Furstwurld Presents TOM FREUND & FRIENDS November 2022
What critics think about Tom Freund:
“Fans of roots-oriented artists such as Tom Petty, Townes Van Zandt, and Lucinda Williams will find much to explore on Tom Freund’s ‘East of Lincoln.’”– The Los Angeles Times
“Every year the mounting landfill of new releases that threatens to bury the working music journalists yields a few unexpected gems, and Tom Freund is one of them.” – The New York Times
“Freund clearly delights in enigma. His vocals could go from laconic to impassioned without such obvious trickery as cranking up the volume. His lyrics are full of curve balls.” – The Washington Post
“California-based troubadour Tom Freund sings of skate-boarding kids, impending doom and Happy Days lunch boxes on his album, ‘Two Moons.’”– NPR Weekend Edition
“If you want to hear what California feels like, Tom Freund’s new album is a good place to start.” – Acoustic Guitar Magazine
“I get shivers down my spine on almost every tune. Along with Lucinda Williams, Freund is the best singer/songwriter operating today.” – Graham Parker
If that’s not enough to get you on the Eventbrite link to buy tickets, check this out.
Over the course of his career, singer/songwriter and Americana artist, Tom Freund, has released over a dozen records, collaborated with legends such as Elvis Costello and Jackson Browne, pulled a half-decade stint on bass for alt-country pioneers The Silos, and has shared bills with everyone from Matthew Sweet to Guided by Voices. Freund’s latest album, The Year I Spent in Space, recounts the time lost to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Tom Freund has spent much of his time traversing genres, melding whatever sounds have happened to catch his whimsy with his unmistakable, earthbound songwriting. Back in high school, Freund played bass in the jazz ensemble and performed in theatre productions such as Swing (Elizabeth Swados). A few years later, he enjoyed a brief stint in the off-Broadway scene and took classes at Columbia University in New York, later transferring to Pitzer College in Claremont, CA. But when music came knocking again, Freund answered.
His very first album was 1992’s Pleasure and Pain, a duo set with Ben Harper. “I’ve known Tom longer now than I haven’t known him, and that’s long,” states Harper. “To have a friend to walk through the world with is rare and something I hold most dear. Something I cherish more each passing day. Hey Tom, let’s do another 30.”
For the next five years after Pleasure and Pain, Tom toured and recorded with The Silos before releasing North American Long Weekend, his 1998 solo debut on Red Ant/ Mercury Records. Moving ahead into the new millennium, Freund churned out several additional records while also assisting with projects from Mandy Moore, Rachael Yamagata, Graham Parker, and other notable artists. From a handful of EPs to his 2007 kids record, Hug Trees, and 2011’s The Edge of Venice, to his appearance playing alongside Graham Parker in the 2012 Judd Apatow comedy This is 40, Freund’s career has been a dynamic affair, and that includes plenty of work in film and television.
Tom Freund’s songs have been featured on series such as Better Things, Parenthood, One Tree Hill, Dawson’s Creek, and the Amazon show Pete The Cat, on which Freund co-wrote, sung, and played songs with Elvis Costello, KT Tunstall, Dave Matthews, Jason Mraz, and Diana Krall. Freund also co-wrote the show’s theme song with creator Swampy Marsh (Phineas and Ferb). Costello takes lead vocals on each episode’s opening theme with Freund handling backing vocals and most of the instruments. Freund also co-wrote and sang the show’s end-credits song, “Go Pete Go,” and even voiced a character, Papi, in the last season.
I don’t care who or how old you are, you’re going to want to be at Furstwurld November 12th.
