We were lucky to catch up with Tom Dyer recently and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, Tom thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Can you talk to us about a project that’s meant a lot to you?

My most recent big project (in 2022) was “Olympia: A True Story” a 40-song, 3-CD boxed set telling the story of Olympia, Washington, the town where I grew up. It was done with my band The True Olympians (see below). I am now working on creating “Olympia: A True Story – The History Video Series”. The goal is to make at least 10 videos of songs from the album this year, illustrating the historical tale of each tune. Perhaps I will get to all 40 Olympia songs eventually, time will tell. Over the 4 years I was recording “Olympia”, I also recorded and released a solo album, “1+1=?“, which is musically my most sophisticated (weirdest) work.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

I was in wierdo rock bands in the early 80’s, bought some 4-track recording gear and started my record label, Green Monkey Records, in 1983. That led to a careeer in higher eduction, first as a audio teacher and ending as a school president in 2016. After a hiatis from 1991 to 2006, I restarted my label and have now put out over 200 releases on the label, with 17 albums by me, either as a solo artisit or with my bands. I have also put out 12 Christmas charity compilations of Pacific NW artists. My most recent big project in 2022 was “Olympia: A True Story” a 40-song, 3 CD boxed set telling the story of Olympia, Washington, the town where I grew up.

Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?

Completing the “Olympia” album was difficult. Just doing a 40-song album is a big project, but not long after being started in 2018, the pandemic came and that changed everything. When I began the project, I did not have a 40-song goal, I just wanted to do an album about Olympia. As the pandemic stretched, so did the album. My original plan was to track the album in a typical band fashion: write the songs, teach them to the band, rehearse, record basics, overdub, mix. That quickly fell apart as we could no longer be in the same room to practice. I use Pro Tools to record and had to figure out how to set up remote Pro Tools systems at the other band members’ houses which I could run remotely – they were not tech savvy. I had to begin all the songs as solo recording with a click track and then overdub all their parts remotely, including drums (I would always prefer to track drums live). Simultaneously, I was researching and writing the material, which had to be as historically accurate as possible. It was also my goal to have as many Olympia musicians as possible appear on the album. I ended up with over 100 Olympia musicians guesting, including the Olympia High School Concert Choir.
When Jan 1, 2022 arrived and Covid was slowing down. I told myself the project had to be completed that year and set a goal to complete the recording of the music by July 1. I finished mastering the last song, late in the day, on June 30. Then I still had to complete the research and writing, as well as obtain artwork, for the 80-page book that accompanied the 3-CD boxed set. It was important that the album notes (and the lyrics) were historically accurate – the entire project was submitted to the Olympia Historical Society for review and some revisions were made based on their suggestions. Finally, the album was completed and sent out to manufacture.
While I do not often perform publicly, I wanted to present the album live in Seattle, Portland OR and most importantly Olympia. I booked the historic Hotel Olympia Ballroom and set up the show, complete with an opening marching band, the Artisian Rumble Arkestra. Then, 4 days before the show, I got Covid for the second time, infected my band members and had to cancel the show, rescheduling it for a month later, which was a ton more work.
The rescheduled show was a success, and the album was a success, receiving excellent press.

Is there something you think non-creatives will struggle to understand about your journey as a creative? Maybe you can provide some insight – you never know who might benefit from the enlightenment.

I am newly 71 years old. Since 1983, I have released 17 albums as a primary band member or solo artist, most of them released since 2001. On my label, Green Monkey Records, I have released over 200 albums, including 11 Christmas compilations for charity, plus over 140 music videos. None of the albums have sold very well. The most popular band on my label, the Green Pajamas, could, at best, be labeled a cult act. My own work, solo or in bands, sells poorly. Over the last few years, during the pandemic, I and my band took on my largest project, the afore mentioned “Olympia: A True Story”, plus my “1+1=?” solo album. “Olympia” was well received in the area (the big fish, small pond theory) and is my best-selling release ever, with sales of around 300. It is still losing money. Given all that, why do I keep making music, writing songs, recording them and releasing them? Am I just a glutton for punishment?
Nope.
It is the simple act of creation and living the artistic life that powers my engine. I long ago got over feeling bad just because my music does not resonate with most people. I have zero Billboard hits. I long ago got over the fact that people most often compare me to Frank Zappa and Bruce Springsteen, neither of whom are on my top favorites list, but I get it. Kinda weirdo music with a vaguely Springsteen voice. People like to compare you to something – it gives them a frame of reference.
So why do I keep going? It is the pleasure of the act of creation, finagling the pieces of the puzzle together in a way that creates some sense of satisfaction. Sometimes it is the pleasure of creating things with other musicians. Certainly, it is the enjoyment of advancing the skills of my craft as a music maker and technician.
Why bother releasing it? Releasing it gives a work a sense of completion. For better or worse, it is now public. Put a fork in it and call it done! Is it worthy? To a degree the public and the critics can decide that, to the largest extent however, the success or failure of your project is personal. What do you think and feel about it? In my case that is sufficient.
Will this benefit non-creatives? I cannot know, but I certainly hope so.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.greenmonkeyrecords.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/greenmonkeyrecords/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/GreenMonkeyRecords
• Youtube: https://www.facebook.com/GreenMonkeyRecords
• Other: https://greenmonkeyrecords.bandcamp.com/