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Tommy Villiers

Thomas George Villiers is an English musician from Saffron Walden. After being introduced to dance music via his brother, he began producing drum and bass tracks and uploading them to SoundCloud. While at the Royal Northern College of Music, he joined See Thru Hands and cofounded Porij, with whom he released one and two EPs respectively. In mid-2020, he formed Piri & Tommy with Piri, with whom he released the mixtape Froge.mp3, which they promoted with Froge.tour, and several singles including "Soft Spot", "Beachin", "On & On", "Feel It", "Updown", and "Nice 2 Me". He also played Scotty in the music video for Wet Leg's "Ur Mum" and has released several singles including a remix of LF System's "Afraid to Feel".

Tommy Villiers
Villiers performing in London, 2024
Background information
Birth nameThomas George Villiers
Also known as
  • Froge
Occupations
  • Singer
  • songwriter
  • producer
  • guitarist
  • trumpeter
Labels
Member of
Formerly of

Life and career

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Early life

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Thomas George Villiers[1] grew up in Saffron Walden,[2] and was a fan of the Red Hot Chili Peppers.[3] He attended Saffron Walden County High School,[4] at which he would proffer his grade eight[5] trumpet skills to any high school band that would entertain him.[3] While there, he started a funk rock band,[3] Room C.[4] In 2016, he played at that year's Justice Service for the County of Essex.[6] When he was in sixth form, his older brother began taking him to house parties, where he developed an interest in dance music.[3] After receiving a Mac and deciding he wanted to replicate what he was hearing,[7] he began producing drum and bass tracks, uploading them to SoundCloud, and DJing at house parties.[8]

Bands

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Villiers attended the Royal Northern College of Music (RNCM),[9] from which he holds a degree in popular music.[5] While there,[10]: 29:33  he joined the bands See Thru Hands and Porij,[11] the former after being recruited at a jam session to join four personal friends of the band's vocalist.[12] By January 2019, See Thru Hands had released an EP, Hot City/Connectivity, which David Sue of Manchester Evening News compared to Prince, Chic, Hot Chip, and New Order.[13] A reviewer for DIY later described "Hot City" as "disco-inflected post-punk"[14] and Paul Carr of PopMatters compared its introduction to that of Stevie Wonder's "Superstition".[15]

Villiers set up Porij in early 2019[16] with other students from his RNCM course.[17] Just before the second United Kingdom COVID-19 lockdown,[18] he matched with Piri on Tinder;[5] a couple of weeks later, one of Porij's photographers retweeted one of their photoshoots, prompting Piri to locate his Instagram account and ask him out.[10]: 38:07  Their first date was at Piccadilly Gardens, at which they bonded over a shared love of disco.[5] After it was realised that Piri could sing and Villiers could produce, they set about writing together. The first song they recorded, "Sunlight", was a house song.[19] She later moved into his student house[20] in Manchester and formed Piri & Tommy with him.[10] Porij released the Breakfast EP in November 2020 and the Baby Face EP in September 2021.[21] Villiers left this band in early 2022[22] to concentrate on Piri & Tommy, remaining in Porij long enough to gain writing credits on their third EP, Outlines.[23]

Piri & Tommy released "It's a Match" in March 2021,[24]: 37:50  a disco song made after both experimented with numerous genres.[10] Their second song, June 2021's "Soft Spot", went viral on Spotify and TikTok,[25] prompting EMI to sign them, re-release "Soft Spot",[20] and release the singles "Beachin" in January 2022[26] and "Words" in April 2022.[27] They then signed to Polydor Records,[28] who released "On & On" in July 2022[29] and then the mixtape Froge.mp3 in October 2022. The latter took its name from a nickname they used to give each other[19] and featured "Sunlight", "Soft Spot", "Beachin", "Words", "On & On",[30] and "Player 2", with Villiers providing lead vocals on the last of these.[31] They promoted the mixtape with Froge.tour, which ran from 2 to 19 November.[30] A week after the tour finished, the pair split up and did not talk to each other until April 2023,[24]: 44:20  though Robin Murray of Clash reported in January 2023 that Piri and Villiers would release previously recorded music and planned to work together in the future.[32]

