Eat your beans on toast, write a great song, devour some telly.
Stockport-born Blossoms make it sound so simple – and so heartfelt – they make you forget how hard it is to create musical melodramas that speak to people in a voice they can trust. Their intentions are every bit as honest and inspired as any of the great Northern bands who have paved their way. Here we speak to their lead-vocalist, Tom Ogden.
What has been your biggest life challenge – what did you do to overcome it?
The first thing that comes to mind is learning to not care what people think or say about you. With success you get praise but there’s also a lot of people with an opinion on you who don’t know you. Over time I’ve learnt to not care what people say about you.
What would constitute a ‘perfect’ day for you?
I’d wake up at home, have a cup of tea and beans on toast, write a great song, watch telly with my family for a bit then go for drinks with my close friends in the evening, preferably somewhere that plays my music taste.
For what in your life do you feel most grateful?
Having a close-knit family.
Complete this sentence: “Ace mental health for me means…”
What do you eat to stay healthy?
I’ve never really watched what I eat. My mum tells me to have vitamin tablets when we’re on tour haha.
If you could wake up tomorrow with a new ability to aid your health what would it be?
I’m asthmatic, so I’d get rid of that.Do you have a daily routine of exercise or do you make it up as you go along?I tend to do a fair bit of walking and I’ve recently bought a new bike.
Here at The Mind Map, we remember playing football and ‘tag’ – running around the playground every day and loving it – can you share a similar memory?
Yeah, I did both of them, especially football. Growing up that was my sole obsession until I was about 13/14 then I really got into music.
Do you think the egg and spoon race should be an Olympic sport as well as running for a bus?
I don’t see why not, we all do it at some point in our life.
Who was your best friend at school? What was the funniest thing they did?
My best mate at school was a lad called Jordan, his nickname’s Budgie. He’s genuinely one of the funniest people I know.
Pumps or trainers for PE?
Trainers
Top five vegetables?
Broccoli, carrots, potatoes, peas, and spinach.
Fruits?
Tangerines, bananas, grapes, apples and strawberries.
What three songs lift your spirits?
Oasis – She’s Electric, Luther Vandross – Never Too Much, Human League – Don’t You Want Me
What advice do you offer to friends when they are feeling overwhelmed?
That eventually, everything will be alright.