When his local café sold a gingerbread person outside of Christmas, indie-pop musician Tom Nethersole considered it a life-changing day.
Now he has a new benchmark: the day he got the call to perform at Spilt Milk, one of Australia’s most iconic music festivals.
Three thoughts flooded his mind when he received the news: shook, disbelief … prank?
It wasn’t a prank. Nethersole will soon be sharing stages with mainstream artists like Kendrick Lamar and Sombr.
Similar to the unexpectedness of finding an out-of-season gingerbread, the rhythm of Nethersole's music career has been one filled with moments of disbelief.
Since releasing his debut single "Build a Bear" in February 2023, Nethersole has gained attention from Rolling Stone magazine for one of his music videos, supported bands Drax Project and RARIA and heard his music played on Triple J.
The latter of these moments, captured in a self-recorded video post on Instagram, shows him clutching a teddy bear, eyes filled with disbelief and a sense of pride evident in his grin.
Now, Tom is releasing his new extended play (EP) Father, Son & the Space in Between later this month, followed by his own Australian tour in December.
By then, his dressing room will probably smell of gingerbread, acting as a little sweet reminder of the little to big joys life has thrown his way.
But how did this country kid in his early 20s go from backyard singing to creating songs that are streamed more than 185,000 times?
“It was a bunch of little breakthroughs that compile over time … pushing the door forward a little bit more so I could get a foot in,” Nethersole says.
It’s a process small musicians breaking into the industry are familiar with, and it needs more ingredients than just talent.
“With this EP I’m working on right now, it’s looking like it’s going to cost $30,000 just to make,” Nethersole admits.
“Even big shows like Spilt Milk or my EP launch and stuff like that, these feel like such big things, and I think people … assume they are just … paid for.”
To make it work, Nethersole has juggled up to four jobs over the past couple years.
“I think trying to find time for music while also trying to make the money to make it sustainable, I think that’s been one of the biggest challenges,” he says.
Yet none of that strain is felt in his sound. His music wraps listeners with a raw openness inviting vulnerability. This energy seeps into his creative process where he thrives off collaboration and connection.
“When I’m locked in a room with another artist and we’re really locked in on the creative process that feels like it can go for hours and we can just write a bunch of songs or really hone in on one kind of idea,” Nethersole says.
“Those are the days where I feel most like a musician.”
The title of musician often carries a glossy image, but behind it sits sacrifice, dedication and heart. It’s a title Nethersole has earned the hard way with no inner industry connections or financial boosting, just hard work.
Hard work has led to a soon-to-be sweet reward: dipping a gingerbread person into some Spilt Milk. A true blend of joy and grit.