Later that month, they featured on MJ Cole's "Feel It", to which Villiers contributed a guitar solo.[33] Piri and Villiers followed this with "Updown" in February 2023[34] and "Nice 2 Me" in May 2023.[35] In July 2023, the pair released "Lovergirl" as independent artists,[36]: 1:19:39  followed by "Bluetooth" in October[37] and "Christmas Time" in November.[38] In August 2024, they announced an EP and released the liquid drum and bass track "99%" from it.[39] The month after, they released the dance-pop track "Dog" alongside an announcement that the EP would be called "About Dancing" and be released later that year.[40] In February 2023, he played as part of Ninety One Living Room's house band Dojo Dojo[41] and in April 2024, he performed as half of Toast Club.[42]

Solo career

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In April 2022,[43] Villiers played the anti-hero,[44] Scotty,[43] in the music video for Wet Leg's "Ur Mum", directed by Lava La Rue;[44] in an interview in June 2023, he stated that he got the job after supporting Nine8 Collective,[45]: 6:02  a group composed of Lava La Rue, Mac Wetha, Bone Slim, Biig Piig, Nayana Iz, Nige and LorenzoRSV,[46] and after being interviewed for the role in the venue's green room by La Rue.[45]: 6:02  By September 2022, he had released a remix of LF System's "Afraid to Feel";[47] that month, he signed a solo publishing deal in September 2022 with Tim & Danny Music.[48] In November 2022, he released a remix of "Noodle Poodle" by Nine8 Collective.[49] By July 2023, he had released "Not Puzzled" featuring Ceòl-Min; that month, he released "To the Moon" with Hertfordshire-based rapper Mustbejohn, a song about the possibilities of a night out.[50]

Artistry

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In May 2021, Villiers cited Coco Bryce as an inspiration on the grounds that no two of his breaks were the same.[51] "To the Moon" was inspired by the UK garage and Brazilian music he and Mustbejohn were listening to during studio sessions,[52] while Toast Club were inspired by yacht rock and California sound.[42] Dork wrote in August 2024 that Villiers took inspiration from "everything from Daft Punk music videos to black midi press shoots".[53]

Discography

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Mixtapes

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Title Details
Froge.mp3
(Piri & Tommy)

Singles

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As lead artist

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Singles as lead artist
Title Album Year Ref.
"Change a Thing" Non-album singles 2019 [54]
"Poinciana" 2020
"Soft Spot"
(Piri & Tommy Villiers) 		Froge.mp3 2021
"Beachin"
(Piri & Tommy) 		2022
"Words"
(Piri & Tommy)
"On & On"
(Piri & Tommy)
"Unlock It"
(Piri & Tommy) 		Non-album singles
"Not Puzzled"
(Tommy Villiers & Ceòl-Mìn)
"Updown"
(Piri & Tommy Villiers) 		2023
"Nice 2 Me"
(Piri & Tommy Villiers)
"To the Moon"
(Tommy Villiers & Mustbejohn)
"Lovergirl"
(Piri & Tommy)
"Strangers to Lovers"
(Tommy Villiers & Nat Slater)
"Bluetooth"
(Piri & Tommy)
"Christmas Time"
(Piri & Tommy)
"Marmalade (For Your Love)"
(Flourish & Tommy Villiers) 		Embrace 2024 [55]
"Top Bins"
(Tommy Villiers & KiLLOWEN) 		Non-album singles [54]
"99%"
(Piri & Tommy)
"Dog"
(Piri & Tommy)
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Singles as featured artist
Title Year Album Ref.
"Feel It"
(MJ Cole featuring Piri & Tommy Villiers) 		2023 Non-album singles [54]
"Garage Talk (Ur Dun Out)"
(Bone Slim & Tommy Villiers) 		[56]

