Sebastian Thomson Explained

Sebastian Thomson
Birth Place:Chaco, Argentina
Instrument:Drums, synth, vocals
Occupation:Musician, music producer
Years Active:1990–present
Associated Acts:Baroness, Trans Am, Publicist

Sebastian Thomson is a Grammy-nominated musician based in Brooklyn, NY. He is currently the drummer for Baroness, Trans Am, and solo act Publicist. He is also left-handed.

Early life

Thomson was born in Chaco, Argentina and spent his formative years in Argentina, Brazil, Holland, France and the United States.[1] He got his start drumming while attending St. Andrew's Scots School[2] [3] in Argentina. Thomson attended Bard College and was pursuing a PhD in physics at the University of Maryland when he decided to focus on music full time.[4]

Career

Thomson's drumming career began in Washington, DC with the post-rock band Trans Am, formed with childhood friends Philip Manley and Nathan Means while the three were attending college. Trans Am continues to produce music although the members reside in separate cities.[5]

More recently, Thomson is known for being the drummer of the heavy metal band Baroness. He joined the band in 2013 following a bus accident that resulted in the band's original drummer retiring.[6] The first Baroness album featuring Thomson on drums was Purple, released in 2015. The album's song Shock Me earned Thomson and his bandmates a Grammy Award nomination in 2016.[7] Thomson's second studio album with Baroness is Gold & Grey, released June 14, 2019.[8]

Additionally, Thomson maintains an active solo act, Publicist, in which he mixes live drumming with recorded tracks inspired by rock, acid house, electronic music and Detroit techno. When performing as Publicist, Thomson plays his drum kit in the middle of the dance floor, incorporating a synthesizer and vocoder.[9]

Other past solo and collaborative works include The Frequency, Weird War, and The Fucking Champs.[10] [11]

Thomson's US national television debut took place May 20–23, 2019, when he served as the guest drummer for The 8G Band on Late Night with Seth Meyers.[12]

References


Notes and References

  1. Web site: Publicist en vivo en Buenos Aires . Los Inrockuptibles. December 22, 2018. January 18, 2016.
  2. Web site: Flying Scotsman . San Andrés Alumni. December 22, 2018. October 2016.
  3. Crash Bang Boom Drumming Podcast . Crash Bang Boom Podcast: Sebastian Thomson; Baroness, Trans Am . iTunes Store . April 24, 2017 . December 29, 2018.
  4. Joe Wong . The Trap Set. 081: Sebastian Thomson (Trans Am, Baroness, Publicist) . iTunes Store . July 27, 2016 . December 29, 2018.
  5. Web site: How The Eagles Inspired Trans Am's Latest Anti-Post-Rock Record . Bandcamp Daily. December 22, 2018. April 18, 2017.
  6. Web site: Baroness Announce First U.S. Dates Since Accident, Pick Up Trans Am's Drummer . Spin. December 22, 2018. April 1, 2013.
  7. Web site: Sebastian Thomson . Recording Academy Grammy Awards. December 22, 2018.
  8. Baroness Prep New LP 'Gold & Grey,' Issue Winding Song 'Borderlines' . . Ryan Reed . March 23, 2019. March 14, 2019.
  9. Web site: Interview: Publicist, synthesis of man and machine . Bturn. December 22, 2018. April 22, 2013.
  10. Web site: The Frequency. Pitchfork Magazine. Joe Tangari. December 29, 2018. November 18, 2004.
  11. News: In These Metal Ways . Washington City Paper. Brent Burton . December 29, 2018. November 9, 2001.
  12. Web site: Scoop: Upcoming Guests on LATE NIGHT WITH SETH MEYERS, 5/20-5/24. [BroadwayWorld]. May 26, 2019.