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LUKE THOMPSON It is a rare debut album by a New Zealand singer-songwriter which arrives as fully formed and mature as that by 24-year old Luke Thompson, whose Here on the Ground announces the arrival of a major Kiwi talent. Over the course of a dozen original songs the Tauranga-based Thompson touches the heart in songs of gentle sensitivity (‘Interlude’), pricks the conscience with tart lyrics about personal and social responsibility (‘Look the Other Way’, ‘Here on the Ground’) and offers up revealing lyrics about his origins (‘Mums and Dads’). His songs are radio-friendly (the top 20 single last year ‘Perfect Drive’, the hook-filled ‘Say You’ll Stay’, the new single ‘Bleed’) and intimately personal (the hypnotic ‘Satellites’ which comes with gentle strings, the ballad ‘Seventeen Again’). In ‘Mums and Dads’ (“Mums and dads with tender lads hold concerts on the lawn”) he hints at his musical origins and although not from a musical family he admits he was always into singing and performing. “When I was about seven I’d get people all lined up on the lawn and get all the chairs ready. I’d have my brothers and sisters and parents and neighbours, and try to keep them there as long as I could. I only knew about two songs at that time.” When his older sister was given a guitar and showed little interest the pre-teen Thomson snapped it up, learned two chords from his father “and I was away”. As his musical tastes broadened he began to write his own songs, encouraged by classic singer-songwriters from previous generations: “I was maybe 19 or 20 before I heard the music that I really base my music on. That was more the folky thing. “The first one I got into was Don McLean then James Taylor and Bob Dylan. The first song that got me, probably when I was in the 7th form, was ‘Vincent’ by Don McLean. I don’t know what it was about it. Just how effective he was being with only his voice and guitar and some ideas. That attracted me to the singer-songwriter solo thing, where you would just come up with an idea and you would do the whole thing – a concert, a show or a recording – with just your fingers and your voice. “I loved that idea. Most teenage kids try to start bands and the idea is to find some guys and make music. It’s just the most obvious choice, but it’s a lot harder to do it by yourself because there is no one to bounce ideas off.” Thompson did however spend time in high school bands and it was through one of them appearing at a Smokefreerockquest that he got his break. As the singer-guitarist he was singled out for a scholarship which allowed him a year’s study at a music school of his choice (he went to Wintec in Hamilton) and to his surprise stayed for the full three year course, supporting himself by playing in an acoustic duo around pubs and clubs. He furthered his song writing and asked acclaimed producer Nic Manders (Brooke Fraser) if he would produce a single for him as part of a class assignment, sent that to NZ on Air and a grant to record another followed. Thompson was on his way and with Manders he began work on what would become Here on the Ground in the middle of 2007. By then his two singles ‘Morning Light’ and ‘Perfect Drive’ – both on the album – had done well at radio. Here on the Ground is the sound of a young and new artist, yet also someone who has years of writing and performing behind him. Driven by a small band, the musically diverse album proves Thompson has something to say and his lyrics stand firmly within that long lineage of his influences. “Yes, it is quite diverse, and I like that – like Don McLean albums. They are so obviously him and his guitar, but you don’t really find two of the same song anywhere. “When I had good success with one song I thought I could write another like it, but it never works out that way. You can’t copycat an idea. “An album was something I’d wanted to make since I was about 10, so it’s like Here on the Ground is my life’s work … so far.”
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