We recently connected with Thomas O’Brien and have shared our conversation below.

Thomas, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Are you happier as a creative? Do you sometimes think about what it would be like to just have a regular job? Can you talk to us about how you think through these emotions?

Ever since I was young I always knew that being a musician was a high paying job. Watching Woodstock on MTV I recognized that the world of the music industry could lead to the exulted position of performance artist. I’ve had a hobby of music making since I was about 16 when I started my first scene band in Norfolk, MA. It was epic, and rocky. And because I had seen other bands selling march at local shows – I knew it could be lucrative. I had many odd jobs growing up, from soccer referee to working at a local target with a bandmate. So, I knew that until i started making money as a musician – I was basically a heel for a corporate overseer. I was working for the man, when I wanted to be working for myself. I wanted to be designing t-shirts, playing sold out shows, selling albums, getting signed, and well – getting out of the home goods section position rugs and tea pots for point of purchase sale to the public. After a few years of mildly unsuccessful artistry: I toured the east coast in a pop punk band and played on the streets of Boston (where upon licensure once accrued a total of 34.00 dollars, I realized that the music industry is deceptively difficult to enter and in which one can succeed. I realized that…if Target was paying for me to get to band practice – it was almost like an artistic venture in itself. I could dream about music while working. I could conjure songs and I could even air guitar. No matter how much I realized a corporate position was the likely future for me – Still i dreamed. I became a local journalist and am now a videographer/editor for a local tv station – but i have been producing more solo music than ever. I’ve been purchasing instruments and immediately fitting them in my mix. Basses/ violent. And while I continue my professional career as cameraperson – Music is in my head most of the time. My friends and I share music we produce and critique readily. When I realized I was not going to be a success in the music industry – I relaxed a bit and focused on what I CAN change: producing a professional musical product thats both objectively pleasing to the ear and subjectively satisfyingly creative and a story worth telling. Though even when I work at my job…I still dream of making it in the industry. And probably always will do.

Thomas, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

my name is Tom O’Brien I am from Norfolk, Ma and I am a videographer and Musical Artist.
I am currently the sole member of the band The Fountainesse and its side project: The Lightning Strike Society.
I run the band from my personal studio in Norfolk and have produced roughly 17 albums in nearly a year and a half.

I am looking to expand to recording demoes for local musicians.

I am a solo producer meaning: I play all the instruments on my albums including vocals and song writing. Basically everything that you hear on thefountainesse.bandcamp.com comes from experience in the music industry as a touring musician in Far From Distant.

I produce music videos for myself which range from full narrative story lines – to simple lyric videos or artwork and music./

I am an aries. A twin. and my birthday is on April Fools Day. I am now 32.

I play a mexican telecaster guitar from the 90’s with custom OC Duff pickups which was a gift from my guitar collecting uncle. I recently bought a semi-hollow Fender Squire Starcaster which I am waiting to fully realize.

My bands can be found at
TheFountainesse.Bandcamp.com
TheLightningStrikeSociety.com

I write, produce, and record, and publish all my music myself. Im a solo artist.

I call the bands “side projects” because I hope to one day form a band of well…other people. and i think my talent as a producer will only aid me in my future endeavors.

funny enough – I use GARAGE BAND and not logic or protools because its the DAW that was offered to me with my macbook. I find it both ingratiatingly simple to use if not also limited in ways I am trying to determine. I work with what I can do.

I have been known to frequent a local open mic night (pre coivid) where I play covers on an acoustic guitar and sing.
I think the last song I played was a Paul McCartney song “Yesterday” and i was amazed i remembered the lyrics after only playing it for a few days. lovely song though.

Let me emphasize that my only really draw is that produce and write all my own music from the guitars – to drums – and vocals. Its all me. Its an odd situation because I am the editor as well. If something is right – its because of me! if something is off – its my fault too. Some would call this a double edged sword.

I am hoping to produce a really great album in the future and get signed to a small label, form a band and succeed in the industry.

Is there mission driving your creative journey?

I have a precocious need to use my music to impress my parents. My most valued critiques come from my parents and my best compliments come from there as well. They raised me listening to bands like The Supremes and Dire Straits with a love for the oldies. A lot of the harmony I write for myself come from people like Fontella Bass or The Four Seasons. I would be quick to say I’m in no way as talented as them but there are things from which I draw inspiration. Im just as likely to draw inspiration from hardcore or post rock bands in terms of guitar tones but I really take my vocal tones from older bands from the past. My dad is a poet who claims he once read with Allen Ginsburg in the 60’s whom he claims “didn’t like him.” I hope to produce some music with my father’s lyrics. He sometimes critiques my singing and thinks my voice seems to be my most valued asset and also my worst enemy. My Dad shifts from loving to critical in an instant.

In your view, what can society to do to best support artists, creatives and a thriving creative ecosystem?

The best thing society can do is to connect artists together with other artists. Open up channels for progress. To gain new listeners – to contact venues. This can allow bands to work together and book shows and also work to become signed my labels and imprints in the hopes of furthering outreach to listeners. On the other hand, constructive criticism might be a more valuable asset in this world of creativity. We are all artists trying to express ourselves. Thusly, we must know if there is “connection” between the artist and the viewer/listener/reader. This is not essential but i’d be surprised if there was less artists who “don’t care” about their outreach and artists who take in seriously. We all want to be validated. But some more than others. Likewise, I am on a personal journey – but I’d like to enact some change as well. Communication between artists – listeners – labels – venues – all of that business would be excellent if it was easier to do.

Contact Info:

• Website: thefountainesse.bandcamp.com
• Instagram: tom2theob
• Youtube: The Fountainesse
• Other: Thanks! This was fun

Image Credits
All these images were taken with my iPhone