Writing credits

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Song Year Artist Co-writers Ref.
"It's a Match" 2021 Piri Sophie McBurnie [57]
"Morning Blues" 2023 Emzo Emilion Buckz, Sophie McBurnie [58]

Remixes

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Song Year Artist Co-producers Album Ref.
"Boxes" 2018 Darcie None Non-album singles [59]
"Tiptoeing" 2021 Hope Tala [54]
"Border Control" 2022 See Thru Hands [60]
"Motions" B-ahwe [61]
"Afraid to Feel" LF System [54]
"Noodle Poodle" NiNE8 98 Nights [62]
"Looking for Love" 2023 Disclosure Alchemy (The Remixes) [63]
"Head" Maisi, Piri Non-album singles [64]
"Come to My House" 2024 Lucy Tun Piri [65]

Other credits

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Album Year Artist Notes
Garage Classical 2019 DJ Spoony Villiers played guitar on this album, which included "Flowers",[66] which charted at numbers 48 and 26 on the UK Albums Chart and UK Dance Singles Chart.[67]

References

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  1. ^ "Updown". American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers. Retrieved 10 July 2023.
  2. ^ Paleblu on Reprezent - Paleblu interviews Tommy Villier May 2022, retrieved 26 September 2023
  3. ^ a b c d "Piri & Tommy Villiers - 1883 Magazine". 30 September 2021. Retrieved 4 August 2023.
  4. ^ a b "Saffron Walden Blues & Rock Weekender preview: Introducing...Room C". Saffron Walden Reporter. 5 September 2014. Retrieved 7 August 2023.
  5. ^ a b c d Helm, Jake. "Piri and Tommy: meet the rising stars of pop". The Times. Archived from the original on 8 November 2022.
  6. ^ "High Sheriff of Essex brings Justice Service to Saffron Walden". Dunmow Broadcast. 12 October 2016. Retrieved 26 September 2023.
  7. ^ "Miz w/ Piri & Tommy Villiers". Reprezent Radio. Archived from the original on 23 February 2023. Retrieved 1 February 2023.
  8. ^ "The Zoomer Embrace of Drum 'n' Bass". Pitchfork. 29 October 2021. Retrieved 4 August 2023.
  9. ^ "Rising highs for popular music artists - Royal Northern College of Music". RNCM. Retrieved 4 August 2023.
  10. ^ a b c d "The Daisy Adams Show w/ Piri and Tommy Villiers 27th October 2021". Reform Radio. Archived from the original on 13 February 2023. Retrieved 13 February 2023.
  11. ^ "Best New Artists". www.complex.com. Retrieved 13 September 2024.
  12. ^ "a/s/l: See Thru Hands". Birthday Cake For Breakfast. 1 January 2022. Retrieved 5 September 2024.
  13. ^ Sue, David (16 January 2019). "Made in Manchester: See Thru Hands". Manchester Evening News. Retrieved 13 September 2024.
  14. ^ "The Neu Bulletin (Role Model, Zack Villere, See Thru Hands and more!)". DIY. 24 October 2019. Retrieved 13 September 2024.
  15. ^ "Brits in Hot Weather #18: Novacub, Johnny Kills, See Thru Hands, Brooke Bentham, Søren Lorensen, PopMatters". www.popmatters.com. 28 October 2019. Retrieved 13 September 2024.
  16. ^ Sue, David (5 March 2020). "Made in Manchester - Porij". Manchester Evening News. Retrieved 23 February 2024.
  17. ^ Hutchinson, Kate (28 November 2020). "One to watch: Porij". The Guardian. Retrieved 26 January 2024.
  18. ^ J, Trixie (4 April 2023). "Piri And Tommy Rose From Viral Rookies To UK Dance's Next Big Ace. | Nexus Radio". Retrieved 22 July 2023.
