Hi Mein Freunds across the planet, I want you to see this new very special video of mine for “Heavy Balloon” from the Two Moons album I put out last year. I wanted first to point out the exquisite animation by artist and friend Athena Hahn who worked for countless hours on this beautiful masterpiece! She really got inside the song in a compassionate way. Then my wonderful musician friends who helped me record it and bring it to life in the studio: David Immergluck, Michael Iveson, Jon Button and Zac Baird; Recorded by John Would and mastered by Doug Sax.

Heavy Balloon – Tom Freund

I also wanted to take a moment and tell you a little what the song meant for me and how I wrote it. My wonderful mom, Barbro Hellstrom – originally of Sweden – passed on a couple of years ago and she has been on my mind and in the air everyday since. I found myself while mourning her, talking to her and also saying to myself, “I won’t lay down my heart” – life takes us to the edge and lifts us up and drops us down and tears at us and shines brightly on us as well, all of these things (sometimes even in one day!). I found myself composing with a guitar to get through the grieving and just try and channel some real-life music. It also brought up my own thoughts about life and after-life and how much i enjoy the daily things here on this planet and how I still wana “play ball.” I guess the words “Heavy Balloon” came to me as the floating feeling I was having between the two worlds.

Love and Light, T

For me, today’s anniversary highlights the love, appreciation and admiration I hold for the city I grew up in and the people who make it so special.  I’ll never forget how I felt as I watched everything unravel on a TV in Venice Beach 14 years ago.  I wrote this song upon my first return to NYC, in an airplane, shortly after 9-11.  A few people have brought it up today so here it is, I hope it gives you some musical solace and/or time of reflection on this hallowed day.  Peace. T.

“Concessions” from album “Collapsible Plans”

Hi Fellas and Gals, what a treat to be making music for a living and for a giving . . The summer started out with a big bang of a musical weekend:

Thursday: Played at the dope Fingerprints Record Store in Long Beach where we had a great crowd and people bought up Vinyl as well as CD’s, here i am with bandmate Chris Joyner  

Then on Friday, a killer set at our hometown Venice Spot The Del Monte Speakeasy   – photos online at instagram

and Then on Saturday rocked The Claremont Folk Festival with Special Guest Ben Harper 

Here’s a video of “Collapsible Plans” at Claremont Folk Festival (kids Included) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EOXXIDisXow – it will lead you to others as well . .

A String Of Summer Shows (more TBA) in CA and NY:

Sunday 28 June 2015  McCabe’s

Santa Monica, CA, US

Saturday 04 July 2015  Palisades Charter High School

Los Angeles, CA, US

Wednesday 22 July 2015  The Crepe Place

Santa Cruz, CA, US

Saturday 25 July 2015  Doc’s Lab

San Francisco, CA, US

Thursday 30 July 2015  William R. Mason Regional Park

Irvine, CA, US   

Friday 07 August 2015  The Falcon

Marlboro, NY, US   

Hi, heading to the Post Office now to get my taxes in, but before I do . . .

Coast to Coast, this songs for you America! Thank you Paul Simon for penning one of the finest songs ever written. Have a blessed day.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B4Bqi7cIMiI

*This concludes the PledgeMusic covers for #‎TwoMoons You All picked for me – Special thanks to Sergio Villegas for choosing this song – he said he heard me do a version in NYC not long after 911. Peace, T

Miss Liberty photo by William Warby and Uke Shot by Jos Kafoe