This is Fast Trains.
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Welcome to ourWorld.
Combining inventive alt pop with a cryptic visual space known as ‘ourWorld’, Fast Trains is the boundary-pushing solo project of Portsmouth born songwriter Tom Wells.
Since its beginnings in 2019, Fast Trains has been championed by BBC 6 Music, Amazing Radio and BBC Introducing, and has won awards for both its songwriting and visual content. Fiercely independent, Wells’ self-produced, self-released music has been widely praised for its modern take on alternative 80s bands like XTC, Squeeze and Tears For Fears.
Live, Wells shifts Fast Trains from intimate solo performances to energetic full band shows, tailoring the experience to each occasion. In 2022 they completed their first UK headline tour before hitting the road as main support for Turin Brakes.
Fast Trains are currently recording their debut album, expected for release in 2024.
This is Fast Trains. Welcome to ourWorld.
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Fast Trains launched in January 2019 with ‘Measure by Measure’, three minutes of deftly crafted pop based on a looping guitar riff and Wells' layered vocal harmonies. Released exclusively to YouTube, the track was immediately picked up by Tom Robinson on BBC 6 Music, and received a wave of glowing reviews from blogs across the world.
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Teaming up with acclaimed illustrator Sam Brandon, the animated video for 'Measure by Measure' is a striking introduction to ourWorld, the virtual world that Fast Trains inhabits.
A year in the making, the video was screened at the 2019 British Animation Film Festival at Cineworld, Leicester Square, picking up nominations for Best Music Video, Best Animated Short and Best Music.
Since then, ‘Measure by Measure’ has been screened at film festivals around the world, including Supertoon International Animation Festival in Croatia; Insomnia International Animation Film Festival in Russia; Athens Digital Arts Festival in Greece; and Animaine, The Maine Animation Festival in the USA, picking up award nominations and accolades on its journey.
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April 2019 saw the release of the Measure by Measure EP, adding two more songs and continuing the exclusive relationship between Fast Trains and YouTube. Included in this was ‘Higher than Everyone’, which received support from BBC Introducing and BBC Radio Solent.
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In October 2019, ‘Measure by Measure’ won the Music category of the RATMA Film Festival and became a semi finalist in the UK Songwriting Contest.
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At the tail end of 2019, a band was assembled to perform the music live for the first time. Beginning with a surprise Special Guests slot at Icebreaker Winter 2020, the band then played a sold out debut headline show at The Loft in Southsea.
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February 2020 saw the release of a new standalone single, ‘Sea Change’. A combination of minimalist electronica and psych guitars, the release further cemented Fast Trains’ sound and ever-intriguing visual identity.
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In May 2020, a new series of videos began on YouTube titled The Hourglass Sessions. A collection of live performances in unusual locations, each video is a race against the clock and must be completed before the hourglass runs out of sand.
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November 2020 saw the announcement of a new 4-track EP, ourWorld Volume 1.
Released on 16th April 2021, the EP saw Fast Trains join the Bandcamp community, with pre-orders of a special 9” vinyl selling out in under 2 hours.
Singles ‘The English Way’ and ‘I Work in Lies’ built on the success of previous Fast Trains releases with debut airplay on Amazing Radio, alongside support from BBC Introducing and BBC Radio Solent.
The EP campaign also received funding and support from Help Musicians via the Do It Differently Fund.
To celebrate the release of the EP, Tom Wells performed a live streamed solo performance from legendary Portsmouth venue, The Wedgewood Rooms. Titled ‘Live from an Empty Wedge’, the performance was filmed in a completely empty venue during the 2021 Coronavirus lockdown.
‘On Being Poor’ was released as a single on 4th June 2021, which also received significant airplay including support from BBC Introducing. Written, performed and recorded entirely by Wells, the track was mixed by Grammy nominated producer Ali Staton (Madonna, Seal, Turin Brakes).
Three songs from the ourWorld Volume 1 EP reached the semi finals of the 2021 UK Songwriting Contest, with ‘A Thousand Tiny Cuts’ going on to reach the finals.
