Dave Matthews Band, Ben Folds, David Gray, Seal, Jude, Joss Stone, Ben Harper, Jack Johnson, The Beatles, Damien Rice, Maroon 5, Nick Drake, Kyle Riabko, Alexi Murdoch, Teitur....
Tom grew up in Kenosha, Wisconsin. He spent his childhood in the gym with his gymnast parents and brothers, but switched to wresting in junior high—a better outlet for some serious teenage aggression—and stuck with it through college.
Music was another, more enduring passion. His mom bought him a guitar as a high-school graduation present, and he quickly taught himself to play. Inspired by Dave Matthews and David Gray, he soon started writing songs of his own.
Through it all, Tom felt a strong spiritual calling. While at the University of Central Missouri, studying to become a teacher, Tom decided that he was meant to be a priest instead. He moved to Washington, DC in 2004 to enter Catholic seminary. It didn’t go as planned and, disillusioned by the institution in which he had placed his faith, he chose to abandon religious training—but not his quest.
Back in secular life, Tom sought new ways to work toward social justice, the issue that had led him to the church in the first place. He took a job running a breakfast program for the homeless. He began to build a life with his partner Mike. And he channeled his message of love, hope and reconciliation through his music.
Don’t expect hymns. Tom offers up dynamic acoustic rock featuring muscular guitar, hooky melodies and a uniquely powerful voice. If the 26-year-old has any patron saints, they are Jack Johnson, Damien Rice, Ben Folds, and Joss Stone.
Since April 2006, when he released his self-produced debut, Naked Without, Tom has played scores of coffeehouses, bars, gay pride festivals and other events—honing his skills along the way. With the January 2008 release of his second CD, Rise, Tom demonstrates just how far he’s come. The six songs showcase his stylistic flexibility, from the urgent growl of “Morning Sun” to the sweet and unadorned “King of Something Right.”
Across Tom’s songs echo themes of rebirth and renewal, of love and loss and what lies beyond. It’s a playlist for anyone on a journey from darkness to light.
Tom just completed his first music video, for the title track on Rise. (Watch it at www.tomgossmusic.com or www.youtube.com/tomgossmusic.)
Tom Goss has finally found the sound he deserves. "Rise", his second release, was recorded and produced by veteran Jim Dugan and the two have managed to create one of the best independent releases out of the D.C. area in 2008. For anyone who hasn't seen him live, Tom plays infectious acoustic rock with sometimes blistering riffs and melodies that elicit toe tapping and head bobbing. The opening track, "Morning Sun", establishes the groove with a tasty saxophone and gives the Tom Goss fan what they have always wanted, a drummer behind him to support the groves his songs deliver. Track 2, "Rise" is perhaps the best track on the record and gives you a glimpse of his skill with his guitar and songwriting. Messages of self-awareness and an appreciation of life permeate the tracks including, what can only be a deeply personal confession, in "A Thousand Times Before". Guitar players will be thoroughly impressed by the dizzying riff in "Bed of Clouds". Lastly, Tom surrenders one of his most beautiful songs, "King of Something Right" to producer Jim Dugan who manages to elevate a near perfect song even higher with veteran musicians and the best arrangement on the record. Tom Goss is a professional musician and performer, touring the nation and playing prolifically in the greater D.C. area. "Rise" is easily one of the best releases this year and a great introduction to a man who has a lot to say and a wonderful way to say it.
Every now and then you are forced to dig. To go deeper than you once knew you could, to pull out emotions you scarcely knew you had. Once there you dabble in the reality of what it means to be alive, then re-surface, more afraid then ever to go to that place, where emotion is raw and truth ever present. Michael Yugo lives in that place. We are all better for it.
What Dreams May Come opens softly with a plucked guitar, setting the scene for what will be a delicate entrance and begins the submerge into a mere glimpse of Yugo’s life. By the fourth line (“When was the last time, that I touched your face?”), you will be in love with a voice that carries time, and experience, on its shoulders.
Stand out tracks include I Choose & Could Be, tender declarations of love, and the sacrifices we make to follow it, What I’ve Learned, a Dylanesque warning to those of us standing on the sidelines of life and Heaven’s Hand an adaptation of John 15: 9 -17 urging us to acknowledge that there is peace, truth and most especially love behind what we are seeking.
However, the truest gem on this album is a song worthy of a separate mention. Delaware Place is a song about growing up, friends & family, love & loss, failure, hope and most especially, home. Musically it is sparse, open just enough to let the listener slide into Yugo’s life, if only for a brief moment. Once there, you will hope to never leave.
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