People Features

Tom Dale started playing music at a young age, dappling with the drums, then picking up a guitar at the age of seventeen. Originally from Milton Keynes, he spent his early twenties based in South-East London, co-founding blues band Sugarland Slim in 1999.

Capturing the sound of the '30s 'bluesman' era with traditional acoustic slide guitar and blues harmonica, Sugarland Slim performed at blues and folk festivals across the UK and France.

"The band never officially broke up, the four piece just became an occasional three-piece, then a two-piece, then a one-piece, which is me," says Dale.

Busking in St Ives

Whilst adapting to life as a one-man band, Dale made his way to Cornwall. He put his roots down in Penzance, finding the sea and rugged landscape a constant creative inspiration.

After four years in the county, he has established himself as a well-known musician, with his trademark bowler hat and instinctive command of lap-slide guitar, rack harmonica and five-string banjo. Yet he remains an extremely unassuming character.

"I'm out there busking all the time with a big silly hat on, people get to know you," he says.

Inspired by the likes of Woody Gutherie, Robert Johnson and more contemporary artists Bob Dylan and Nick Drake, Dale's music takes his audiences on an evocative journey back to a sound reminiscent of the early blues era. But his lyrics frequently grapple with present day woes, discussing troubles as wide-ranging as freedom of speech, democracy and minimum wage.

Lost in music

"From my experience the audiences I have encountered in Cornwall are appreciative and often openly enthusiastic about original song writing and musicianship," he says.

If audiences stamp their feet loud enough, Dale occasionally makes his encore performance a Huddie Ledbetter (better known as Leadbelly) song, often introducing modern audiences to the old time folk-blues singer.

Born in Louisiana in 1889, Leadbelly is best remembered for his 12-string guitar talent and for helping preserve a folk legacy that has become a significant part of America's musical history.

"Leadbelly's songs used to be dance music. People continue to enjoy them today because they get you moving," says Dale.

Another of Dale's favourite musicians is old-time banjo player and guitarist, Roscoe Holcomb. Born in Kentucky in 1911, Holcomb became the inspiration for the term 'high, lonesome sound', now used to describe bluegrass music.

Tom in concert

Holcomb's repertoire included hymns, and blues ballads. When delving into the greats that have inspired Dale's own music, it's easy to see why he sings songs with lyrics wiser than his 32 years.

However, in terms of contemporary music, Dale's knowledge dwindles considerably.

"I don't have a television or radio so I don't really listen to any modern music. I think Seasick Steve is really good. He's not young but he just came out of nowhere."

It's business as usual for Dale this summer: "Cornwall has such a vibrant and healthy music scene, between bookings and busking I can usually pay all my rent," he says.

"I'd like to go to America and play some of their blues and folk festivals."

You get the feeling he would fit in just fine.