A musical collection of wanderlust experiences gathered over the last 4 years of the life of Tommy WÁ and his friends, family and neighbours.
In essence, this is the roadman's attempt to artistically articulate his observations of similar happenings in his life and that of familiar folks.
TRACK LIST
"Dumb luck is a striking juxtaposition of flash phrases and thoughts drawn from happenings in a relationship and the politics of being loved or receiving love".
"Despite not shying away from the fact that “life is filled with shortcomings”, Tommy WÁ reminds us on ‘YAKOYO’ to hold on to an abundance mindset, and the importance of creating, sharing and feasting on communal hope."
"Gravity exudes confidence as Tommy WÁ describes the daring forays and explorations of space by an African, as well as the blurry flitting between dreamy fantasy and reality, thus, inspiring freedom and wanderlust in the midst of the ever-moving natural and celestial elements."
"Come and Go was born during an instance of returning home with a glowing aura from a romantic relationship and is complimented by parental advice and affirmation."
Sons of Beaches is a song that highlights the nuances of life on the coastal parts of Ghana.
This record started as merely a poem drawn from a memoir of a friendship that had a subtle tendency for romantic longing but decidedly became platonic by the end of a sleepless night on Lokko Street. The landmark 'Lokko Street' is one of Accra's famous creative alleys which happens to be the same location where Tommy WA met Ansah Live and Obed of Superjazzclub for the first time.
This song acknowledges the art of survival and what may seem like obscure days by reassuring the listener of a season for blossoming. "It may or may not take a while”, says Tommy WÁ, "I am gonna get my flowers."
Playlist Guide
Themes & Keywords
Romantic longing/contemplation, the pursuit of happiness, deep oblivion, interconnectivity/commUnity, metaphysical travel, off-the-map, coastal living, blooming flowers, career ambition, Afronaut
Genre Inspirations
Contemporary African folk, Indie, Indie folk, Alternative pop, Retro soul, blues, coastal, and Electronic.
Collaborators
The Isomers, Superjazzclub
Artist Inspiration
Cosmo Pyke, Bongeziwe Madanla, Michael Kiwanuka, Brittany Howard, Brymo, Asa, Keziah Jones, Otis Redding, Benjamin Clementine, Jacob Banks, Tracy Chapman
Audience
- Africans: Nigeria, Ghana, Kenya, South Africa, Senegal, Cote d'Ivoire, Tanzania, Uganda
- Americans: Brazil, USA, Mexico, Canada
- Asians: China, Thailand, Japan
Characteristics:
African Diaspora, Digital nomads, Bi-racial, Mavericks, Creatives, Adventure seekers, Feel good people, Naturalist/environmentalists, Family/Community inclined persons.
Age
16 - 23 (11%), 24 -35 (47%), 36 - 54 (33%), 55 - 70 (9%)
BUDGET GUIDE
A budget for financial and human resources is needed for this project's success. The 5-7 track EP will be produced in an analogue/ digital studio in Accra Ghana. It will take approximately two weeks, from rehearsals to the end of recording. Post-production (arranging, mixing, and mastering) will take approximately 1 month. You are welcome to support us in any capacity. Click here to request a detailed budget.
RELEASE GUIDE
Pre Release
- Release audio of Yakoyo 12 weeks to project release (First single off the project)
- TikTok campaign for Yakoyo (generative videos of people in restaurants, potluck, picnics and using the song with family and friends)
- Restaurant/coffee house shows in Accra, Kumasi and Lagos
- Media Tour (Traditional and online)
- Release official audio of Dumb Luck 4 weeks to project release (2nd single off the project)
- Official video for Dumb Luck (To be released a week after single release)
- Acoustic performance video for Dumb Luck (To be released a week after single release)
- Tommy WÁ Live in Accra - 4th Nov
- Announcement of EP (with a pre-save link attached)
- TikTok/Instagram challenge for Dumb Luck (Generative videos of people)
- Living Room Sessions - Interview by Antoine Mensah about the project (a week before project release)
- Pop-up acoustic live performance at Yakoyo restaurant in Lagos - To be filmed (release TBC).
- Tommy WA live in Lagos - 26th Nov
- Release trailer video for EP (3 days before the official release of the project)
- The official release of Roadman and Folks EP (30th November).
Post Release
- EP Listening Party in Abuja - 10th Dec
- EP Listening Party in Accra - 19th Dec
- Official Visualizer for Sons of Beaches (To be released 2 months after EP)
- Press editorials and spotlight (Digital and Prints)
- Podcast/Interview appearances (Radio/TV)
- Acoustic performance video for Sons of Beaches (To be released 2 weeks official video)
- Visualizer for YAKOYO - video collage highlighting familiar folks (To be released in March 202
- Official video for Flowers (To be released in May 2024).
- Roll out of videos from Tommy WA Live show (To be released from February 2024)
- Touring the EP in other W-African Cities which will lead up to a potential tour in SA, UK, EU, MXC (Between April - August)
- Potential Glicth Africa performance for YAKOYO / Come and Go (Between April and August)
- Potential Colors Studio performance for Gravity/Dumb Luck (Between April and August)
- Potential Mahogany Sessions performance for Dumb Luck/Flowers (Between April and August)
- Potential Sofar Sounds Accra performance for LNOLS/Sons of Beaches (Between April and August)
- Roadman and Folks Exhibition (1st week of September 2024).
SUPPORTING ELEMENTS
Roadman and Folks PR Campaign
The EP has so much PR potential. The channels of the campaign are podcasts, TV/Radio interviews, magazine editorial, billboards, social media marketing etc
Somewhere Only We Go
Somewhere Only We Go is a quartely show concept curated for familiar folks of Tommy WÁ. In a similar secret gig fashion to the Living Room Tour, the roadman and his folks set camp at random locations in various cities and create a show from there. In the long run, this concept would serve the purpose of a festival where other artists can perform.
Roadman and Folks Exhibition (Documentary Photos & Video)
There is a potential for an exhibition showcasing photo works of Suleiman The Maverick and a documentary from the journey of Tommy WÁ.
Roadman and Folks Merchandise
Items: Limited editions of Vinyl, Cassette tapes, upcycled hats, T-shirts, Neck Pieces, Totes/Shopping bags and camping gear.
Roadman and Folks Tour
This project has tour potential in Sub-Saharan Africa, UK/Europe, North/South America and South East Asia