Tuesday nights are really not my ideal going out night, but Tuesday’s with Tom Freund at The Stronghold in Venice is tempting enough to get me out. Especially when it’s his new EP release party. Opening acts for Tom included Shane Alexander and Chris Joyner, two amazing singer/songwriters in their own right. But I was there for Tom, my favorite male vocalist, a guy I’ve been following for a couple years now, and who hit the jackpot with his new release, FIT TO SCREEN. Independent singer/songwriters are hard to find, if you are looking at the big box stores. But they are everywhere, when you look local, and you have the patience to find a gem. Tom is one of these treasures. His soulful voice, amazing talent, and group of friends he rocks with makes you feel good. The venue was awesome. The Stronghold, by day sells jeans on Abbot Kinney in Venice, by night, the upstairs loft turns into a listening room for great local performers.

There is one thing about the evening that disappointed me. REALLY disappointed me. The crowd was loud. Not in a “yay Tom, we love you!” sort of way. In an obnoxious “I won’t stop chatting even when the musicians are playing their hearts out” sort of way. Truly Mellow Tom politely asked the peeps to chill, to no avail. Pet peeve here…if you are going to see talent at a small venue such as The Stronghold, pay respect to the artists! Being steps away in an intimate setting is special! It made me angry to listen to the girls giggling behind me, and my husband wasn’t thrilled with the guy leaning across his body to talk to the girl on the couch next to him. I have to say, Tom was polite. He could have yelled at them, like the band Mars Volta did. But he stayed cool, and played amazingly all night. Kudos, Tom! Rock on!

Tom Freund
@ Zoey’s Café, Ventura CA

Tom Freund plays -photo by Debbie MilleIf you are looking for an escape from suburbia, look no further than your CD player and your mind-play. Tom Freund, native New Yorker turned Venice-beach dweller, can give you the escape you are looking for and then some.

I heard Freund in Santa Monica for the first time, and enjoyed the music and camaraderie he shared on stage with Jackson Browne and Brett Dennen. I’ve also appreciated Freund’s talents during the morning commute to school with my kids, but I fell in love with Tom’s sound and lyrics after listening to him at Zoey’s Café in Ventura. Of course, it didn’t hurt that he took time out for a post-performance discussion over some good wine.

Freund describes his music as “real.” I second that. He sings about things that make you want to sing. And think. Song titles from his latest album, “ Collapsible Plans” include this self-titled single, with lyrics “sugar don’t get no sweeter than this,” really don’t.

“Why Wyoming” makes you, indeed, wonder why. And Freund tells me the story behind the song, which is unbelievably beautiful in the lyrics, and tragic in reality.
Freund’s first tour in 1994 led him to Wyoming with a group of musicians, including singer Manny Verzosa, 30, who had just signed to Epic Records and wanted to get out of L.A. for a bit. Ten days into the tour, while in route to Verzosa’s hometown, Portland, Maine, their van hit a patch of ice, and Verzosa was killed after being ejected from the van. Freund’s ability to put poetic words to music that makes you want to sing with him and experience what he’s feeling, is something quite special.

Freund also caters to the kids, with his CD entitled, Hug Trees, which brings his organic jazz and rootsy vibe to the younger generation for the first time. – Debbie Miller

Click here for Tom Freund’s website.

Check out Zoey’s calendar for more live music.