UK/Australian singer Thomas Headon has lived a couple of different lives. He was born in London, before growing up in regional Victoria. In 2019, he made a move back to London to chase a career in music, and released a couple of EPs along the way - 2019's The Greatest Hits and 2020's The Goodbye EP. If you're fans of artists like The 1975, Harry Styles or Rex Orange County, then chances are that you'll dig Thomas' music.

While 2021 has been a rough one for artists everywhere, he's seen some highlights. Thomas has spent parts of 2021 playing shows in both Australia and the UK, and is set to tour the US and the UK in October and November respectively. He's just released the upbeat Nobody Has To Know, and it's a joyous about a love explored in the shadows. To celebrate the track's release, we spoke to Thomas (or Disco Tony, as he's known to his fans) about his musical journey to date, as well as just how much he loves The Kid LAROI.

Firstly, I wanted to start by asking about your 2021 – how has your year been to date?

I mean after 2020 I’m pretty sure I could be hit by a bus and it’d still be a better year. But it’s not been too bad! I’ve played some shows, some festivals, seen 2 summers, am finally releasing music again and I’ve moved house! It makes me very excited for 2022 now as well. 

 

You were raised in Melbourne, before moving to London – and you’ve spent some time in both cities recently. Can you tell me how the two cities differ from each other musically?

Like most of Australia, Melbourne has this insane scene of incredible alternative bands, whereas London being a somewhat music capital of the world has mega popstars everywhere. Both are such great cities, I think my music taste and the kind of music I create has been massively influenced by Melbourne’s ‘band’ energy, and also just how creative the city is and how much it embraces arts. However, it’s good to be in London. Feels like I’m connected to the whole world here. 

 

Your single, Bored, speaks a lot about boredom (obviously) – what things do you do to try and break up the day when you are feeling like things are dragging a bit?

Lmao recently it’s just been go live. To be perfectly honest I actually really struggle with boredom, it stresses me out. I don’t like not having something to do or look forward to. I’m not really into watching movies or TV shows. I mean I play games, but I feel like I’m wasting time when doing that and that stresses me out even more lol. 

 

You began life as a busker – how do you think you’d react if you encountered a busker covering one of your songs, and has that happened already?

Hasn’t happened! That would be such a nice full-circle moment though. I don’t know if I’d talk to them. I’d probably be too nervous, and also I’ve seen videos where other artists do that. I think it’s a bit cringy lol. I did get to talk to a really nice busker when I was in Melbourne at the start of the year though! We followed each other on Instagram and she said she loved my music and wants to write more of her own music, gave my first speech like “KEEP GOING BECAUSE I STARTED IN THE EXACT SAME SPOT YOU WERE IN TODAY”. It was so wholesome. 

 

What artists did you grow up listening to and has that influenced your music today?

I didn’t really grow up with music in the house all the time and whatnot, mum just had a 2000s pop-party CD on in the car every time we went anywhere. However, before writing this third EP I kinda found myself re-visiting all the music I loved as an early teenager and a kid… that was bands like Busted, McFly, Blur. My sister was also a huge early The 1975 fan. Listening to this EP [out in March 2022], I definitely see where my influences have come from. It’s good! I feel like I’ve made something quite true to myself. 

 

What is your proudest moment in music so far?

Great question. I wish had a straight go-to answer for this. I’ve met a lot of cool people. Made a lot of very cool friends. I mean this is so tiny and such a throw-away answer for this question but to be perfectly honest I’m really happy (and proud, sure whatever) that I can do this for a job.

I spent my entire life growing up saying I wanted to do this and people saying “what’s your backup plan” or “why don’t you do it on the side”, which obviously makes sense when you’re from a small town outside of Melbourne, but it feels good that I don’t have a side job! This is really it! For now! Please stream my music! Please!

 

You’ve got a life-size Harry Styles cardboard cut-out – what’s the best bit of advice the cut-out has ever given you?

Cool Accidents, as much as I wish he could, my cardboard Harry Styles cannot talk. 

 

Who/what’s been your favourite musical discovery of 2021 and why?

I have absolutely no shame in this answer but The Kid Laroi. I don’t care who’s up and coming and who I should be plugging is gonna be the next big thing or who’s a great singer-songwriter dude the answer to what is my favourite thing I’ve discovered this year is The Kid Laroi. There’s just something I absolutely love. I don’t know what it is. Is it because he’s Australian? He reminds me of a little Justin Bieber? He doesn’t know how famous he is? I don’t know but I love him so much. 

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Finally, when you’re in Melbourne what’s the thing you miss most about London, and when you’re in London, what do you miss most about Melbourne?

Great question! There’s always so much I miss about Melbourne. I miss the local coffee shop with great food, I miss good weather (compared to London c'mon), I miss how friendly everyone is, I miss the footy, so many things. Melbourne is and will forever be my favourite city in the world.

I love London too, though. I’m in my own world here and that’s something you just don’t get in Melbourne, purely because of its size. I love that nobody really talks to each other here. I love I can walk around with headphones and not be bothered, get a bus to anywhere within 5 minutes and a tube train within 2 minutes at midnight. I love the history, how multi-cultural it is, everything.