Words by: Verity Hesketh
Emerging as the frontman for I Divide in the early 2000s, Thomas Kavanagh made a name for himself with the kind of impassioned punk rock that made stars of Amy Lee from Evanescence, and Hayley Williams from Paramore. Quite different to these sensational beginnings, Motion is Thomas’ second album since setting out as a solo artist. Now a free agent, Thomas has swapped the full-fat punky dramatics for a pasteurised, semi-skimmed rock, grit removed.
A gathering of an eclectic but talented mix of local musicians, Thomas’ band is undoubtably musically strong, with drummer Joe Napper from the local rising star group Witterquick providing a compelling framework.
Thomas’ voice is fresh and melodic, able to catch both the elevated crescendos of I’ll Wait, and the more harmonious, stripped back sound of I’m Here Now. Midway through the album, Never Coming Back is unabashedly sentimental, showing off Thomas’ capacity for compressing joy and sorrow into a short song, with effortless key changes and a familiar undemanding rise and fall.
Motion is a tasteful record – it’s got some great little earworms; exactly the sort of thing they play in the café where you get your morning latte.
‘Motion’ is out now available on iTunes and Spotify.
Instagram: @thomaskavmusic
Facebook: @thomaskavanaghmusic
Music Video: I’ll Wait (from his EP Motion)