INTERVIEW: THMS. (11/2/23) -
Today we sat down with thms., an artist behind the current group AOCMP, as well as thms' recently released EP, thingsiwanttosay - Out now as of publication of this interview, the EP has been released through us at propyl as p. 028! We're excited to bring you both this interview and thms' amazing 6-track work on CD. Below we discuss the EP and more - check it out!
There's been many misconceptions over the meaning of your name, thms. - what's its true meaning/origin?
Oh boy, i think i've been called "thems", "tums", "thin mints", "thumbs" but nah, it's just my name Thomas. :)
It's been just over a month and a half since the release of your EP, thingsiwanttosay. What are your thoughts on the project now?
I still listen to it in my free time quite often. I do really enjoy my music nowadays. I sometimes have some negative connotations around the written material of the project due to the nature of it. My music is very personal, i write as if It's my diary, and sometimes i don't want to relive those feelings I'm letting out.
How do you feel about its performance? Is it what you expected?
I'm blown away. To have 20 thousand streams in the first month is something i never thought I was personally capable of. I feel like I'm just some guy, I'm so eternally grateful.
Out of the 6 songs, which do you think is your favourite and why? if you could change one thing about the project now, what would you change?
Oh, if people knew about the journey of this ep, it's been crazy and full of ups and downs. honestly there's only one blemish i forgot to fix before distribution, but no one has ever brought it up, so ima hush haha.
both "freefall" and "and where was i?" are my favorites. I've been working on those songs for 2-3 years now, and had some events in life that finally propelled me to finish them. It honestly took a lot of pain, heartbreak, and sleepless nights this summer to complete them. But I don't say that to be cheesy, just to be real. As I said, my music is my life and my outlet. It's just (honestly scarily) public.
I'm sure you've been working on some new music since the EP - would you like to share any plans for the future? Where do you think you'll go musically?
I have some plans in the works with an artist for something super special and we're hard at work. Tying back to how personal my music is, me and my friends constantly joke that I'm in "Book 2" of my current situations, and i'd say the project in the works accurately reflects that. I won't say there's a trilogy occurring, we'll just have to wait and see where life takes me. Oh, and a solo single soon! x.
What's your number one tip for beginner musicians?
Youtube is so strong. Like, unbelievably strong. There's so much to learn and the library of content and knowledge has only grown since I started 5 years ago.
That, and dedication + practice. You don't get good at something without doing it. And personally, i've made a lot of mid. like... ALOT of mid. It was a long journey to get to the sound I have now, and even then I still feel like I have so much growth to do.
"My music is very personal, i write as if it's my diary - and sometimes I don't want to relive those feelings i'm letting out."
What song of yours was your favourite to make ever?
Something about Crimson Iris has always hit. The guitars feel just right to me, they're catchy. That "baby, but maybe i can beg for forgiveness" is one of my favorite moments of the entire EP. The 3/4 swing also feels so right in my bones. i figured out my formula and sauce when making this one. it holds a very special place in my heart
What is your favourite song/songs? There's been many great releases this year - any standout projects to you that you'd like to mention?
Oh man, i've been listening to so much new music. EDEN, Porter Robinson, Jane, Brakence, and Origami Angel are all my rotational top 5. ICYMI, Hypochondriac, and Census Designated have been favorites of mine to listen to this year. Lots of midwest emo and shoegaze as well. And i've gone back to some of my RNB roots from high school. (I think everyone's gonna be shocked by the next project)
thms. music wouldn't exist without frailty though. That album is such an inspiration.
You've built a little community for making music with the advent of AOCMP. How was it like building that community?
Oh man! I love that space so much. This one isn't the original form. The moniker actually belongs to another friend of mine, and that AOCMP died late last year. I decided to rebirth the idea he created this year and... here we are!
Did you see it taking into the shape it currently is? Where do you want to go with AOCMP?
It was originally meant to be a bit more secluded and private, but we have our own internal politics as a group and we've dealt with that. I'm not really sure what the future of AOCMP looks like though unfortunately, I think time will tell. We tend to work when we want, and take breaks when we don't. Lots of us are going through many IRL issues and those take priority.
What values are most important to you with music?
I love giant chord stacks and sound walls. I often think of my synths in songs as "synthonies" and almost visualize the soundscapes I want to build in my head! (please listen to my music in stereo <3)
I also really enjoy guitar a ton. I love rhythm more than lead guitar as well, playing beautiful elegant chords is something I strive for in every song. I suppose i do really value "pretty music".
Oh, and it's not a thms. song without a sine lead.
If you could make a song with anyone, someone you know or not, who would it be?
I really would love to work with Jon (Eden) and just see how their brain works. Their music has mesmerized me for years. It's really special to me.
"I make what I make to express my life, and help people understand they aren't alone."
Outside of music, whats your favourite pasttime?
I play tons of games, am an avid rock climber, and love to play football (soccer). I used to play esports at a pretty high level for around 3 years in Rainbow 6: Siege. But I also love to play a bunch of open world games. The current ones I'm on are Enderal, a complete game built as a mod in skyrim, Escape from Tarkov, and Stalker: GAMMA
whats your biggest dream / wish?
In terms of music, it's already came true. I make what I make to express my life, and help people understand they aren't alone and that the lives we live are honestly complex, and full of emotion. I had someone express to me that my music has helped them at points in life and that's all I could ever ask for.
But... to tag onto that: the world we live in lacks the concepts of sonder and empathy.
So I truly wish that one day people wake up and start truly caring about one another. Things feel so broken in society and we need to lift each other up and heal things together. <3
anybody or anything you'd like to shoutout?
lets get to it.
Jav for doing what he does and putting up with me. We're both stubborn as fuck LOL but i would never want it any other way.
Christian man... we wouldn't be where we are today without you. I hold so much move for you all the time.
Jack, molded and taught me so much about having confidence in myself and my voice. Crucial to have you during those years of my life.
Everyone in AOCMP. I love you guys. Thank you all for listening and taking care of me during my worst moments of my mental health. I don't want to imagine a world where I didn't have this environment around me this year. Ya'll are my rock for real.
"I had someone express to me that my music has helped them at points in their life and that's all I could ever ask for."
Big thank you to thms. for joining us in this interview today!
We're excited to also bring you thms.' EP, thingsiwanttosay, on CD today as well!
You can pick up a copy of thingsiwanttosay on CD here:
Thank you once again to thms.!
This interview was written by zoey with editing by the Propyl Team.
Please contact us @ propylrecords@gmail.com for any questions or inquiries.
