We had the good fortune of connecting with Thom LaFond and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Thom, how do you think about risk?
I believe that risk is the seed for anything worth doing. Trusting that the risks you take, and putting in the work is the only way to get further in the path you are on. In the beginning of the pandemic I spent my savings on a cine-camera and a pair of microphones. My friends thought I was crazy, but I ended up making hundreds of music related videos, and finding side work that kept me going through a tough time.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
I have been writing songs since I was a child. I am obsessed with lyrics, and creating my own style with them. I’m excited to share the words I write, because they start from a place of improvisation. I write in a flow state, and edit based on how it feels to sing, or how it sounds listening back to demo recordings. I am also really excited by the recording studio and using production and arrangement to explain the meaning or feeling of the words. I have been recording myself since I was 11, and only in the last few years have I felt proud and eager to share my work. The first 15 or so years were spent wishing the result was different, and changing my approach constantly. Putting in the time, and learning to trust my ears and intuition was the only way to overcome that challenge. One thing people often ask me is “do you enjoy your work” my answer is always, “Yes, I love every moment of it”

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
Day one: Meow-Wolf until hangry, then African Bar and Grill in Lakewood. Eat some black-eyed pea donuts and tomato stewed goat. Monday Jazz jam at the Meadowlark. Day two: Drink too much water, and head up to my abode in the mountains west of Boulder. Cook something complicated. Sing songs around the piano and get altitude adjusted.
Day three: Hiking west of Nederland with a guitar and the makings of consistent oatmeal & soup.
Day four: Still hiking, alpine lake, next alpine lake, bored of alpine lakes.
Day five: Emerge from the forest and rush back to DIA in stressful and surreal readjustment turmoil, Later remembering we lost track of days. It’s actually only Friday, not Sunday.
Day six: See something funky at Cervante’s or Red Rocks.
Day seven: Lucille’s for brunch and then put them on a bus to the airport from Boulder, because it’s awesome, and I hate driving to the airport.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I dedicate this shout out to Enion Pelta-Tiller. Enion is a brilliant musician, who has inspired me for years. Her violin playing is so technical and lyrical, and all encompassing of the capabilities of the instrument. She has exposed me to music from all over the world, of which she has truly mastered on the violin. I feel so fortunate to have Enion performing on my new record “The Moon Leans In”

Website: https://www.thomlafond.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thomlafond/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thomm.lafond

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/user/ThomLaFond

Other: https://open.spotify.com/artist/2NVtDeFBzHMUFQlzDswS8a?si=62y7b6gWTKK4QxOO49R9Fg

Image Credits
Maiki Nope, Nick Guzzo

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