tom walker
Duchess Kate is “a lovely person”
Duchess Kate accompanied Tom Walker on the piano at a TV Christmas service in 2021.
© Featureflash Photo Agency/Shutterstock.com / Frederic Legrand – COMEO/Shutterstock.com
Duchess Kate accompanied Tom Walker on the piano during a TV appearance last year. “She’s a great musician,” he enthuses.
Tom Walker (30) is back with new music: his new song “Serotonin” is out on Friday including music video published. The Scottish singer-songwriter has released the first foretaste of his second album. In an interview with the news agency spot on news, he talks about the new song and reveals details about his planned wedding.
He also talks about his appearance with Duchess Kate (40): The two were together last Christmas in a TV service seen in Westminster Abbey. Kate accompanied Tom Walker on the piano on his song “For Those Who Can’t Be Here.” “She’s a great musician,” he enthuses about the Duchess. The 40-year-old is “a lovely, kind-hearted person, I immediately felt at home with her.”
“Serotonin” is a song in which many declarations of love are hidden. Is the song dedicated to someone special, maybe your partner Annie?
Tom Walker: This song is for everyone who got me through a little low. I have so many good people in my life, my family, my friends, my partner Annie. At one point or another, all of the above have pulled me out of the dark when I was going through a rough patch.
The point is that without rain there is no sun – no highs – no lows. When in your life did you become particularly aware of this?
Walker: I think the music business can be a total roller coaster ride with ups and downs. In one minute you’re at the top, accepting the Brit Awards. The next one has you doubting everything you’ve done along the way and wondering if it’s good enough. I’ve learned a lot about myself over the last few years and my new album really reflects the things that are important to me. For me, a little serotonin boost from my loved ones is what keeps me going.
Serotonin is also known as the happiness hormone. Who or what releases serotonin in you?
Walker: My partner Annie has the amazing ability to make me smile. No matter what’s going on around us, she always finds a way to transport me to the here and now. Your happiness is contagious.
In 2019 you stated in an interview that your marriage to Annie would take place in the next two years. Have your plans changed due to the pandemic? Is there anything concrete?
Walker: We’re getting married in 2023, everything is finally booked and settled, we just have to sort through the invitations. I’m really looking forward to the wedding. Annie and I have been together for a very long time and on the day of the wedding we will be celebrating our tenth anniversary. I can’t think of a better way to celebrate this.
You were given a great honor at Christmas: Duchess Kate accompanied you on the piano with your song “For Those Who Can’t Be Here”. How would you rate your musical talent?
Walker: She’s a great musician. It’s not easy to jump into someone else’s band and play their song convincingly. She rose to the occasion and did a great job.
Is it true that Duchess Kate herself had the idea of sitting at the piano for the TV service?
Walker: Yes, the Duchess asked us if she could play the song on the piano. I think the song really spoke to her and she really wanted it to be part of the service.
Did you enjoy making music with her?
Walker: It was an honor to play alongside the Duchess. It’s not every day you jam with a member of the royal family. It was really scary for me at first, but I quickly got used to it. The Duchess is a lovely, kind-hearted person, I immediately felt at home with her.
In an interview with us in 2018, you explained that you had no idea about the royals. Has that changed now?
Walker: I definitely have a better understanding, everything seems very positive to me. The Duchess spends a great deal of her time speaking at charity events, raising awareness and helping raise funds for charities in all kinds of areas across the UK. I don’t think many people really understand how much they (the royals, ed.) do for charities.
“Serotonin” is the first foretaste of your second album. Can you already reveal something about it?
Walker: The album artwork is a real life sculpture, it’s some of the coolest artwork I’ve ever seen. It follows the same principle as the last album cover, all those little things come together to make a bigger picture, but it’s really evolved along the way. I’m super excited for people to see it.