Finnish singer-songwriter Tomi Saario today unveils his debut single ‘Just A Little’, out now via Four Music (Sony Music). It’s an intriguing debut that introduces Tomi as both a compelling storyteller and an artist with an innate knack for writing pop hooks.
‘Just A Little’ is a confessional pop gem that burrows into your mind and heart, its delicate melodies and jittery, finger-picked guitar mirroring the butterfly-filled rush of new love: the subject of Tomi’s endearingly honest lyrics. “Writing from the whole spectrum or circle of life within love is too wide,” says Tomi. “I need to draw inspiration from a certain moment like laying in bed on a Sunday and having someone just scribble something on your back with their finger.”
With a family full of fighter, stunt and airline pilots, plus an uncle who’s the most successful songwriter in Finland, Tomi was never going to be an ordinary guy. Having fallen in love with blues music aged seven listening to Stevie Ray Vaughn, it wasn’t until he was 17 that he wrote his first song, citing John Mayer and D’Angelo as major influences. Before then a career in football looked more likely, having represented his country at youth level, playing against the likes of Real Madrid. “But then I had the realisation that I was better at music and when I finally started writing songs it was a no brainer” he explains.
Before he could fully commit to music, however, he had to complete military service, which is mandatory in Finland. After a year in the urban warfare squad, an experience he describes as rewarding and life-enriching, he moved to one of the music capitals of the world: London. Gigging relentlessly, he played over 1,000 shows in four years, turning up at any open mic night that would have him in order to hone his performance skills.
The latest exciting Scandinavian export set to take the world by storm, 2020 sees Tomi primed to share his songs with the world. With plenty more earworms ready for release and a show booked at East of Eden at The Slaughtered Lamb, London on 13th February, this is just the beginning of an exhilarating adventure for this talented young man.
