INTREVIEW W/ Tom Ymani

Brussels-based independent artist Tom Ymani is turning unrequited attraction into something considerably more colourful with 'Amorium', a new double single that brings together ‘I Want You Way’ and ‘Encore Plus’ under a shared exploration of desire, longing and wanting someone who remains frustratingly out of reach.

At just 23, the Belgian artist is developing a distinctly ambitious approach to contemporary pop. Inspired by the spectacle of Madonna, Lady Gaga and Beyoncé, alongside homegrown artists including Angèle and Stromae, Tom taught himself to sing and began experimenting with production from a home studio, gradually building an artistic identity centred around liberty, identity and celebration.

We caught up with Tom Ymani to discuss the personal experiences behind 'Amorium', building his career independently, transforming longing into celebration and his ambitions to create an increasingly cinematic world around his music.

Can you tell us a bit about your background and how you got started in music?

I wanted to learn guitar, but it was too complicated. I took music classes with singing at school, and I also did theater. Then I taught myself by singing along every day in my bathroom (with artists' vocals), dancing, and doing mini-performances alone at home in my living room with a speaker. Then, in 2019, at the age of 16, I bought my first microphone, sound card, and headphones, initially to do covers in my bedroom, and then to write and record my own original songs. Not satisfied with the quality, I added the step of a professional recording studio after the rough drafts and demos, which I still record in my home studio, to ensure the highest quality songs I release commercially.

Who are your biggest musical influences and how have they shaped your sound?

My main musical influences are Lady Gaga, Ariana Grande, Madonna, Beyoncé, Dua Lipa, and, among Belgian artists, Angèle. There's also a French artist we know a little and have met several times: Bilal Hassani.

Actually, all these artists bring freedom, self-confidence, open-mindedness, and a sense of freedom to pop music, sometimes R&B, electro, classic pop, and dance. It's a style of music that encompasses many subcategories. The image associated with pop music also perfectly reflects and describes my identity.

I can be emotional over a festive background, for example, or create notes with vibes and high notes. All these artists have influenced me and are part of my musical aspirations and direction. Actually, to represent myself visually, it's like taking all the artists I mentioned earlier, putting them in a shaker (blender), and it's me (Tom Ymani) who comes out of that blender.

Was there a specific moment or experience that made you decide to pursue music seriously?

It was in 2005, when I was captivated by Madonna's song "Hung Up," that I discovered a whole new world: music, performance, stage design.

The DVD of the subsequent tour became a cult classic

that would stay with me for years to come.

"I can still picture that giant ball descending from the ceiling of the venue, landing on the stage catwalk, and exploding

in the middle of the stage (audience), Madonna emerging from it, and

the show beginning… Everything was incredible

: the stage design, the dancers, the energy.

I was mesmerized." This childlike wonder became my guiding principle: I wanted to create memorable moments of my own, where music and performance became inseparable. Later came Lady Gaga, Beyoncé, and Ariana Grande as international artists. As a child, I would recreate both music videos and concerts in the kitchen, surrounded by the staff at my parents' restaurant (they were independent restaurateurs, and my parents were the owners). But it was in 2019, when I discovered the French artist Bilal Hassani, who is male but presents himself as feminine, just like me, that I realized I could have my place. And there needed to be more LGBT and diverse artists in the music industry. He also opened my eyes to my sexual orientation, which, thanks to Angèle, a Belgian singer from my country who is LGBT, with lyrics about sexual orientation and coming out, helped me understand my own sexuality. Looking back, there were signs that I'd been this way since I was very young, but I wasn't aware of it; it was automatic, and I hadn't fully grasped it yet.

Can you walk us through your typical songwriting process?

I start by listening to an instrumental track (for example, on Beatstars) or I have one custom-produced by a beatmaker. I tell them the style I want and send them inspiration to use as a starting point for building the music production. I'm in charge of everything: the structure, the length of the sections, whether there are transitions or breaks. There's a lot of back-and-forth between us until we have the final production and the complete instrumental.

Then I think about the song's theme, I write the lyrics, and as soon as I've finished writing everything, I record a rough version of my vocals in my bedroom with my home studio, professional software, and my Mac. When, after modifying my rough version, I'm satisfied and have a version of the song I like, I go to a professional recording studio to re-record everything with a sound engineer to get high-quality sound. When everything is ready, I send it to another sound engineer for mixing and mastering. Once everything is approved and sounds good to my liking, I receive the masters, then I send them to the music distributor to make them available on legal streaming and download platforms. I protect my musical works with the copyright society. Optionally, depending on the single, I make a music video and promote it in the press, on the radio, etc.

How do you find inspiration for your music and lyrics?

It depends; often they're stories that describe my personality, or what I've already experienced. Or they're stories I invent and wish would happen to me.

From a situation also, differences, autistic disorders, etc...

What themes or messages do you hope listeners take away from your music?

Whether it's messages and themes of freedom, self-confidence, problems we want to share, or the desire to celebrate; expressing emotions, recounting a situation and how to fix it; but above all, being who we want to be, without being judged

What challenges have you faced as an emerging artist in the music industry?

I get rejected for airplay on some radio stations (not all), when I send my music or demos to record labels who don't respond. Or when I participate in talent showcases and am unfortunately not selected because it's not the right time, but they offer me another chance later.

What has been the most rewarding aspect of your musical journey so far?

Being featured in playlists on various platforms, receiving positive feedback, and getting views on my videos on social media are all very rewarding. And as I mentioned earlier, Bilal Hassani and his mum’s manager asked me to send them my music to listen to; their support is incredibly heartwarming.

How do you stay true to yourself and your artistry in a constantly evolving industry?

By keeping the same vision I had when I was little and developing the world I imagine for my music, trying my best to bring it to life. To follow one's instinct. Just being the person I want to be, regardless of criticism, because I'm not hurting anyone.

What can fans expect from you in the near future? Any upcoming projects or tours?

More singles and music videos are coming soon. An EP or album is potentially a possibility. I'd love to perform at festivals, open for my idols, collaborate on original songs, and do concerts, but these are just dreams. For now, all I can confirm is that more singles and music videos are on the way.

Where do you see yourself and your music career in the next five years?

I still want to make music and visuals, I'd love to perform live, to develop nationally and internationally, but ultimately, I just want to make a living from music.

Listen to Tom Ymani's new double single 'Amorium' below.