Steppin up, steppin in. Tom Esselle, one half of the minds behind the South London
label and former Peckham record store, Yam Records, joins the WOLF Music fam for
his first full length EP. And you best believe it doesn’t disappoint. Following VA appearances on Rhythm Section and his own imprint, he goes all out for this first solo EP outing. Shuffling bumpers, SE LDN jazz-flecked deepness, tough drum workouts and broken beat heaters, all mixed down by Chaos In The CBD main man Beans, this really does have a cut for every occasion and shows an accomplished head
rests on Esselle’s shoulders. Someone who’s been part of the scene for years, slingin’
records and throwing parties, he knows what makes people tick and even better what
makes people move. This is premium grade dancefloor tackle, tinged by a whole host of different influences and genres, strung together with that distinctive South London feel.

RELEASED: 16TH SEPT 2022 – Listen and Buy via Phonica…

Please can you take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers..

Hi! I’m Tom Esselle, DJ/producer and YAM Records co-conspirator.

Tell us where you are based and where you are from?

I was born in south east London but grew up just outside London. I’ve been based back in SE LDN for the last 12 years or so.

There is clearly a sound that is Tom Esselle. How would you best define that sound?

Thanks! I feel like my ‘sound’ is constantly developing but I guess the recurring themes are nice chords, bumpy drums and imposter syndrome?

Who are the artists that have inspired you from the past?

Too many to list them all but honourable mentions go to MAW, Grant Nelson, Kaidi Tatham, Patrice Rushen and Steely Dan.

Who is making great music today that you are impressed by?

K-Lone keeps me guessing with every release. Shy One is killing it right now. Joe is my all-time hero for quality over quantity.

If you had a pick a genre to ‘listen’ over everything else, what would it be?

House Is Life

If someone wanted to get to know your taste, what album should they listen to?

A really tough question and I’m not sure there’s a definitive answer, although it’s probably Derek & Clive (Live).

Where do you think the South London sound began and who do you think was the originator of this sound?

I think it started in a number of places all around the same time – Rhythm Section, 22a, Steez are all notable players – but there were countless people and parties laying the foundations way before the ‘South London sound’ was a thing.

Why did you chose to work with Wolf to host your new release? How did the relationship begin?

I’d met Stu a few times over the years and always loved WOLF’s output, so it seemed like the perfect home for my music. We exchanged a few emails, and 18 months later here we are!

Your new Ep is for lovers of ….

Small clubs with low ceilings, minor 9th chords, hot buttered toast.

Where should we listen to this EP and what should we be drinking?

With your friends drinking an old fashioned.

What you got coming up in 2022?

Working on a couple of EPs and building the studio in my new flat. Keep an eye out for new music next year!

RELEASED: 16TH SEPT 2022 – Listen and Buy via Phonica…