Rhumba Club, a band by musician Tom Falle, is all about “colourful, poppy and provocative” music, and was listed as number 2 on the British edition of the magazine’s best new artists list.
Speaking to Express, Tom said: “Being included on the list is quite strange because, whilst nothing has changed in terms of my life – I get up, swim, write music all day in the same way as I always have – people are clearly now paying more attention to my work.
“This is all an artist could ever want really – I hope it sticks.”
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The Victoria College alumnus has been developing Rhumba Club over the last three years.
“I always wanted to make music that was fun and danceable, but crucially, thoughtful too,” Tom said.
He initially started Rhumba Club as an “inclusivity project”, holding ‘Rhumba Club’ club nights in Hackney, London where he now lives.
The evenings were intended to integrate straight and queer crowds, but Tom says that since then, Rhumba Club has developed into a metaphor for a place of belonging.
“If you feel like an outsider, the Rhumba Club is for you.”
Pictured: Tom produces all of the songs himself, but works with a live band for performances. (Jemima Martin)
Tom has been making music in a professional capacity since 2013, initially with his first band TEDDY, alongside fellow Jerseyman Eddy Bailhache, and since 2017 with Rhumba Club.
“I write, produce and play everything on the tracks myself, but deliver parts to the live band ahead of performance.”
Speaking about his Jersey roots and time at Victoria College, Tom said: “The famous/infamous House Music competition was particularly formative for me. It engendered my love for creativity and performance.
“I still feel like I’m part of a House Music competition, just on a slightly different scale.”
You can follow Rhumba Club on Spotify and Instagram ahead of the release of his next single on 30 September.
