Radio 1 judge Tom Deacon is one of the UK’s favourite DJs, as well as entertaining the nation and brightening up Sunday evenings, he is also getting ready to judge the final of the UK’s biggest music competition Live and Unsigned.

Tom Deacon Radio 1 show

Tom began his career on the comedy circuit, working his way up through the ranks and playing sets at Edinburgh Festival, winning the Chortle Comedy Award in 2007. After moving to London, he began presenting for BBC Switch and took the lead on the 5.19 show, which led to the birth of his weekend, self titled show, on Radio One.

Tom Deacon on Unsigned Music

We caught up with him to find out what he’ll be looking for as a judge, what he thinks it takes to break the industry today and why he’d like a time machine.

L&U:So one minute you’re on stage performing to an audience, the next you’re in a radio studio presenting to the nation, what’s that like?

Tom:Well, My comedy is normally very physical so I had to retrain myself for the radio, where eye contact just doesn’t work! My favourite part about being on the air is live interviews, where I can get the best out of people. I have to plan shows to a certain extent just like with my stand up, but I also like to go off randomly.

L&U:You got spotted by the BBC – are there any other radio stations you would have wanted to work for?

Tom:When I was growing up in Southampton, I listened my local radio station– I once gave a shout out to a girl I fancied, and although it never got played that was my first taste of being on the radio, and so for that reason it would be Power FM!

L&U: What’s it like rubbing shoulders with Fearne Cotton, Zane Lowe and Scott Mills on a daily basis. Is it a fairly ‘grounded’ environment?

Tom:The thing about Radio 1 DJs is they’re all real people and nice, it’s humbling.  I still feel lucky meeting them, but never in awe. Scott Mills has been great, he showed me the ropes when I started at Radio One and I really respect Sara Cox - I wish she was my Mum!

L&U:What’s your favourite kind of music?

Tom:My tastes evolve, when I was younger I loved Hip Hop, as my brother was a DJ, but now I like a huge amount of everything. Radio One gives me the chance to listen to things I wouldn’t normally have heard of. I’m against music fascism – I think people should listen to something before making an opinion on it – you should be able to say why you don’t like something or why you do – I’ll happily listen to anything to find out what it’s like.

L&U:If you weren’t a Radio One DJ, what job do you think you would be doing?

Tom:I used to work at John Lewis, so I think I’d still be working there and enjoying the discount! Or maybe I’d be doing a job travelling the world...

L&U:  Who is your favourite band?

I’d say Funeral Party are my favourite at the moment.  I also really like The Foals.

L&U:If you had to be a member of a band, who would you be?

I’d like to think I’d be the Lead singer as they get all of the attention, but most likely I’d be at the back of the stage playing the keys.

L&U: If you were kidnapped and put in the back of a tour van, whose van would it be? And why?

Tom:The Blackout! They’re complete jokers and I love the Welsh. Or maybe Kings of Leon – I’d like to know if they are really as professional as they seem. Maybe I could use a time machine and go on a Kings of Leon through the ages tour – from the beginning to now – see how they’ve changed and if they’re still as excited by living on a tour bus as they were at the start.

L&U: If we gave you a microphone right now, what song do you think you would sing?

Tom:I’d sing Yellow Submarine, by the Beatles, because I know the words and it’s a comedy song.

L&U:You play hit singles every week so what do you think makes a number one record?

If I knew that, I’d bottle it and every band would be awesome. For me personally, a single has to connect and have something memorable such as tune or lyrics – it has to be catchy and make you want to listen! Someone like Taio Cruz has it all buttoned up, I have a lot of respect for him - he has the secret and I wish I knew it!

L&U:You listen to the radio all day. We audition bands live – do you think there’s a real difference between hearing a demo and a live performance? What is it?

Tom:There is a massive difference when bands are live, you get the interaction with them and there is atmosphere from the crowd.  I end up liking bands that I never would have considered after seeing them live as I get caught up in it more. If I like a track I always try to go and see them live. That’s where people like Nick Grimshaw come in – playing new music on the radio creates a demand to go and see the act for yourself.

Tom Deacon at Live and Unsigned

L&U:What will you be looking for as a judge?

Tom:For a start, anyone that stands in front of me, I have massive respect for – as they get up and make music – something I can’t do. Live performance is all about personality, having a laugh and making it fun - that’s the difference between an OK band and a good one – personality.

I thought previous Live and Unsigned champions The Lottery Winners were fantastic as the lead singer just went for it – interacting with the audience is brilliant and brings the music alive.

Listening to new music on the radio, with programmes such as BBC Introducing is really great – in fact it’s essential. What Live and Unsigned adds to this is the opportunity to see bands perform live at the very beginning – it’s is brilliant for fans and bands to get out there and be seen.

Tom can be found on Radio One every Sunday between 7-9pm and will be judging the Live and Unsigned 2011 Grand Final at the O2 in London.

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