on what kind of wave.

CH: Right let’s go there. What’s your favourite surf spot?

TC: Point Impossible is my favourite spot for sure. My 9’2” hightide shaped by Jordie Brown. Oscar Lalor’s old board!