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ourWorld Volume 2
EP by Fast Trains, initially released on 19th August 2022 to YouTube and Bandcamp, and now available on all streaming services from 25th August 2023.
As featured on BBC Radio 6 Music, BBC Introducing, Amazing Radio, Fresh on the Net’s ‘Fresh Faves’ and ‘Eclectic Picks’, and BBC Radio Solent.
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1. Can You Take a Bullet For Me
2. We Don’t Belong
3. Haha, I Love You
4. That Sinking Feeling
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All tracks written, engineered and produced by Tom Wells
Recorded at Mayfield Studios, Portsmouth and in a small flat in Havant
Mixed and mastered by Mikko Gordon
Artwork by Sam Brandon
Photography by James Sharp
Musicians:
Tom Wells: Vocals, guitars, keys, percussion
Chris Peace: Guitars
Michael Koullas: Guitars
Dan Sawyers: Bass
Jack Mitchell: Drums
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~ UK Songwriting Contest 2023 ~
‘That Sinking Feeling’: Finalist
‘We Don’t Belong’: Semi finalist
‘Haha, I Love You’: Semi finalist
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Can You Take a Bullet For Me
Mr. Postman, can you take a bullet for me?
Can you take a bullet for me?So I’ve taken my aim and there it goes
A message to the one that I most care about
And although it’s armed with truth in droves
My confidence takes a hit from nagging doubtMr. Postman, can you take a bullet for me?
Can you take a bullet for me?We Don’t Belong
We don’t belong on this long vacation
A costly escape to a prime location
No noise to ignore
Just fields to explore
No we don’t belongWe don’t belong at these celebrations
We don’t know the rules of such fine occasions
Pampered and spoiled
The staff how they toiled
No we don’t belongAin’t it funny how we both reacted
Flying first class left us so distracted
Only right
We live a little life
The bed’s too big I fear I won’t get near you
The kettle switched for a machine we won’t use
Only right
We live a little lifeWe don’t belong in this empty mansion
Why didn’t we go for just a small expansion
In acres of ground
We finally found
That we don’t belongAin’t it funny how we both reacted
Flying first class left us so distracted
Only right
We live a little life
The bed’s too big I fear I won’t get near you
The kettle switched for a machine we won’t use
Only right
We live a little lifeHaha, I Love You
You sowed the seeds of doubt
In those four small words
And all we’ve built up to now
I just hold up to the light to observeYou say “haha, I love you”
And I just don’t know if you mean it
You say “haha, I love you”As stubborn as a toothpaste stain
I just can’t get these words out of my brain
And now I’m lying here
Swimming in circles doing laps of the bed as all this doubt remainsYou say “haha, I love you”
And I just don’t know if you mean it
You say “haha, I love you”
You say “haha, I love you”
And I just don’t know if you mean it
You say “haha, I love you”You said that it was only a joke
Just a turn of phrase
No needing to go speeding to conclusions again
Yeah it was only a joke
Just a turn of phrase
No needing to go speeding to conclusions again
Yeah it was only a joke
Just a turn of phrase
No needing to go speeding to conclusions again
Yeah it was only a joke
Just a turn of phrase
No needing to go speeding to conclusions againYou say “haha, I love you”
And I just don’t know if you mean it
You say “haha, I love you”
You say “haha, I love you”
And I just don’t know if you mean it
You say “haha, I love you”(Haha, I love you)
That Sinking Feeling
Awake at the calling
Receives early warning
He's coming back
From sleepy and yawning
Half upright and crawling
Her bags are packedSo she closes the door
Her ear to the floorYou can't stand to see him
And face the facts
You've got that sinking feeling
Of being trappedLike dominoes falling
Your lies they come sprawling
Across your back
You just keep ignoring
Your life's become boring
A silent actThe damage is done
This used to be funYou can't stand to see him
And face the facts
You've got that sinking feeling
Of being trapped
So you run away and keep the truth at bay
But girl it's sad to see you waste another dayNow it's time to go home
So you pull up in the car outside
But you see him standing in the drive
And your head it starts to moan...
A Thousand Tiny Cuts (Mikko Gordon Single Mix)
Single by Fast Trains, initially released 4th September 2021 to YouTube and Bandcamp, and now available on all streaming services from 28th July 2023.
As featured on BBC Introducing and BBC Radio Solent.
Originally part of the ourWorld Volume 1 EP, this single features a special new mix of ‘A Thousand Tiny Cuts’ created by Mikko Gordon.
Released in tandem with #LoveRecordStores 2021, the single was also released as a limited edition 7” clear vinyl.
The vinyl-only B side is an exclusive solo live version of the song, recorded at The Wedgewood Rooms, Portsmouth.
