"Strong melodies that have ‘accomplished songwriter’ stamped through them."
– NORDIC MUSIC CENTRAL
"Heartfelt music and irresistible hooks."
– BORED CITY
"Power-pop exponent who should be way more better known than he currently is."
– BALLROOM BLITZ'S MAN AT THE BACK
"It's clear that Tom Tikka isn't merely crafting albums; he seems to be writing greatest hits albums."
– THE BIG TAKEOVER
"He's got charisma that I can't get enough of, and if you check out his new record, you're going to see exactly what I'm talking about."
– VENTS MAGAZINE
"I don’t normally use the word genius for many musicians, however the cap fits with Tom Tikka."
– TUNEDLOUD
”Unmatched performance panache.”
– PLASTIC MAGAZINE
"What Tikka and his crew have managed to craft is a compelling musical narrative that transcends its own form, delving into what it means to live, love, and ponder the very essence of existence."
– TJPL NEWS MAGAZINE
Tom Tikka picked up the guitar at the tender age of six after hearing Paul Anka’s “Lonely Boy” in his father’s old Chevrolet. Soon afterwards, he began writing songs. Tom’s infatuation with music only deepened after his uncle Timo "Oippa" Oinonen introduced him to the concept of lead guitar and even more importantly to the music of such legendary groups as The Beatles and The Doors.
Tikka formed almost as many groups as he disbanded in his late teens and early twenties. Yet, when he finally signed his first recording contract on his 21st birthday, it was a solo deal and not a band effort. He recorded a three-song EP for Olarin Musiikki, a small indie label in Espoo (Finland), under the alias of Tom Spark. Unfortunately, the EP disappeared as quickly as it was released. Consequently, Tikka found himself in square one, without a band or a record deal.
Disappointed, Tom withdrew from music for a few years but began writing songs again once his brother Lappe Holopainen suggested that they form a songwriting team. Lappe had founded a group he was convinced would go far and he needed tunes for his new outfit. This group was Carmen Gray.
Carmen Gray was signed to Sony/BMG in 2005 and during the next nine years, they went on to record three albums and one EP. The group's entire catalog (including such radio hits as “Lost In My Mind Again”, “Gates Of Loneliness” & “Life Can Be Beautiful”) was penned by Tom Tikka & Lappe Holopainen.
After Carmen Gray disbanded in 2013, Tikka formed The Impersonators with poet Antti Autio. In 2017, The Impersonators signed with FBP, a German label based out of Frankfurt and released one album Life Of Grant to considerable amount of radio attention and critical success.
In April 2020, Tom began his solo career and has since released three critically-acclaimed albums and six Top 10 hits, two of which, "Doormat" and "With Eyes Closed", claimed the coveted #1 spot. His recent collaboration with the British group WILLJACK gave Tom his first transatlantic hit! Their song "Overnight Sensation" reached #3 on the Canadian Rock Chart and #51 in the UK Rock Chart.
Tikka has been featured on Huffington's Thrive Global, Authority Magazine, Melody Maker Magazine, Ballroom Blitz, The Hollywood Digest, VENTS Magazine and many others, while his music videos have won at film festivals around the world. Tikka is also a two-time ISSA Award winner as well as a Josie Music Awards and Hollywood Music in Media Awards nominee.
In addition to his career in music, Tikka is also an author. His debut novel titled Perfect Reflections, came out on February 15, 2023. Partly based on his father's merchant-marine diaries, this book is an adventure thriller cum detective story that is full of unexpected twists and turns. Through trackbacks and flashforwards it takes the reader through time and space to the sources of dark secrets and scars that plague the life of its protagonist, Tom Sundell.
