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, 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

Doug Sax a true hero of sound and mind. I met him first when he mastered my duo record with Ben Harper some 22 years ago at #themasteringlab in Hlwd and then I returned with my latest #TwoMoons this past year in Ojai. It felt full circle to say the least. First thing I did when I walked in the door was have this master mind and gentle (and very humorous) man sign this album of ours #PleasureAndPain from back in the day. He was welcoming, gracious and his ears as tuned up as ever. He mastered some of my all time favorite and most influential records – please look him up. We will miss him incredibly but his Spirit and the music he touched will Live On Forever. Thanks for ALL THE MUSIC. Godbless and godspeed Doug.