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A. A Thousand Tiny Cuts (Mikko Gordon Single Mix)
B. A Thousand Tiny Cuts (Live at The Wedgewood Rooms) (Vinyl Edition Only)
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All tracks written and produced by Tom Wells
Track 1 recorded in a small flat in Havant
Track 1 mixed and mastered by Mikko Gordon
Track 2 recorded live at The Wedgewood Rooms, Portsmouth by Ben Heath
Track 2 mixed and mastered by Tom Wells
Artwork by Sam Brandon and Tom Wells
Photography by James Sharp
Musicians:
Tom Wells: Vocals, guitars, keys, bass, drums
Michael Koullas: Guitars
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~ UK Songwriting Contest 2021 ~
‘A Thousand Tiny Cuts’: Finalist
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A Thousand Tiny Cuts
You ran with scissors, you say?
Blamed Stanley Knives
Oh how it’s never your fault
Deflect and disguiseBut I know what you’re playing
Have known for a while
Cutting groves into your skin
To sharpen your smileA thousand tiny cuts
Would never be enough
To break the bond of usSo roll your sleeves down again
Let’s cover the scars
This is nobody’s news
No business but oursWhen you’re ready to talk
And answer the whys
Then believe me I’m all ears
No judge would chastiseA thousand tiny cuts
Would never be enough
To break the bond of usCos we’re all a bit broken
Scratched from former lives
Hiding razors from ones we love
Oh but nothing could damage
The bond that keeps us tied
So let’s set aside your marks and disarm the liesA thousand tiny cuts
Would never be enough
To break the bond of us
ourWorld Volume 1
EP from Fast Trains, initially released 16th April 2021 to YouTube and Bandcamp, and now available on all streaming services from 21st July 2023.
As featured on BBC Introducing, Amazing Radio and BBC Radio Solent.
EP campaign supported by Help Musicians through the Do It Differently Fund.
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1. On Being Poor
2. I Work in Lies
3. The English Way
4. A Thousand Tiny Cuts
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All songs written, engineered and produced by Tom Wells
Recorded in a small flat in Havant and at Mayfield Studios, Portsmouth
Additional vocal engineering by Gregg Powell
Mixed and mastered by Kev Smith at The Foundry
Except track 1 mixed by Ali Staton, track 2 mixed by Tom Wells
Artwork by Sam Brandon
Photography by James Sharp
Musicians:
Tom Wells: Drums, bass, guitars, keys, vocals
Sam Cutbush: Harmonica (track 2)
Andrew Foster: Backing vocals (track 3)
Nathan Hill: Drums (track 3)
Michael Koullas: Guitars (track 3 and 4)
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~ UK Songwriting Contest 2021 ~
‘A Thousand Tiny Cuts’: Finalist
‘On Being Poor’: Semi finalist
‘I Work in Lies’: Semi finalist
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On Being Poor
Seas surrounding
I just can’t sleep
With this wolf hounding my door
Fees are mounding
So pay me please
Bring me order to my shore‘Cos when I’m faced with poison
I just take it down with joy and ask for moreSo please pay
‘Cos I can’t keep temptation from my door
And these days
I could write the book on being poorOh I long for not a fortune
Not a jewel nor trips abroad
Just enough to keep the landlord in tune
And the taxman keeping scoreOh but when I’m faced with poison
You know I’ll take it down with joy and ask for moreSo please pay
‘Cos I can’t keep temptation from my door
And these days
I could write the book on being poorI Work in Lies
I work in lies
Write the news to sell the papers
Spread our editor's agendas
I work in liesI work in lies
Manufacturing the scandals
We're the literary vandals
I work in liesWe'll hack your phone now, baby
We'll tell you lies
Track down your car and then we'll cut your tires
We'll hack your phone now, baby
We won't think twice
Tell us your secrets or we'll print your lifeI work in lies
Holding sway in the election
Cast your vote in our direction
I work in liesI work in lies
Chase celebrity affairs
But protect the millionaires
I work in liesNever wanted to be a writer
I'm in too deep and if I run, I run, I run, I run...
They'd hunt me down like a fighter
I know too much, I'd see the gun, the gun, the gun...We'll hack your phone now, baby
We'll tell you lies
Track down your car and then we'll cut your tires
We'll hack your phone now, baby
We won't think twice
Tell us your secrets or we'll print your lifeThe English Way
I came to England
I came to study in this hallowed place
But I discovered
A hidden darkness running through the graceAll the men they won't talk
Let the world give chase
They just suffer inside
Scared of losing faceI found the English way
Shrug it off, brush it overGotta be a man now
Stiff upper lip is what their fathers say
All these emotions
Pushed down inside for another dayA silent killer roams the streets
Picking off easy prey
You've got to learn how to speak
These troubles won't go awayI found the English way
Shrug it off, brush it overYour friends and family want to help you, boy
We're all here when you want to talkI found the English way
Shrug it off, brush it overA Thousand Tiny Cuts
You ran with scissors, you say?