  19. ^ a b Holden, Finlay (30 November 2022). "Hype List 2023: piri & tommy: "You've just got to take one thing at a time"". Dork. Archived from the original on 24 January 2023. Retrieved 24 January 2023.
  20. ^ a b Jolley, Ben (1 December 2021). "Piri and Tommy Villiers: ambition and reinvention from vibrant drum 'n' bass duo". NME. Archived from the original on 9 December 2022. Retrieved 15 January 2023.
  21. ^ "Class of 2022: Porij". DIY. 15 December 2021. Retrieved 4 February 2024.
  22. ^ Reilly, Nick; Richards, Will (22 March 2024). "Rolling Stone UK's Future Of Music: see the full list". Rolling Stone UK. Retrieved 3 April 2024.
  23. ^ Williams, Sophie (12 September 2022). "Porij: dynamic Manchester gang with festival season's most fun live show". NME. Retrieved 5 August 2023.
  24. ^ a b "Piri – Going Viral, Sustaining A Career in Music and Making OnlyFans Content". Utopia Talks. 20 September 2023. Archived from the original on 16 October 2023. Retrieved 11 October 2023.
  25. ^ Zhang, Cat (29 October 2021). "The Zoomer Embrace of Drum 'n' Bass". Pitchfork. Archived from the original on 10 March 2023. Retrieved 10 March 2023.
  26. ^ Murray, Robin (28 January 2022). "Track Of The Day 28/1 – piri & tommy". Clash Music. Archived from the original on 28 February 2023. Retrieved 28 February 2023.
  27. ^ McCarthy, Neive (7 July 2022). "piri & tommy: "I remember when I first discovered dance music. Once you're in, there's no going back"". Dork. Archived from the original on 17 November 2022. Retrieved 25 January 2023.
  28. ^ Kemp, Ellie (23 June 2022). "The Manchester acts worth watching at Glastonbury 2022". Manchester Evening News. Archived from the original on 1 February 2023. Retrieved 1 February 2023.
  29. ^ "piri & tommy Share Joyous New Bumper 'on & on'". Clash Music. 29 July 2022. Archived from the original on 25 May 2023. Retrieved 25 May 2023.
  30. ^ a b Holden, Finlay (21 September 2022). "piri & tommy have announced their debut project, 'froge.mp3'". Dork. Archived from the original on 4 March 2023. Retrieved 4 March 2023.
  31. ^ Matos, Michelangelo. "Piri & Tommy: "Froge.mp3"". The New Yorker. Retrieved 27 September 2024.
  32. ^ Murray, Robin (11 January 2023). "piri & Tommy Reveal "Amicable" Break-Up". Clash. Archived from the original on 15 January 2023. Retrieved 15 January 2023.
  33. ^ McCarthy, Neive (20 January 2023). "MJ Cole has joined forces with piri & tommy for new track, 'Feel It'". Dork. Retrieved 11 July 2023.
  34. ^ "piri & Tommy Share Ecstatic New Blaster 'updown'". Clash Music. 20 February 2023. Retrieved 20 February 2023.
  35. ^ O'Connor, Siobhain (24 May 2023). "piri & Tommy Villiers have dropped their new "summer banger", 'nice 2 me'". Dork. Retrieved 7 August 2023.
  36. ^ "BBC Radio 1 - Radio 1's Future Sounds, with Jack Saunders: Chase & Status and Bou Hottest Record". BBC. Retrieved 28 July 2023.
  37. ^ Peters, Jo (26 October 2023). "Piri & Tommy Share New Single 'Bluetooth' Ahead of 'Extra Hot' Tour". WithGuitars. Archived from the original on 26 October 2023. Retrieved 26 October 2023.
