EX50 - Governor Tom - From Acting to Music - An Honest Mix of Indy, Folk, Jazz and Blues | The Add To My Playlist Podcast

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Episode description

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Episode description

EX50 - Governor Tom - From Acting to Music - An Honest Mix of Indy, Folk, Jazz and Blues

GOVERNOR TOM - a singer-songwriter whose dynamic indie-folk, genre-bending style weaves truthiness and wit with unapologetic poignancy - is a pseudonym of ⁠Tom Wood⁠, a musician-writer-actor who has co-starred in such films as The Fugitive, U.S. Marshals, Under Siege and Ulee's Gold.

Currently, Tom has pursued his most revered goal of creating projects from scratch and distributing them to a worldwide audience.

As Governor Tom, he brings songs of love and pain from a ⁠tale⁠ of music, money, family and politics.

Singer-Songwriter Governor Tom's dynamic indie-folk, genre-bending style weaves truthiness and wit with unapologetic poignanc RELEASE OF "PUBLIC EYE"

After the release of his naughty blues track “Architect of Love,” Governor Tom is back with “Public Eye,” the final track to be released as a single from his upcoming EP. Featuring two acoustic guitars, it introduces a grooving, pop/folk vibe. “That seems to be where my music is headed,” says Tom Wood, the creator of Governor Tom. “Public Eye” is an ode to the challenges of being a young starlet, “Any one of a tragic dozen,” Tom adds. “I believe it also reflects on what’s happening to many young girls’ mental health nowadays.”

Tom is a multi-talented actor, writer, musician, and producer who co-starred in The Fugitive, U.S. Marshals, Under Siege, and more. He took a sabbatical from auditioning to fulfill a commitment to himself to create original works. After countless screenplays and a few development deals, nothing remained realized until 2020 when, as Governor Tom, he released his first single “A Man with a Hat,” followed in 2021 by the liberating, upbeat “Living Wild,” which was particularly well-received in the U.K.

Music was always there for Tom, constantly challenging him to build and grow—learning piano from his grandmother, neighborhood “concerts” singing covers, teaching himself guitar, and numerous professional musicals and revues. When he realized that modern technology would help him bring his original creations to life, Tom went all in.

One TV project that Tom has developed features the character of Governor Tom, who’s the front man of a once- famous, one-hit-wonder glam-rock band. To promote the project, Tom dedicated himself to brushing up his guitar skills. When he returned to the instrument, something had changed. All his screenwriting had grown a new muscle in him. Instead of playing covers, Tom immediately began writing song after song without restraint.

“There’s a level of honesty I’m searching for through Governor Tom—honesty in storytelling, communicating, and performing—that I believe will only be attained through performing my own creations. Music does not lie.”

“Public Eye” is about invasiveness. This invasiveness affects all of us—“regular” citizens are watched and monitored through “personal” devices. “It’s a world of unimagined scrutiny” and “worthless, vindictive mockery” state the lyrics of “Public Eye.” “It’s a none-too-subtle metaphor for the cruelty inflicted upon young girls through social media, and elsewhere, to serve the voyeurism of a culturally malnourished public,” Tom says.

Still, it makes for some beautiful music. “I’m so proud of this piece,” Tom concludes. “It’s the closest I’ve gotten so far to achieving the sound and style I’ve been working toward.”

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