Tams’ new songs reflect on life and love: former Idol now indie

Six years after taking top honours on Canadian Idol, Theo Tams remains as committed as ever to making heartfelt, soul-stirring pop music. The singer-songwriter and Leslieville resident has just released a new EP, Back Pocket, his first major project since debut album Give It All Away came out in 2009.

Tams’ powerful vocals and sincere personality—both oft-remarked upon by the Idol judges—continue to earn him loyal fans in his adopted hometown of Toronto.

He moved to the city from Coaldale, Alberta, in 2008, shortly after winning Idol. After renting for a year in the Entertainment District, Tams decamped to Leslieville.

“At the time, the area was in transition. It felt like a small town, and coming from a small town in Alberta, for me it was a much better fit,” he says. “It’s just the best mix of people: artists, businesspeople, students, stroller moms. It’s very eclectic and still has that edginess—it’s just a bit more polished of an edge.”

Tams, who studied classical music at the University of Lethbridge and taught himself to play the piano, wrote or co-wrote Back Pocket’s six songs (available for download on iTunes). The first two singles, the infectious “When You’re Not Around” and the poignant “Stay,” have been getting steady airplay since spring and summer, respectively.

“Most of the songs are about one relationship. I wrote ‘Stay’ really quickly—it was a catalyst to deal with something that, in the moment, was very hard,” says Tams. “I think there comes a point in every relationship where you can choose to work through issues or you can choose to walk away. That song was a gesture that I was willing to stay, and that I hoped he was willing to, also.” (Happy ending: they both stayed.)

In addition to building his solo career—Tams is signed to Slaight Music and has a distribution deal with Warner Music Canada—he fronts an indie pop-folk band, Beyond the Mountain. They frequently play Downtown hotspots like The Rivoli and Cameron House, and they’re also working on an EP.

Tams admits that songwriting with a group has been a learning experience. “It comes down to trusting one another’s creative instincts. We’re all unique artists in our own right. Forging all of those ideas into one cohesive idea is challenging, but that’s also where you come up with a little magic.”

Beyond the Mountain is playing an Indie Week show at The Hideout on Queen St. W. on Oct. 16. Tams’ next solo appearance is on Oct. 19—he’s opening for k.d. lang at The Annual 519 Gala, a fundraiser for The 519 Church Street Community Centre. He’s also a featured performer at “It’s Always Something,” a variety show to benefit Gilda’s Club Greater Toronto, at the Sony Centre on Nov. 20. Comedian Russell Peters is hosting, and Steven Page, Measha Brueggergosman and Colin Mochrie share the stage. For info and tickets, visit sonycentre.ca.

For more about Theo Tams, visit theotams.ca and beyondthemountainmusic.com.