Tom Bolton: guitar and vocals
Richard Grace: double bass
Influences
The Seekers, REM, Joni Mitchell, Bruce Cockburn, Radiohead, The Mamas and the Papas, Howard Jones, Neil Young, Sinead O'Connor, The Moody Blues, David Sylvian, Happy Rhodes, YMO, Cat Stevens, Low... too many to mention
"...a sound that is distinctive, delicious and eminently listenable."
Jan Nary, (Brisbane)
"...a fine contemporary folk singer with great original songs." Nick Charles
Tom Bolton writes and plays sparkling mystical folk-acoustic music with crunch, drawing on an eclectic brew of folk, pop, roots and rock inspirations. Distinctive melodies and rhythms are woven through with well-crafted lyrics. A variety of influences shine out without obvious effort... hints of everything from Richie Havens, Jefferson Airplane and Nick Drake, through to David Sylvian and beyond. The result of more than thirty years of journeying into music is a solid collection of original work, first documented in the 2003 album “Acoustic Caravan”
In 2006, having played solo gigs for a number of years, he was joined onstage by Richard Grace. Tom’s soaring vocals and sparse acoustic guitar, accompanied by Richard’s deep-velvet double-bass and harmonies, have earned them a reputation as engaging performers at folk and acoustic venues around Australia.
“When I Cross the River” is Tom's second album, released November 2007. It was recorded and produced by Jeremy P Martin, with a diverse collection of musicians weaving a rich canvas of sounds around the core of vocals, acoustic guitar and acoustic double-bass. It has been attracting very positive reviews and getting regular airplay on independent radio in Australia, Europe, Canada and USA - including a listing in the Top 50 Australian albums (January - May 2008) on WRUW FM in Cleveland, Ohio.
"Darn good stuff. I am impressed. Lots better than that other Bolton...."
Radio Mike (Fevered Brain Radio - Austin, Texas)
"We really appreciated your songs, good humour and friendliness and hope that you'll be back to share more of your art with us... your songs are engaging and different, and a refreshing change"
Bob Molloy, The Hills Folk Club (Aldgate, SA)
"He won the hearts of his audiences with his gentle, quirky style of presentation and his offering of wonderful original music... a gifted song maker."
Anne Infante, Kookaburra Folk Club (Brisbane, Qld) www.anneinfante.com
His first album 'Acoustic Caravan' was released in 2003.
The second album "When I Cross The River" is out now!
"Rarely have I heard such dramatic heartfelt music, and it's tinged with a sense of spirituality that's invigorating"
Calvin Powers - Taproot Radio
When I Cross the River reviewed at Taproot Radio
Tom! Thanks for the add, mate! Sitting here listening to your music off Airplay Direct, hard to pick just 4 from the lot. Good stuff! Welcome to the family!
Hey Tom. Sorry I missed your gig at the Clifton hill hotel this week. I've been really sick so couldn't make it. Hope it was a good night and I'll get to another gig sooN!
Help me Tom!!!!! I can't stop listening to your CD. "Silver" gets me every time,you and Jeremy really captured some magic there. All the Best from Cres
hey great tracks here mate - very musical - peaceful lyrics - give us a holla if you would like word on gigs - cheers Tonchi ps. make sure you tie that slack wire proper :)
Hi Tom I'm trialing a new demo, 'Gratitude' on my page....recorded live in my loungeroom :) Would love you to stop by, have a listen and feel free to leave any comments, feedback etc of da music also, i'm living up in brunswick these days, so if your ever interested in lining up some gigs together, yell out! much love & bless
Thank You Tom for sending When I Cross The River...Have put "Silver", "Little Star", "Three Hearts", "Hold The Sun",...n "Bisquits" on-air at ppr. Happy New Year! ~In Heart n Art~
hey tom good gig wednesday way back in 04 when i had that show in synergy i think you got a picture well i am sure of it but, i dont remember who it was of? was it mandy?
Lovely to meet you too! Glad you enjoyed my set the other week. Kath Triangle is a great asset! Your music is wonderful as is your voice. 'Silver' is my favourite. Beautiful.
Nice to catch up briefly the other day. My gruesome looking finger was apparently healing perfectly and now its even better - only not so scary. Don't think i'll make to tonight's gig, but have a goody and say g'day to Rich for me.
Enjoyed playing in Woollongong with you,Tom. Someone is Brisbane reckons we ought to do a QLD tour together with another Melbournian sometime... hmm... what say you, I wonder...
thanks for accepting. Marika is helping me with creating this thing. Very cool!!! Thanks for doing a stage manager next Sunday. Hope your CD and preparation for the exhibition is going well! many thanks, kaz
Hi Tom, great to have you as a friend. Was nice to meet you at The Shack. We all enjoyed your set. Will try and catch up when we are down in Melb in Sept. Cheers, Trev
Hey Tom. Was just checking in to see when you were playing, thought I might get along to a gig, but it seems that you're away travelling for a while! Hope you're having a great time away, catch you when you're back in Melbourne.
hi Tom - must be wonderful to be travelling and performing. hope you have a wonderful time playing all those places! Love your new ID photo.
blessings, rosie haden
Hey Tom. Not sure how you found the nerd version of me, but yay! Loved your stuff tonight. You're a very talented man! Looking forward to catching some more of your music! Catch ya round.
Meags
P.S. Some shameless self promotion! Rate my tracks @ http://www.triplejunearthed.com/Milae
Thanks for the comments. I am working on the final version of Rising Water it as I type this. We've just layed down the new bassline and the vocals track has been done too. Hopefully you like the new version when it's posted up on myspace. I'll keep you posted. BTW those acoustic players from the other night were off the planet - I haven't seen that many high quality acts/players in one room in a long time (inc you!).
I know this is self referential, but this is the music business after all, J'2'da'eremy in da hause, but I was pretty impressed by myself using predisposition as a lyric in such a way that the song would be less without it, yes I would be less than I am, rather than just getting it in their for effect, the right word in the right situation, word up.
