Before the charts, the streams, and the Top 10 albums, Sam Tompkins was busking on the streets of Brighton. Now, ahead of his most personal record yet, he’s come full circle, playing an intimate homecoming show in the city where it all started, part of Jack Daniel’s & Coca-Cola’s ‘Live From’ campaign celebrating live music.

New album Are we gonna sing? named after a home video in which his late father asks the title’s question — is his first full-length written since his dad passed away in 2023, and it marks a deliberate shift: less studio polish, more live instrumentation, and a willingness to sit with grief rather than write around it. Lead single “Body to body” – a spontaneous voice-note idea turned finished song – sets the tone, paired with a video that leans on old home movies and the quiet strength of male friendship.

Ahead of the album’s release on 4th September, 1883 caught up with Sam to talk heartbreak, brotherhood, and why he’s done chasing anyone’s approval but his own.

What’s changed the most in your process since your debut album Hi, my name is insecure?

I think the main thing that’s changed is I’m no longer chasing a hit or thinking about what the general public want. I’m writing from an extremely personal place and not compromising on that anymore. Also, jamming in a band setup has opened up so much for me too. I think listening to a loop on a computer like I used to at points is good sometimes for efficiency, but trying to find efficiency in art creation doesn’t always work.

You’ve mentioned writing from your living room or from Brighton beach. What spaces would you say your new material inhabits? What inspired it?

The outdoors for sure. I’d say 60% of the songs were written outside. I think you can hear it too. “Crawling out my skin” was even recorded outside.

Talk us through the process of writing “Body to body.” From how you wrote the lyrics to composing and production — what does it look like when Sam Tompkins puts a song together?

To be honest, it kinda just came to me whilst I was noodling on my guitar at home. Melodically the song was a freestyle on a voice note. I took it to the studio next day with my friend, Jacky, and it sort of just fell out.

What are you most looking forward to showing people about this new chapter?

I think honestly I’m hoping people just feel like they really got to understand where I was in my life when I made it. The grief, the intensity of that, but also how it didn’t define this part of my life (not through a lack of trying).

The music video for “Body to body” is a wholesome men’s trip — how did that concept come about?

I think one of my main sources of enjoyment through my grieving process was watching old movies. Stand by me being a favourite. Mixing that with home videos of my old man and the familiarity and warmth of that made it special. I think naturally mixing those two things together was the inspiration.

I know you’ve talked about the openness with which you approach your friends in the past and, particularly over the last few years, it’s felt more and more important for men to have deeper connections with each other to avoid loneliness. What do your male friendships mean to you?

I think without my friends and the relationship we have with one another, I honestly don’t think I survive the heartbreak of losing my dad, or even the other rough spots I’ve been in. My friendships are sacred and there isn’t much I wouldn’t do for any one of them.

You’re a self-described introvert, how do you recharge your social battery? What’s your ideal day-for-yourself?

A great day for myself is getting my headphones on, going to the seafront and just cycling. Sitting at a pub listening to a playlist really is it. If it’s a cold day though, I love just gaming or even watching movies and stuff.

You recently performed a small one-off gig in Brighton with the ‘Live From’ campaign, it’s the city where you started your music career, what did that feel like? Performing new songs live within a community that has watched you grow?

It felt incredibly special. I still have to pinch myself that people wanted to be there at all and celebrate the Jack Daniel’s & Coca-Cola Live From night with me.

What’s the most exciting part about live performances for you?

The most exciting part about live performances is connecting with people in real time. There’s no better feeling than playing what you consider a deep cut and seeing the audience sing it word for word.

Let’s talk visuals, firstly — Hi, my name is insecure is all in lowercase, including the full tracklist. Your latest two singles are styled in all caps. How do you decide on the styling of album titles and track lists?

To be honest, this album feels more sure of itself than the last one. It was weirdly not a conscious thing, just happened.

The visuals for “Body to body” and “Beauty queen,” your last two singles, are very much rooted in physical and mixed media. What was the process in deciding that?

I think with the ongoing rise of the use of AI, I just wanted something that felt a bit more tangible, relatable and above all else, real. It feels instantly more memorable, at least to me.

Who are your biggest music inspirations? And do you have any creative inspirations aside from music? What other forms of media do you think bleed into your music?

It changes frequently. I don’t particularly know at this moment in time but throughout my life it’s been a series of great songwriters. With this album I listened to a lot of Pinegrove, Nick Drake, Bob Dylan, but also was heavily into Jim Legxacy at points. Guess it’s up to the listener to decide whether that makes sense.

What type of artist do you hope to be an inspiration to?

Any. If you’re an artist and you’re coming to me for inspiration, that is the honour of my life. The reason I decided to change sonic direction with my music is because I no longer felt moved by my own work. I want kids to listen to my music and go “I wonder how he got that sound” like I do with all my favourites. That’s my biggest dream. I hope it works out.

Sam Tompkins has partnered with Jack Daniel’s & Coca-Cola to bring fans closer to live music in 2026, as part of the brand’s ‘Live From’ campaign.

New album Are we gonna sing? is out 4 September, follow via @samtompkinsuk

Intro Tom Oakley

Interview Natalia Albin