Some of America’s biggest heartthrobs have roots overseas. From our childhood obsession over One Direction to the classic Harry Potter star, Daniel Radcliffe, these esteemed individuals share a common hometown: the U.K. And it’s no different for 21-year-old musician, Oliver Milmine, better known by his stage name, Tommy Newport. Relocating to the United States when he was only six years old, he’s been long accustomed to the American lifestyle, growing up in “home-of-the-cornfields” Kansas. With not much to do when he was younger, Oliver began playing guitar at 14, and eventually moved into the songwriting world shortly thereafter. His first release, “Spaceman Cowboy” under his last name, Milmine, secured him over 8 million streams to date. Now that’s out of this world!
At 18-years-old, Oliver was discovered by his manager and producer via Apple Music, and they presented him with the million dollar question, “What’s your stage name?” Jumping at the opportunity to create a popstar persona, Oliver stumbled into the name “Tommy Newport.” Under his new identity, Oliver writes, produces, and plays all the instruments for his ever-growing musical library that is not defined by a genre. “If I like what I made, it’ll fall into the genre it’s supposed to,” he states.
As a full time career, Oliver spends most of his time making beats, shooting music videos, and updating his YouTube channel. It takes hard work and dedication to break into this industry, and he is no stranger to this fact. In an interview with SHEESH!, Oliver tells all of his transition from ordinary Englander to topliner Tommy Newport. As Estelle and Kanye West would say, we’re likin’ this American boy! So, let’s get into it.
What was it like growing up in England?
TOMMY NEWPORT: It’s a lot different from the U.S. It’s like going to another planet, at least that’s what it felt like when I moved to America when I was six. I was like ‘what the hell?’ Lots of beautiful things to see and nice people over there, though.
And how about Kansas?
TOMMY NEWPORT: There’s pretty places to go in nature. It’s alright. You’d be fine if you lived here.
So, Tommy Newport, is that your real name?
TOMMY NEWPORT: No, I made it up. I had music out under my last name Milmine, and I wanted to know what it was like to put an album on iTunes, and I didn’t really think about the artist name. My producer and manager found that album back in 2018, and we sat down and talked about if i wanted to keep using my last name, or if I wanted to be a Frank Ocean or a Harry Styles. And it was like, ‘I want to create a stage name!’ We sent a bunch of first names to each other like Alphy or Tommy or Ryan. I like the way Tommy sounds.
The ‘Newport’ came from my brother who I never really saw, but whenever he came home from college, we would smoke one cigarette, and he always had Newports. We decided on Tommy while we were smoking, and I was like ‘Newport. That’s a killer last name.’
Do you make music full-time?
TOMMY NEWPORT: Yes, it is full-time. You have to just jump over it and commit to it and hopefully make a living from it. Sometimes it works out and sometimes it doesn’t. Right now, it is and I’m making a living from it.
Are you proficient in instruments?
TOMMY NEWPORT: I wouldn’t say proficient, but all the sounds in my songs are done by me, like a VST instrument or a live instrument. I know how to play piano, but I wouldn’t call myself a pianist. I would probably be embarrassed to say that. I know it enough to write music with it.
What’s your favorite song you’ve ever made?
TOMMY NEWPORT: From the songs that I’ve put out, “La Riviera” on my album is my favorite. Well, I like them all. Actually, I’m happy with them all.
What song gained you the most traction?
TOMMY NEWPORT: “Movie screens.” I was invited onto the color sessions with that one. It gained traction in late 2019.”
So, how did you come up with “Movie Screens?”
TOMMY NEWPORT: I was messing around with the bass guitar, and I had this little loop. It sat on my computer forever, so I shared it with my producer. He thought it was really cool, and we made a song with it. We did the vocals in LA; it’s this upbeat kind of track. It was the first song I put out that was indie-pop. It was a transition into a new sound.
Where do you get your inspiration from?
TOMMY NEWPORT: I listen to a lot of music on Spotify, and I used to be a SoundCloud kid. I get inspiration from movies mostly. I love watching Tarantino films… you know, the cliche “indie” films. I get inspiration from fashion and art I see on Instagram, too. But musicians are hard. I’d have to say Dan Auerbach from The Black Keys, Brandon Flowers from The Killers, and Morrissey from The Smiths are my top three. I have so many other influences, too. I would put them all at #1 if I could.
Your music has appeared in movies and TV shows. Which ones?
TOMMY NEWPORT: This year, Amy Schumer had a special out on HBO and used one of my songs. I had one on The Sinner and Search Party. There was one on Netflix called What/If. And we had an Apple iPad commercial. It’s been really cool. They chose ‘Future Man,’ which was on my last EP.
What artists would you love to make music with?
TOMMY NEWPORT: I would like to collab with The Killers or Daft Punk. I think Daft Punk would get back together if I asked them to work with me haha. If Freddie Mercury or David Bowie were alive, that would be great, too.
Who do you admire most?
TOMMY NEWPORT: I always admire people who are where I want to be, and I hope I can emulate that in some way. If I had to pick, probably Dan Auerbach.
Why Dan Auerbach?
TOMMY NEWPORT: It’s about how hard he worked, and if you go back and look at what The Black Keys were putting out in the early 2000s, he’s still going today. I can see how hard it is already as a small artist, and that guy has won Grammys and done everything…everything I hope to accomplish. I respect how talented he is and how he can play the guitar. He’s really trying his hardest in this industry.
What kinds of interests do you have outside of music?
TOMMY NEWPORT: I played soccer my whole life, so I like to go and kick the ball around. I want to learn how to sew and make clothes and stuff. I’ve seen people making rugs on Instagram, so I want to get a rug making gun.
You have a YouTube channel, right?
TOMMY NEWPORT: Yeah, it’s just Tommy Newport. I’d love to do vlogs, but I don’t have time to edit that shit. I post music videos and audio, but I want to do more stuff on there.
And on that note… make sure to follow Tommy Newport on Instagram for release updates, and give him a listen on Spotify and Apple Music.
Looking for a sick new outfit? Buy Tommy Newport merch here!
