The Essential List: Tom Pugh
Tom Pugh is creative sound designer at Grand Central Recording Studios.
Tom’s foray into sound started in his teens when he would install car stereos for friends and found a love for DJ’ing. During his time at the University of Southampton he produced the sound for hundreds of nights from student union parties to strip clubs.
His big break in post-production came when he created the sound design for the NSPCC’s Childline campaign 'It Follows Me Around,' a powerful piece of work that picked up many awards, including two gold British Arrows and a Cannes Lion, and propelled Tom onto the international stage. Since then, Tom’s career has gone from strength to strength, working with brands such as EA Games, Mercedes, Warburtons, Amazon and Sky Cinema on various TV, cinema and online/social campaigns.
When Tom isn't in the studio he can be found riding his bicycle to Istanbul, all 4,500km of it, recording atmospheres on the way.
Lifestyle
o Place of birth: Camden, London
o Hometown: London
o Staycation: Southwold
o Vacation: Nepal
o Pet: Arnie the goldfish
o Place of work: GCRS
o Place of workout: YMCA
o Side project: Renovation
o Mode of transport: Road Bike
o Bonus travel essential: Tea
Culture
o Artist: Rodin
o Musician: Prince
o Commercials / music video director: Tom Kuntz/Jake Nava
o Film director: Taika Waititi
o Photographer: Sebastiao Salgado
o Film: Shawshank
o Series: Sopranos
o Commercial: Guinness Surfer
o Music video: Kano Trouble & Class Of Deja (full version)
o Video game: Grand Theft Auto
o Board game: Jenga
o Book: The Autobiography of Malcom X
o Graphic novel: Never read one
o Podcast: No Such Thing As A Fish
o Newspaper (off or online): Evening Standard (when I get the tube)
o Magazine: Cycling Weekly
o Bonus culture essential: River Lea Canal
Food and Drink
o Breakfast: Avocado
o Restaurant: Cornerstone
o Cheap bite: Nandos
o Working lunch: Ivy
o Favourite dish: Roast
o Signature dish: Roast
o Snack: Roast
o Guilty pleasure: Chocolate Digestives
o Bar: Leyton Star
o Booze: Pint
o Not booze: San Pellegrino
o Bonus food: Leon Brekkie
o Bonus beverage: Dark and Stormy
Kit
o Phone: iPhone
o Computer: Macbook Pro
o TV: LG OLED
o Headphones: Jabra Elite non studio, DT 1770’s in studio
o Camera: Go Pro Black
o Soundsystem: Sonos
o Pen / pencil: Biro
o Where you document an idea: Voice Memo
o Casual clothing: Carhartt
o Smart clothing: ASOS when needed
o Footwear: Adidas 4Ds
o Watch: Casio Pro Trek
o Collection: Bikes
o App: Google maps
o Website: BBC Football Gossip
o Favourite social media feed: Insta
o Work program: Pro Tools
o Digital work tool: Zoom
o Analogue work tool: Neuman U87 Microphone
o Morning grooming / makeup essential: Vaseline
o Bonus kit essential: Rode iXY for being able to record spur of the moment.