Blamed Stanley Knives
Oh how it’s never your fault
Deflect and disguiseBut I know what you’re playing
Have known for a while
Cutting groves into your skin
To sharpen your smileA thousand tiny cuts
Would never be enough
To break the bond of usSo roll your sleeves down again
Let’s cover the scars
This is nobody’s news
No business but oursWhen you’re ready to talk
And answer the whys
Then believe me I’m all ears
No judge would chastiseA thousand tiny cuts
Would never be enough
To break the bond of usCos we’re all a bit broken
Scratched from former lives
Hiding razors from ones we love
Oh but nothing could damage
The bond that keeps us tied
So let’s set aside your marks and disarm the liesA thousand tiny cuts
Would never be enough
To break the bond of us
Sea Change
Single from Fast Trains, initially released to YouTube in February 2020, and now available on all streaming services from 23rd June 2023.
As featured on the Save Our Scene compilation by Brutalist Records (BR005).
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Written, engineered, produced and mixed by Tom Wells
Recorded in a small flat in Havant and at Mayfield Studios, Portsmouth
Artwork and animation by Sam Brandon
Mastering by Kev Smith at The Foundry
Musicians:
Tom Wells: Drums, bass, guitars, keys, vocals
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Sea Change
I stand up when you wanted to take me down
I stand up when you wanted to take me down
So you run, you run, you run, you run, you run
Seek the higher ground
As waves crash aroundNow you’re running from the sea change
I set sail, cross the oceans against the tide
(Doesn’t matter what the haters say)
Stand tall when you’d rather that I’d capsized
(Change is coming and your judgement day)
So you run, you run, you run, you run, you run
Hide behind the lies
As sea levels riseNow you’re running from the sea change
Tell me how much longer are you gonna stand
And watch our cities drown
Well I’ll storm the towers
Shipwreck the powers
Take to the streets while I still canNow you’re running from the sea change
Measure by Measure EP
The debut EP from Fast Trains, initially released to YouTube in April 2019, and now available on all streaming services from 16th June 2023.
As featured on BBC 6 Music, BBC Introducing and BBC Radio Solent.
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1. Measure by Measure
2. Higher than Everyone
3. This Wondrous Foe
4. Measure by Measure (Live Acoustic) (Bonus track on CD version)
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All songs written, engineered and produced by Tom Wells
Recorded in a small flat in Havant and at Mayfield Studios, Portsmouth
Additional vocal engineering by Gregg Powell
Mixing and mastering by Kev Smith at The Foundry
Video by Sam Brandon
Artwork by Tom Wells
Musicians:
Tom Wells: Drums, bass, guitars, keys, vocals
Michael Koullas: Guitars (track 1)
Nathan Hill: Percussion (track 1)
Chris Peace: Guitars (track 2)
Jaya: Backing vocals (track 2)
Dan Sawyers: Guitars (track 3
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‘Measure by Measure’ film festivals and awards:
~ 2019 ~
British Animation Film Festival (BAFF), United Kingdom: Official selection, Nominated for Best Music Video, Best Animated Short and Best Music
RATMA International Film Festival, United Kingdom: Official selection, Winner of the Music category
Supertoon International Animation Festival, Croatia: Official selection, Nominated for Best Animated Music Video
Animaine, The Maine Animation Festival, USA: Official selection
Balkanima European Animated Film Festival, Serbia: Official selection
Insomnia International Animation Film Festival, Russia: Official selection
UK Songwriting Contest: Semi finalist
~ 2020 ~
Athens Digital Arts Festival, Greece: Official selection
Kre8tif!, Malaysia: Shortlisted for SEA Kre8tif! Award
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Measure by Measure
Six of one, half a dozen of the other
It adds up to the same
A late call from your sister or your brother
Just treat it fun like a gameStep-by-step let it climb to your heart
With all manner of speed
Take a breath, don't return to the start
These doubts are traitors you seeIt's all measure by measure
Work hard and stay patient with your lover
And never moan if you're free
Remain calm for the best of one another
Don't leap this balancing beamWhen you're met with the green grass of your neighbour
And your jealousy screams
Never fret, find the things in life to savour
A gradual stitch of the seamsIt's all measure by measure
Some rise by sin, and some by virtue fall
It's all measure by measure
Higher than Everyone
Daring to dream, we're climbing out from underground
'Cross rivers and streams, we're following this path we've found
As we go on out of reach, of the people that bring us down
Yeah we go on out of reach, heading for higher groundHigher than everyone
Picking up speed, no looking back, no slowing down
What might've been, won't matter where we're headed now
As we go on out of reach, of the ties that keep us bound
Yeah we go on out of reach, we'll fly over every townHigher than everyone
This Wondrous Foe
Stuck in a rut with feet like lead
Needing a break, needing the rest
When everyone else tries to impress
You can't even make it out of bedYou've got to reap what you sow
Keep your eyes on the roadShould you fall
Down
Deep in the water
Or just crawl
Round
Like you feel two feet shorter
I will come to your arms, lift you safe from the harm
'Til this storm is over
If you're too tired to run then we'll fight off this wondrous foeStill wide awake he's in your head
The devil he details all this mess
Tied to the mattress feel the stress
Of all past decisions you regretYou've got to reap what you sow
Keep your eyes on the roadShould you fall
Down
Deep in the water
Or just crawl
Round
Like you feel two feet shorter
I will come to your arms, lift you safe from the harm
'Til this storm is over
If you're too tired to run then we'll fight off this wondrous foe
Live from The Old Chapel
Live EP by Fast Trains, initially released on 25th December 2022 to Bandcamp, and now available on all streaming services from 29th September 2023.