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In August 2021, Wells announced the release of new single, ‘A Thousand Tiny Cuts’.
Originally part of the 2021 EP ourWorld Volume 1, this new release featured a special mix by Mikko Gordon (Thom Yorke/The Smile, Gaz Coombes, Arcade Fire) the result of the song winning a songwriting competition hosted by the Featured Artists Coalition (FAC).
The single was released exclusively to YouTube, Bandcamp and the official website.
Released on Saturday 4th September 2021, the single was aligned with Love Record Stores Day, and a limited run of 7" vinyl was also available from select record shops.
Fast Trains also performed a ‘Tour in a Day’ on 4th September, playing 3 in-stores at record shops across one day.
‘A Thousand Tiny Cuts’ reached the finals of the 2021 UK Songwriting Contest.
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2021 ended with Fast Trains undertaking a series of live dates including supporting Blue Rose Code, before taking part in Hot Vox RISING, a live stream event raising vital funds for War Child.
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Following on from success in the UK Songwriting Contest, 2022 began with Wells being nominated as a finalist in the International Songwriting Awards, representing the UK in the Solo Songwriter category.
On 1st April 2022, a new single was released, ‘Can You Take a Bullet For Me’. Released as a surprise, the single was immediately available to stream exclusively on YouTube.
In April 2022, Fast Trains completed their debut UK headline tour, an 8-date run including shows in London, Edinburgh and Manchester.
Summer 2022 saw more live dates and festivals, including supporting cult Americana songwriter Jim White and Canadian indie rock band Apollo Ghosts.
On 19th August 2022, Fast Trains released their new EP, ourWorld Volume 2.
In September 2022, Fast Trains supported Turin Brakes on their ‘Wide-Eyed Nowhere’ UK tour.
2022 ended with a surprise Christmas Day release of a new live EP, Live from The Old Chapel. Released exclusively to Bandcamp, the EP was also given away as a free download to everyone on the Fast Trains mailing list.
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In May 2023, it was announced that Fast Trains music would be coming to Spotify and all streaming platforms for the very first time.
Beginning 2nd June, the back catalogue was released one song a week until its completion in October 2023.
In December 2023, ‘That Sinking Feeling’ was announced as a finalist in the UK Songwriting Contest.
In February 2024, Fast Trains launched their free-to-join fan club, The Citizens of ourWorld. Click here to become a Citizen.
Fast Trains are currently recording their debut album, expected for release in 2024.
There will be live shows. Check live dates here.
To get in touch with Fast Trains, visit this page.
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Fast Trains is:
Tom Wells: Songs, music, vocals, guitars, keys, bass, drums
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The FT band:
Chris Peace: Guitars, backing vocals
Michael Koullas: Guitars, backing vocals
Dan Sawyers: Bass, synth
Chris Arrowsmith: Drums
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“Crafting anthemic, quirky pop, reminiscent of Field Music, it’s of no surprise that Fast Trains are rapidly picking up support, with a solid, ever-growing fanbase and airplay pouring in for these undoubtedly radio-friendly tunes.”
“Rich and beautifully produced.”
“Great muso and even greater human.”
“Really impressive the sound he produces. The dedication to his music is awesome.”
“Absolutely superb.”
“I love Fast Trains. Massive sound, his production is absolutely fantastic. I think he’s super talented, a quality musician.”
“Adventurously forward-thinking... a jaw-dropping visual delight”
“Mesmerising... lushly crafted, charming and refreshing”
“If you are a fan of classy indie-pop and don’t know Fast Trains already then prepare to enter their world.”
“Wells manages to write story laden pop, in the sort of Squeeze / Tears for Fears kind of way, with a lovely balance between melody and emotion.”
“Inventively melodic, harmonically clever, sparkling and invigorating.”
“An incredible songwriter and performer”
“An eloquent and clever lyricist.”
“If you’re wondering how to produce and release music on your own terms, take a closer look at Fast Trains.”
“Tom’s hard work, passion and dedication are a shining example of what is needed to be a self releasing artist.”