  38. ^ Hussain, Shahzaib (24 November 2023). "piri & Tommy Share Slick Holiday Offering 'Christmas Time'". Clash Magazine Music News, Reviews & Interviews. Archived from the original on 29 November 2023. Retrieved 27 November 2023.
  39. ^ Taylor, Sam (7 August 2024). "piri & tommy pay homage to partying with their new single, '99%'". Dork. Retrieved 7 August 2024.
  40. ^ Palmans, Lucas (27 September 2024). "Nieuwe single piri & tommy - "dog"". Dansende Beren (in Dutch). Retrieved 30 September 2024.
  41. ^ "Five Points presents: dojo dojo ft. Tommy Villiers". Ninety One Living Room. Retrieved 9 October 2023.
  42. ^ a b "Tickets for The Cav Presents: 11.4.24 on 11/04/24 in The Cavendish Arms, London". Eventim UK. Retrieved 3 September 2024.
  43. ^ a b Promonews. "Wet Leg 'Ur Mum' by Lava La Rue | Videos". Promonewstv. Retrieved 6 August 2023.
  44. ^ a b "Awards, Harry Styles, and 'hand dick': the songs that scored Wet Leg's wild year". Double J. 3 March 2023. Retrieved 6 August 2023.
  45. ^ a b Tommy Villiers Interview @ Art Club, retrieved 9 October 2023
  46. ^ "Radical pop collective Nine8: 'Anyone who thinks like us is part of the gang'". The Guardian. 8 June 2021. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 6 August 2023.
  47. ^ "How LF System's Ecstatic "Afraid To Feel" Became The UK's Biggest Hit Of 2022". Stereogum. 7 September 2022. Retrieved 6 August 2023.
  48. ^ Thraves, Lucy. "Pop dance duo Piri & Tommy sign with Warner Chappell and Tim & Danny Music". Musicweek.com. Archived from the original on 1 February 2023. Retrieved 1 February 2023.
  49. ^ Holden, Finlay (14 November 2022). "NiNe8 Collective have shared a remix of their recent single, 'Noodle Poodle', from Tommy Villiers of piri & tommy". Dork. Retrieved 6 August 2023.
  50. ^ "Tommy Villiers releas collaboration with mustbejohn, 'To The Moon' • WithGuitars". www.withguitars.com. Retrieved 6 August 2023.
  51. ^ "Get To Know… Porij". DIY. 13 May 2021. Retrieved 3 April 2024.
  52. ^ Taylor, Sam (14 July 2023). "Tommy Villiers has collaborated with mustbejohn for new single, 'To The Moon'". Dork. Retrieved 3 September 2024.
  53. ^ Ackroyd, Stephen (9 August 2024). "piri & tommy: 99% and rising". Dork. Retrieved 3 September 2024.
  54. ^ a b c d e f "Tommy Villiers - Discography". Spotify. Retrieved 19 October 2024.
  55. ^ "Flourish - Discography". Spotify. Retrieved 30 October 2024.
  56. ^ GARAGE TALK (Ur Dun Out), 9 June 2023, retrieved 30 October 2024
  57. ^ "Piri". Spotify. Archived from the original on 21 July 2021.
  58. ^ "Emzo - Discography". Spotify. Retrieved 5 October 2024.
  59. ^ Boxes Reworks, 22 February 2018, retrieved 30 October 2024
  60. ^ Border Control, 29 April 2022, retrieved 30 October 2024
  61. ^ Motions Remixes, 16 June 2022, retrieved 30 October 2024
  62. ^ "NiNE8 - Discography". Spotify. Retrieved 30 October 2024.
  63. ^ "Disclosure - Discography". Spotify. Retrieved 30 October 2024.
  64. ^ head (Remixes), 18 October 2023, retrieved 30 October 2024
  65. ^ "Piri & Tommy - Discography". Spotify. Retrieved 30 October 2024.
  66. ^ DJ Spoony - Garage Classical, 18 October 2019, retrieved 12 October 2024
  67. ^ "DJ SPOONY". Official Charts. 31 October 2019. Retrieved 12 October 2024.
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