For the past 4 years I’ve been following young Tom and his music career. A lotta highs and a lotta lows, but more than that, a lot of hard work. I’ve sat with Tom in gigs where he’s played to me and the bar staff. Literally. The hours we’ve spent discussing what the formula to success might be. What success looks like. The dream: full rooms of people singing his songs.
This past week a lot of that hard work paid off. Rooms packed, in full voice, singing the tunes. Magic.
As always, I watched from the side lines with our little team we’ve built. None of us shocked or surprised. Proud. We’d been waiting for this. The lad deserves it.
It doesn’t stop here ladies and gents, it only gets bigger. Get behind him, show your support, share his tunes and get out and watch him play.
Young Tom, this is only the beginning. Let’s have it, I’ll see you down the front soft lad.
📸 @capturingclarke@eklectics.co
Tune in to “Forever Running Backwards” tonight on BBC 2 Cymru Wales at 11.05pm. The joint winner of Best Documentary at the 2024 It’s My Shout Awards.
A documentary delving into the life and aspirations of Cal Roberts, a singer-songwriter hailing from Bagillt in North East Wales. This intimate portrayal traces Cal’s journey through the highs and lows of his musical career, shedding light on his struggles with mental health and substance abuse, and his unwavering determination to foster a thriving music scene in North Wales.
Directed by Luke Davies.
As if making a documentary for the BBC wasn't mad enough, we only went and won an award for best documentary at the glamorous @itsmyshoutltd awards! I even had to get a suit which is a big thing for a professional pig like me.
The night was made even more surreal by the giant faces of David Mitchell and Lee Mack looming into the darkness.
In a lifetime of madness, this past year has honestly been one of the wildest journeys I've been on.
Big love to @lukedunk for dreaming this all up and forcing me at gunpoint to tell my story.
Huge hugs for @tlcollinsmusic and @philip.hotchkiss for lending your amazing art and creativity to this project and eternal thanks to @querubinsita_ for being an unstoppable force for all that is right and true.
Forever Running Backwards will be on BBC 2 Wales in July and I'm so buzzing/terrified its unreal. 🤵📷- @charliehannahphotography
3 years ago I set out to make a documentary about the music scene in North Wales. Naturally I was pointed in the direction of musical weirdo Cal Roberts. Very soon our story developed in to something bolder, bigger and crazier that we could’ve fathomed.
3 years later, ‘Forever Running Backwards’ will air on BBC 2 on July 29th for the world to see.
It’s been a mental journey, filled with ups and downs, the highest of highs and the lowest of lows. And this is only the beginning.
We’ve been nominated for Best Documentary at the It’s My Shout Awards 2024. Keeping it all crossed.
A huge thanks my team who worked on this with me.
The whole crew over at @itsmyshoutltd - what a team, never have I felt more at home working on a film. (And their fellow Welshies 🏴✊🏼)
Thanks @tlcollinsmusic and @kylefrancisfalc for coming along for the ride, sharing your stories and playing your tunes for us.
@philip.hotchkiss for assisting with the musical scoring of the film. As always, a stellar job.
And to Cal Roberts (@shy_polar ) for giving me a story worth telling. Thanks for sharing. We did it brother.
20/10/2023
We will officially a documentary on the BBC next year. To be shot in North Wales, about North Wales.
Mission accomplished Brother. Onwards and upwards.
I wrote a silly film and acted in it. It was a hit with our friends across the pond and cleared up 3 awards!
It’s the first thing that I’ve written and actually gone on to make. And the only reason I was able to do that was because of the amaaazing team that I had working with me on it. That’s why they win awards. Because like scarecrows, they’re outstanding in their field. This won’t be the last you hear of us doing cool things together. I’m sure of it. On to the next one 🎥
