Once Upon a Time . . .
tom + t.j.
I
have always maintained that there are a lot fewer things tried than are
possible.
So,
after writing songs for over ten years, I worked up the nerve to perform a
short set of original material at a coffee shop in my Dupont Circle
neighborhood in February of 1995. This one night stand has turned into a two
year odyssey of performing, recording, and learning.
What
do I enjoy most about performing?
I
guess there are two things. First, performing allows me to meet other people
who share a love for music that is simple, honest, and heartfelt. Along with
meeting people who enjoy listening to my music, I have met a number of
performers - singers, songwriters, poets - that, by day are office rats like
me, but at night turn into artists. I truly believe that some of the best songs
and poems ever written have never been recorded or published.
Second,
for me, performing is a family affair. T.J. is my sound man and roadie, reads
his poetry at our open mics, and has even written the lyrics to one of my
songs.
The
release of my first recording.
In
December of 1995, I released a collection of ten of original songs, entitled
Forbidden Art. The title cut of this tape is a
tribute to Robert Mapplethorpe, who still plays the role of America's favorite
scapegoat. Other tracks include Sweet Michael O'Dell
(based on a poem by TJ) which chronicles the tragedy of suicide among gay
teens, a lament called Metaphorically Love, and
the tender lullaby One Last Song.
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