Russ Tolman
Singer/Songwriter/Guitarist Russ Tolman was head honcho of ‘80s psychedelic guitar slingers True West, considered by the press as part of the Paisley Underground, which included L.A. bands Dream Syndicate, Rain Parade, Bangles, Three O’Clock, Green On Red, Long Ryders, and others. While drawing inspiration from 60s icons like The Byrds, as did their contemporaries, True West leaned more heavily on British influences such as the Yardbirds and New York proto-punkers Television, whose leader Tom Verlaine later produced recordings for the band. True West toured the western U.S. and Canada with R.E.M on their Fables of the Reconstruction tour in 1985. Shortly afterward, Tolman left the band.
Russ released his first solo album Totem Poles and Glory Holes in 1986, which he aptly described as “a great ball of noise.” With eight albums in total, Tolman’s work pioneered a blend of rock, country, and folk now known as Americana. Finding an eager audience there, Russ toured Europe extensively in the ‘90s.
His latest album Goodbye El Dorado received excellent reviews both here and abroad. He supported the album with a tour that stretched from Madrid in the south to above the circle in Trömso, Norway.
He is currently writing and recording for album number nine.
As a visual artist, Russ draws inspiration from abstract paintings of the 1950s.
As a visual artist, Russ draws inspiration from abstract paintings of the 1950s.
