Introducing Tom Walters, our new editor at Wax & Stamp

One of the first things I ever wanted to be when I grew up was a music journalist. As far back as I can remember I have always written things. Music being my biggest passion, it felt natural the two should come together.

Really great music writing is rare. Back in January, Red Bull Music Academy put together their end of year list for the best music writing. It’s a great read in itself and links out to a couple of dozen fantastic pieces of writing from 2014.

People who know me, will know that I started a digital publication last year called London New Journal. My aim was to have a handful of pieces each month, each paid an above average rate. Good journalism costs money, and if finding great music writing these days is rare, then I can only venture to guess that a lot of that is down to the lack of money in the market. London New Journal ultimately failed. But the hope to be able to publish really great writing has always been there.

This is perhaps why I’m particularly happy to announce this today.

Wax & Stamp are now going to start publishing music writing. We will be paying and at a competitive rate.

We’re going to be going for big, punchy pieces, which will allow our writers to go into depth in a subject area. Hopefully, one day we’ll have a handful of things published that make it to that RBMA end of year list as well.

The editor of this platform is Tom Walters. Tom is a music publicist and freelance writer. He’s worked with a lot of artists we love here at W&S, and has covered a load more as a writer. His writing can be seen in the likes of DIY, NME, and London in Stereo. Tom has a keen ear for great music and good writing, and gets what we’re trying to achieve here.

Keep your eyes peeled for our first piece of commissioned writing. Between us, we’ll probably post a few smaller posts along side the big pieces as well.

In the mean time, follow @tommw or email him tom@waxandstamp.com if you want to discuss a piece.