thomston
Credit: Instagram @thomston

With a slew of songs already out under his stage name Thomston, 20-year-old Auckland native Thomas Stoneman’s debut album Topograph is releasing 30th September. Written in five cities across three continents over years, the record emanates a youthful innocence, with tones of alternative pop and RnB mixed throughout. Having worked with Australian singer Wafia on the recent track Window Seat, each track of Thomston’s 13-track record connects sound to people and place, an autobiographical body relaying tales of his travels and learning experiences. He’s been compared to musicians such as Frank Ocean and SOHN and at such a young age, has already caught the eyes of music stations are the around world since the release of his two EP’s in 2015. 

1. DESCRIBE YOUR SOUND:
“I would describe it as electronic, pop and RnB. Somewhere on the border of all those genres.” 

2. ONE CHILDHOOD MEMORY:
“I remember kicking and screaming about not wanting to go to piano lessons, with my mum saying ‘you’ll thank me one day!’ which she was right about. It gave me a great base knowledge of music knowledge, which is so important for what I’m doing. Thanks mum!”

3. ONE ARTIST ON YOUR LATE NIGHT PLAYLIST:
“The cycle of songs I listen to has a pretty short turn around. But James Blake is always good. Frank Ocean too. Especially his RnB kind of stuff.” 

4. THOUGHTS ON BEING COMPARED TO FRANK OCEAN?
“I don’t know how I feel about that! It stresses me out because he is incredible.”

5. WHAT ARE YOUR THREE TOUR ESSENTIALS?
“I have this suede bomber jacket that I got in Lithuania for three euros and it’s my favourite thing because it’s so great to wear on stage. I also always need my laptop at all times. If I left my laptop at home, I’d probably die. I need it to write songs and when I’m on the road, and for staying in touch with friends through Skype. And my last thing, Lucas Pawpaw because I have really dry lips and it’s not good look.”

6. FAVOURITE ROAD SNACK?
“Kinder Bueno is always a good time. And then this isn’t a snack, but how good is Thai green curry? Thai green curry is my favourite thing of all time. I love Thai green curry so much.”

7. POST SHOW BEVERAGE?
“Just water. I’m so boring. I don’t drink. I feel like people who are coming to my show, they deserve me being all there. I just like to meet people and stay hydrated. Water is the key to success according to DJ Khaled so…”

8. YOUR FAVOURITE APPS?
“I love Snapchat with all my heart, mind and soul. They always update it to keep it interesting and exciting. I’ve also just started using that Sleep Cycle app and I really like that. Though I probably should just get a normal sleep cycle at a regular time rather than an app for it. And finally the other app is that QuizUP game. Not to brag but I was definitely number one in New Zealand for Kanye West for a while. I’m proud of that. Number 1 for Kanye West trivia.”

9. NETFLIX SHOWS YOUR WATCHING?
“Netflix only just got to New Zealand but there’s nothing I want to watch on it. New Zealand always gets everything a hundred years late. Like I’m pretty sure the Matrix just came out in the cinemas yesterday… and we just got electricity. It’s really fun. Kidding! But I’ve been watching Scandal, though I was avoiding it because I didn’t like the name.”  

Topograph releases September 30