TOM BUTLER - HIATUS


Dear friends and family, 

I am taking a HIATUS from music for a while. This started following my band’s shows on the 19th of May at the Cavern Club in Liverpool.

For a long time I’ve placed so much importance on being validated by ‘likes’ or ‘views’ or the number of people at my shows. I have consistently prioritised myself (‘my music’) over others for the last two years and for that I am eternally sorry. Last year culminated in big highs and huge lows: putting a band together (which is amazing), winning a songwriting award, inactivity at church and losing the most cherished friendship and relationship I’ve ever had in my life. I played so many shows to many happy faces only to walk home alone and indulge in addictive behaviour. This year has only brought further personal let down and trials. It seems in every conversation I can honestly say “Music is going really, but everything else kinda sucks”. I’ve always put music before my personal well-being. I’ve been convinced by the industry that losing myself in music is how I can truly become the best musician or how I will have the biggest chance for success.

I’ve been working hard over the past couple years to become a great musician. Today marks my shift towards trying to become a great person. To become a better person I honestly believe that a connection with God is fundamental, needed and necessary and I’m going to work on that relationship for a while. My spiritual foundation has been shaky for years, but I’m done sending mixed messages to everyone about my priorities in life. I’m going to be doing my best to put God first again and to love everyone around me. 

I am not announcing that I will never play music again, but I am going to take a break to balance out my life. Then I will slowly re-add music back into the mix in a balanced way. I love music. I love the friendships I’ve built with it and I love the songwriting process and all the creativity that goes into it. I’ll never stop writing songs.

For those who don’t know, here are some things I love outside of music: the Spanish language, travelling, board games, movies, sports.

For future goals, honestly my biggest one is to someday become a kick-ass father that gives everything to his wife and kids (this honestly always has been my biggest goal for years, but I’ve done little to get there).

This is a huge post, but important for me to get out there. I love each of you and hope you can understand where I’m coming from and show some support for me as I make this decision in my life. 

Sincerely, 
Tom Butler

ps. I'll still be playing Glastonbury Festival (official) and Greenbelt Festival

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