Tom Vek is developing a digital music player that redefines nostalgia.

Tom Vek made a splash in 2005 with his debut album, We Have Sound, which earned a respectable 7.6 from the critics of the time. His infectious blend of danceable indietronica led to a feature on The OC and a spot on the Grand Theft Auto IV soundtrack. After a lengthy wait, his sophomore effort, Leisure Seizure, dropped in 2011, achieving similar acclaim and hitting No. 79 on the UK charts.

Over the past 15 years, Vek has consistently released music, with his latest album, Newer Symbols, arriving in 2022. In 2020, he began exploring a concept for a music player called Sleevenote, inspired by the aesthetics of vinyl packaging. His goal was to infuse the beauty of cover art and liner notes into the digital music experience. However, sourcing components like square screens proved challenging, and the initial prototype was quite bulky—about the size of a 7-inch single but thicker and heavier.

Now, Vek has unveiled a new, more compact version of Sleevenote that’s also more affordable and available for a limited time. The last few Day One Editions can be snagged for $349. As he shifts focus to the next phase of his media player venture, he shared insights about his must-have tools, passions, and pet peeves as a musician-turned-entrepreneur.

What is your most indispensable tool (analog or digital, app or hardware)?
While I’d love to say my GMT wristwatch, given my communication with friends in Seattle and my passion for watches, the real MVP is my MacBook. Whether I’m designing UI, creating graphics, retouching photos, or making videos, it’s essential for brainstorming and refining ideas. It’s like the motorbike for my mind—I need to visualize concepts to gauge my interest. I’m quite particular about the industrial design of my tech, and I’m a big fan of the current “M” MacBooks; Apple had a rough patch for a while.

How many tabs do you have open right now?
I catch a lot of flak from Sleevenote co-founder Chris about my tab situation, which spans multiple Chrome profiles. Sometimes the tabs get so narrow that I have to rely on favicons to remember what they are. I like to revisit things and keep a lineup of frequently used sites handy. It helps me keep track of all the social apps where I need to share my latest Sleevenote graphic.

Which tech trend do you wish would go away?
I might sound a bit salty, but I’m not a fan of the trend for retro-style CD and cassette players. While it’s great that people are seeking offline music experiences, I want to see fresh ideas. I’m particularly interested in innovations that promote digital music purchasing, as it’s far more beneficial for artists than buying second-hand CDs. I hope the next generation doesn’t get stuck in a retro loop or a cycle dominated by big tech. I want to see thoughtfully designed indie tech that couldn’t have existed before. Plus, I remember cassettes, and they sound terrible.

What is one thing you wish you had created?
I’ll answer this with a song: three years after my debut album, when I should have been working on my second, I heard “Jump In The Pool” by Friendly Fires, which features one of the most incredible synth solos ever. I would have loved to create that track, especially since I had a memorable moment of being pushed into a pool fully clothed around that time and didn’t even think to write a song about it.

What is your current obsession?
I’ve been obsessed for a while with carports in architecture. I’m a car enthusiast, particularly drawn to the visual aspects rather than performance or racing. My true passion lies in the design of automobiles as an emotive expression of movement. The ideal home for me showcases cars, not hiding them away in a garage, but protecting them under a carport. I’m fascinated by mid-century desert architecture that seamlessly integrates cars into the home’s design. Even in the rainy UK, having a way to get in and out of your car without getting wet would bring me so much joy.

What’s the last piece of physical media you bought?
I’m a big fan of fiction books and love a good paperback. I recently picked up a book called The Cowards, drawn in by its cover. After finishing a bunch of Steinbeck, I was looking for something new. It’s amusing that I often describe Sleevenote as a “Kindle for music,” yet I’ve never been keen on the idea of digital books. Most people read one book at a time, but having all your music accessible at once makes a strong case for digitizing a collection.

What do you think is worth splurging on?
Digital music downloads are definitely worth the investment. We’ve been led to believe there’s no value in buying digital, but it’s clear that purchasing music digitally is the best way to support artists. It provides fans with offline access to great art, encouraging us to spend time with a curated selection of music, which is beneficial for our minds and souls. I want Sleevenote to facilitate this.

What would the tagline for your biopic be?
If I had to sum up my work, I’d go with “Nothing But Green Lights,” the title of one of my songs, which also reflects my approach to other projects. It’s a good mindset, even if it’s not always easy, to believe that nothing stands in the way of reaching your goals.

What’s the last GIF or meme you used?