Following the triumph of his debut song, Build a Bear, Tom Nethersole took a brave step, leaving the comfort of his home town and venturing to the big city.
However, as Mr Nethersole exchanged his Ardmona home for a Melbourne apartment, he found himself without his farm’s readily available fresh apples, a bittersweet taste taking its place.
But in a moment of tribulation came inspiration, and his newest song, Meant To Be Alone, was born.
“I wrote this in the first few weeks of me moving to Melbourne from rural Victoria when I found myself sitting at this old, slightly out-of-tune piano, feeling so uncomfortable with being alone,” Mr Nethersole said.
“I’ve always somewhat prided myself on being independent and strong, but in that moment, I felt so homesick, lonely and disconnected from everything I’d ever known.”
After expressing that feeling of loneliness through his art, Mr Nethersole decided to connect with people struggling with the same feeling in his new home.
He placed QR codes throughout Melbourne in locations where individuals often feel alone, such as bus stops and club bathrooms.
These codes serve as an invitation to anonymously share worries, or seek solace and comfort.
Every message submitted on the website is read by Mr Nethersole himself, emphasising the message that no-one is alone and that there is always someone listening, even if it’s just a stranger.
Mr Nethersole has showcased his talent on big stages, including Australian Idol 2023, OutintheOpen, Cresfest, and The Push All Ages Tour.
You can check out the website and/or submit a message here: https://www.tomnethersole.com/bearyoursoul
Meant To Be Alone is released on music streaming services on Friday, August 4.