For many bands being paid is the most pressing aspect of music at the moment.

This plight was highlighted recently by DJ Hammy, who lamented on Facebook that so many musicians were doing DJ sets to supplement their earnings, that maybe he should form a band.

However, films might be a better option for the Soul Cellar DJ and Hammy’s knowledge of the past 40 years of pop makes him an ideal font of knowledge for film-makers.

Or he could go in the same direction as Tom Ashford and compose film scores.

Tom was in a band but, as he told me, “my passion for writing music with strong melodies and themes, made switching from live performance to composing for film the natural choice.”

And he really has got the gift for it: the music on his website sounds like it came straight off a soundtrack.

From action to thriller, cartoons to fantasy, Tom has it covered and one of my favourites is The Twisted Woods from his horror collection.

But as this is music waiting for a film I asked Tom for the source for his inspiration: “I guess I just write what comes naturally and try to create music that complements that image in my head.”

Tom cites John Williams as major influence but, at the age of 21, there is already enough of “Tom” in his music for me to suggest that he’ll be inspiring others in years to come.

Hear it at tomashford.co.u