Tomi Swick Isn't Like John Mayer

Don't be surprised if you can't find the Tomi Swick section at your local record store. There isn't one. The Hamilton-based singer/songwriter's debut album won't hit stores until this summer — in fact, he won't even start recording the record until next week. All of this only seems odd considering that Swick's debut single/video, "A Night Like This," is already all over television and adult contemporary radio stations.

Many will recognize Swick's name (he's been using his unique spelling of "Tomi" since he learned how to read as a child) from the TV campaign for Warner Music Canada's From The Heart compilation. It featured a big "introducing Tomi Swick" banner along with video clips by AC heartthrobs Josh Groban, Daniel Powter and James Blunt. While Swick is thrilled with the exposure that From The Heart has given him and is thankful for the support he's received from light rock radio, he wants potential fans to know that he's not exactly a silky smooth crooner.

"I wouldn't compare myself to someone like John Mayer," Swick says. "Not to diss him, because he's an amazing musician and I like a bunch of his songs, but I think he's really bubblegum and I'm not really like that.

"And I know the song on the compilation is really poppy, but the thing with me is I do like to rock out. People say things like, 'This guy writes like Ron Sexsmith and plays like Matt Mays. Those are the kind of comments I get."

Swick's background certainly isn't the blueprint for your typical sensitive singer/songwriter. He grew up as a high-school football star, but an injury caused him to turn to music during his university years. After some time fronting rock bands, Swick decided to take the quieter songs that he'd been secretly writing and try his turn as a solo artist. He quickly caught the ear of the right people at Warner, who slid him some cash to produce a series of demo recordings. One of those was "A Night Like This."

Luckily, the people at Warner have no intention of pushing Swick to be someone he's not, and the musician has been given the green light to co-produce his debut album and explore his love for James Taylor and Wings-era Paul McCartney as well as his fascination with Radiohead and Pink Floyd.

"The songs on the [From The Heart] compilation are a bit more polished than I'd want them to be," Swick says. "I'm the green guy, I'm the new guy, and I'm still learning a lot about recording.

"When the record comes out, it's going to sound a bit different. The record's going to have a bit more kick to it. Not heavy by any means, but not as polished."

Toronto music fans won't have to wait until the summer to hear Swick's heavier side. He and his band play Chart's Canadian Music Week showcase on March 2 at the Horseshoe Tavern.