Tom Brislin and I go way back – so way back that he knew me back in a day before Twitter existed, blogging was a thing, and I still thought I was uber cool to have…wait for it…a neon-pink beeper. But one consistant has always been that I am huge fan of his work.
I met Tom over a decade ago, when he was fronting the New Jersey band Spiraling. He’s since relocated to Nashville, where he’s been recording his debut solo album Hurry Up and Smell the Roses, and features guest appearances by guitarist/songwriter Clint Lagerberg, vocalist Annie Haslam of Renaissance, and Theremin synthesist Shueh-li Ong.
There’s a whole lot of soul-searching and introspection that goes into this album – and Tom one on one with his piano (if you are not familiar, he’s pretty much fantastic). At a time when a lot of us are trying so hard to look within and become something greater and better and bigger, this entire album will touch us — and maybe inspire us to start something new ourselves. And despite the great spanse of depth and purpose, at the same time, it feels incredibly intimate.
I’ve always found Tom on his piano pretty darn hypnotic, and I know you will too…so much that if you read to the end, I have a fabulous giveaway for you! (And if you stay tuned to me on Twitter, I’ll be sharing my full-length review of it very soon on my own site!) But first, just so you get to know him a bit better, here’s a quick Q&A!
What was your first beloved album? First concert?
First album was Men at Work – Business as Usual. Still love it. First concert I really remember going to was The Monkees on one of their reunion tours.
On a desert island with one type of technology – what is it?
A satellite phone, to call for rescue!
Same island, you have one food there. What do you choose?
Probably some Indian dish.
Drinks with one artist, living or dead…who do you choose?
I had trouble with this one. Most artists I admire have given me more with their art than a conversation could. I keep coming back to inventors, like Nikola Tesla.
What’s your TV/movie/book guilty pleasure that you want no one to know about? (That you’ll tell all of us!)
I feel guilty whenever I watch any TV. It’s so easy to get sucked in, when I know there’s art to be created.
Follow both @TomBrislin and @AlyWalansky on Twitter and RT his CD release announcement tweet. Like him on Facebook or sign up for the mailing list on his web site (which gets you a free song!) —
Bonus: One reader is going to win Tom’s new album! To enter to win your copy, enter through Rafflecopter, deadline to enter, November 7. Good luck!
Do you have a giveaway on your site? Link up with US!!
I listen to easy listening, country and pop music. I occasionally like to do a throwback station every now and then!
I’m not particularly dedicated to one specific type of music, but I am drawn to neosoul more times than none. But I enjoy all kinds of music.