*****************************Written for Jill: perhaps my best ballad yet. See a new video of my song "Attached" recorded for an audition for Famecast (an online artist/songwriting contest) recorded Oct. 2007 in NYC.
To View just click on the website listed next:
http://www.famecast.com/tomguarino
Website: www.tomguarino.com See live performance videos on www.youtube.com by typing in Tom's name or on this Myspace page under videos or search my name on www.Youtube.com
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Tom Guarino has recently relocated back to his hometown of Akron
Ohio after living and performing in the vibrant music scene of New York City for the past ten years. He is currently booking solo performances back in the Ohio area and plays a wide variety of styles including: rock, folk, blues, classical guitar and covers many popular artists and songwriters. He also is continuing to perform and promote his own originals music and self produced CD’s. He also works in a duet with a percussionist, which adds a greater sense of depth and excitement to his performance depending on the occasion. He was born and raised in Akron, Ohio where he grew up surrounded by the great music extending down from the over achieving Cleveland music scene of the 70..s and 80..s. His 3 older brothers force fed him classic rock from the 60..s and 70..s. Bands such as The Beatles, The Who, Led Zeppelin, Aerosmith, Fleetwood Mac, Jackson Browne, Genesis, Yes, Springsteen, Rush, Billy Joel, The Eagles, Linda Ronstadt, Bob Seger, Nils Lofgren, Lynard Skynard, Boston, The Police, and many more, had tremendous influence over him in his formative years, laying a foundation that would never be weakened. When he was 16, one of Guarino..s high school friends left a nylon string guitar at his house and Tom, being a ..lefty,.. restrung it and fell in love with it instantly. He was constantly trying to put lyrics to what chords he..d learn or new musical ideas he'd stumble across and that love affair continues to this day. Despite the tremendous attention he put into learning the guitar, what really defines Tom is his song writing. Just listen to his music and you..ll know why.
Guarino earned a Bachelor's Degree in music from the University of Akron, studying classical and jazz guitar while playing in a variety of bands he..d piece together with friends he..d grown up with or with whom he attended school. He was interested in so many styles of music, it didn..t make sense to him to settle on any one style. One of the bands he fronted as the lead singer and guitarist, ..Water Street.., became a local favorite and also featured Erik Diaz; now the drummer with ..Hot Tuna...
Tom later began to find his niche as more of a solo acoustic performer playing the local and regional cafe and club scene and later branching out to the East coast; New York and Philly. "I really enjoy the high-wire act of performing solo or even as a duet," says Guarino. "You're so exposed and vulnerable...you can't hide behind anyone. But at the same time you own it...if people dig it, if you can communicate from there, it becomes this very intimate moment that lasts as long as you and the audience both dare. Some of my most inspired moments as a lover of music was simply watching someone playing solo piano or guitar. Maybe they sing, maybe it's instrumental, but if they are really laying it all out there, it can feel like you're witnessing something very pure and rare. I'm motivated to try and communicate on that level of abstract communication. Generally, I always tried to write songs that stand on their own anyway, so I learned I didn't need to depend on a band in order to perform them. I guess that's what attracts me to certain styles such as classical, folk, blues, and jazz. When I listen to Keb Mo play acoustic blues, Stanley Jordan solo jazz guitar or Jorge Morel (an amazing classical guitarist and composer from Argentina), I'm humbled by their belief in what they are doing. After a show like that, I feel like I've been struck by lightning--it's a very contagious feeling for me."
Guarino's latest effort, "Lost Souls," an acoustic rock album, contains 11 original songs, and is now available for purchace through this website. Look on the main menu and click on the buy page. You can also listen to a sample of each song by clicking on the music page. The album is laced with intricate and diverse guitar styles, dark soulful vocals, and devastating lyrics. While primarily acoustic based, it offers a variety of influences and perspectives, yet all the while centered on a common theme. Much of the album offers an inspired and sometimes harsh look at our own life experiences; love relationships, family, loss, addiction, spirituality, and one's struggle with self control.
Discover the music and art of Tom Guarino and maybe you'll discover something new about yourself.....Discover "Lost Souls." ..
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Wednesday January 10, 2007
The Queens Chronicle
qboro—‘Lost Soul’ Singer Charms Astoria
by Tiffany Razzano,
[email protected]
12/28/2006(Tiffany Razzano) Astoria singer songwriter Tom Guarino plays selections from his latest solo album, “Lost Souls,†at Waltz Astoria.
Singer songwriter Tom Guarino may have only moved to Queens last year, but since releasing his solo album, “Lost Souls,†in April, he’s been making the rounds in Astoria, becoming a staple on the scene.
Guarino often plays venues such as Freeze Peach, an Internet cafe, and most recently, on Dec. 16, at Waltz Astoria, a cafe for artists, where he played original music, covers and holiday songs to celebrate the season.In two sets at the intimate cafe, Guarino effortlessly transitioned from folk pop balladry to finger picking acoustic blues, coming across as a rougher, solo version of the Dave Matthews Band, with hints of classic songwriters such as Jackson Browne and Bruce Springsteen.
Gritty and emotional, his lyric driven songs deliver intricate slices of reality. But his demeanor isn’t entirely downtrodden. He weaves humor into his set with onstage banter and with songs such as Samson’s Wagon, a modern day telling of the story of Samson and Delilah, with Samson portrayed as a drunk and Delilah a woman he met at his neighborhood bar.
Guarino grew up in Akron, Ohio, and studied classical and jazz guitar at the University of Akron. After graduating, he performed around Ohio, mostly as the frontman for local rock bands, finding his niche as an acoustic oriented solo artist.
He also felt the draw of the East Coast, moving to New York City eight years ago. “So much of the music I grew up listening to came out of this area, or was influenced by it or came through here at some point. This is where the big clubs, labels and producers are. I just love the whole culture and artistically, across the board, so much is happening here, from Broadway to Bowery,†he said.
Living in New York, he got caught up in the hustle and bustle of the city and took a short hiatus from performing, but didn’t entirely shy away from music. “I went into a little cocoon of trying to take my guitar playing, vocals and writing to another level,†he said. Guarino also returned to his interest in classical guitar and got a job at SIR studio as an in house sound technician, working with artists from a variety of genres, from gospel to metal.
When he moved to Astoria, Guarino decided to put out a new album. He had previously recorded a solo effort in Ohio, but the new one would really reflect his talent and what he had to say. Calling the album, “Lost Souls,†a “self produced labor of love,†he initially had enough material for a double record.
Realizing it would be difficult to sell, Guarino pared it down to 11 tracks. Inadvertently, he also carved out a theme of self control for the album. “I didn’t set out to do it this way, but a lot of the songs are about trying to hold onto one’s self control,†Guarino said. “I know a lot of people who have lost self control, gone down the wrong streets, the wrong way; people close to me. Self control is very elusive, depending on one’s upbringing and how strong one's faith is.â€
Though his music isn’t religious, Guarino tries to convey a spiritual nature and a strong message.
“It’s like the last line from (Bruce) Springsteen’s “Jungleland,†he said. “‘The poets down here don’t write nothing at all. They just stand back and let it all be.’ You could have great potential as a poet, writer or musician, but if you don’t pursue it, what a waste of life."
To purchase or hear clips from “Lost Souls,†visit www.tomguarino.com.