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1. Can You Take a Bullet For Me (Live from The Old Chapel)
2. The English Way (Live from The Old Chapel)
3. Sea Change (Live from The Old Chapel)
4. Measure by Measure (Live from The Old Chapel)
5. On Being Poor (Live from The Old Chapel)
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All tracks written, produced, mixed and mastered by Tom Wells
Recorded live at The Old Chapel Studios, Chichester
Engineered by David Evans
Assistant engineering by Iori Howells
Videography by James Sharp
Photography by Tammy Martin
Musicians:
Tom Wells: Lead vocals, guitar
Chris Peace: Guitar, backing vocals
Michael Koullas: Guitar, backing vocals
Dan Sawyers: Bass guitar, synth
Jack Mitchell: Drums
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Can You Take a Bullet For Me
Mr. Postman, can you take a bullet for me?
Can you take a bullet for me?So I’ve taken my aim and there it goes
A message to the one that I most care about
And although it’s armed with truth in droves
My confidence takes a hit from nagging doubtMr. Postman, can you take a bullet for me?
Can you take a bullet for me?The English Way
I came to England
I came to study in this hallowed place
But I discovered
A hidden darkness running through the graceAll the men they won't talk
Let the world give chase
They just suffer inside
Scared of losing faceI found the English way
Shrug it off, brush it overGotta be a man now
Stiff upper lip is what their fathers say
All these emotions
Pushed down inside for another dayA silent killer roams the streets
Picking off easy prey
You've got to learn how to speak
These troubles won't go awayI found the English way
Shrug it off, brush it overYour friends and family want to help you, boy
We're all here when you want to talkI found the English way
Shrug it off, brush it overSea Change
I stand up when you wanted to take me down
I stand up when you wanted to take me down
So you run, you run, you run, you run, you run
Seek the higher ground
As waves crash aroundNow you’re running from the sea change
I set sail, cross the oceans against the tide
(Doesn’t matter what the haters say)
Stand tall when you’d rather that I’d capsized
(Change is coming and your judgement day)
So you run, you run, you run, you run, you run
Hide behind the lies
As sea levels riseNow you’re running from the sea change
Tell me how much longer are you gonna stand
And watch our cities drown
Well I’ll storm the towers
Shipwreck the powers
Take to the streets while I still canNow you’re running from the sea change
Measure by Measure
Six of one, half a dozen of the other
It adds up to the same
A late call from your sister or your brother
Just treat it fun like a gameStep-by-step let it climb to your heart
With all manner of speed
Take a breath, don't return to the start
These doubts are traitors you seeIt's all measure by measure
Work hard and stay patient with your lover
And never moan if you're free
Remain calm for the best of one another
Don't leap this balancing beamWhen you're met with the green grass of your neighbour
And your jealousy screams
Never fret, find the things in life to savour
A gradual stitch of the seamsIt's all measure by measure
Some rise by sin, and some by virtue fall
It's all measure by measure
On Being Poor
Seas surrounding
I just can’t sleep
With this wolf hounding my door
Fees are mounding
So pay me please
Bring me order to my shore‘Cos when I’m faced with poison
I just take it down with joy and ask for moreSo please pay
‘Cos I can’t keep temptation from my door
And these days
I could write the book on being poorOh I long for not a fortune
Not a jewel nor trips abroad
Just enough to keep the landlord in tune
And the taxman keeping scoreOh but when I’m faced with poison
You know I’ll take it down with joy and ask for moreSo please pay
‘Cos I can’t keep temptation from my door
And these days
I could write the book on being poor
The Hourglass Sessions
Beginning in May 2020, The Hourglass Sessions is a YouTube series of Fast Trains live performances, all attempted before the hourglass runs out of sand.