Whangarei native and Melbourne resident Tom Lee-Richards releases brand new single Out of the Oddness on the eve of his upcoming Mini LP release and a New Zealand and Australian tour.

With a sparse percussive intro which builds to a chest-swelling crescendo, Out of the Oddness, produced by Pip Norman (Troye Sivan, Jarryd James), recounts the true story of Tom’s first day at primary school in a big new city, where a schoolyard accident leads to a broken arm. Alone and in foreign territory, Tom is at a total loss until his big brother comes in to save the day. Tom says, “Out of the Oddness explores that feeling of negotiating new things when you don’t feel ready or don’t want change. It explores the growth and resilience that can come from enduring change and the feeling of not belonging.”

Tom’s unique approach to crafting an intricate arrangement is indicative of his years spent earning a jazz degree at Auckland University, before crossing the ditch to experience Melbourne’s musical culture. Using self-sampled loops to place his voice front and centre, Tom’s full sound belies his solo artist status. Creating dynamic, layered indie pop with a folk lean, Tom is able to take listeners on a musical journey of unconventional means and yet strike that all-important emotive chord – tapping into those human moments that unite us all.

Out of The Oddness follows on from previous single Beside You which launched in July 2017 with support from Australia’s Triple J Unearthed. The Lachlan Dickie (Cut Copy, Miami Horror) directed video was featured as MTV Upload of the Week across MTV Australia and New Zealand. Tom’s Beside You tour extended from Australia to Europe where he performed in the UK, Germany, The Netherlands, Belgium, France and Denmark including multiple shows at the 2017 Edinburgh Fringe Festival.

Tom Lee-Richards will be releasing the Out of The Oddness Mini LP on 23^rd February and will be celebrating this with a tour through Australia, New Zealand and Europe. New Zealand tour dates and ticket details to be announced shortly.

Listen to Out of the Oddness through Spotify, Soundcloud and iTunes and pre-order the Mini-LP through Bandcamp.