British singer-songwriter Tom Odell returned to The SoCal Sound studios in Northridge for another exclusive session and conversation with midday host Julie Slater. This marks the third SoCal Sound session, Odell opened up about his new album, life on tour, and the role of the audience in shaping his music.
First Impressions of L.A. & Life on the Road
Arriving in Northridge on a hot afternoon, Odell joked about the “10 degrees hotter” magic of the Valley, Odell was travelling in that day from the Silver Lake neighborhood, which trends on the milder side heat wise. He also talks about the courage required to navigate Los Angeles traffic. He reflected on adjusting to the rhythm of Southern California’s highways, contrasting them with Europe’s more orderly lane structure. “is the fastest. That's the fastest lane. And then the next one is like the next fastest, and then the one furthest, where's the slow lane? And they don't have that here. Every lane is just, has its own speed”
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Odell admitted that while he doesn’t drive much back home in London—favoring the Tube, taxis, and walking—he enjoys driving in Los Angeles as a meditative escape between shows.
On Writing Honestly & Regretting Albums
Tom’s visit this day was mainly to discuss his seventh album, A Wonderful Life. Odell emphasizes that he tries to write truthfully about “the meeting point between the interior world and the exterior world”. He laughed when asked how the record differs from past releases, noting it might take “another seven years” to fully understand its uniqueness.
Surprisingly candid, he admitted that regret plays an important role in his artistic journey. “I think it’s great to have albums you regret,” he told Slater. “It means you’re doing things with conviction and not trying to please everybody”.
Audience Connection & Live Discovery
Odell emphasized the communal nature of music, explaining that songs don’t exist in isolation—they come alive through listeners’ reactions. “The audience are as much a part of the final product as I am,” he said, comparing the communal singing traditions of rural England to modern concerts. This belief shapes his approach to touring: he constantly changes setlists to keep the experience fresh for himself and his fans. “The best take is often the first take,” he explained. “You can hear the discovery in it.”
Career Highlights & Touring with Lumineers & Billie Eilish
Reflecting on his 2013 debut, Odell noted his early success in Europe gave him the opportunity to build a loyal touring fan base. Tom recently opened for Billie Eilish and has opened in the past for artists like The Lumineers. He has described both as generous collaborators, and while the audience demographics may be different, he found both tours just as meaningful.
Songwriting as Emotional Processing
When asked about the emotional impact of his songs, Odell shared that music has always been his outlet for emotional clarity. As a child, he struggled to express himself, but at the piano, he found a rush of honesty. Now, his songs often help listeners process their own feelings. “That’s my duty now,” he reflected, “to encourage others to practice compassion—for themselves and for others”
He also touched on the paradox of the digital age: “Fifty years from now, we’ll look back and see photos of everyone staring at little black boxes. It’ll look insane,” he said, imagining how future generations might view our relationship with phones.”
Live Performances
Between conversation segments, Tom performed several tracks, showcasing the emotional intensity in its most basic for: a piano and solo vocals. Songs performed from A Wonderful Life included: “Don’t Let Me Go”, “Prayer”, and “Can Old Lovers Just Be Friends”.
Tom Odell is currently on tour in Europe, and A Wonder Life is available now from Virgin Music Group
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The SoCal Sound Interviews are filmed, edited, & photographed by Matt Blake, recorded and mixed by Tristan Dolce, executive produced by Marc "Mookie" Kaczor.
