Sebastian Thomson
Sebastian Thomson | |
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![]() Sebastian Thomson performing with Baroness at Rock im Park 2018 | |
Background information | |
Born | Chaco, Argentina |
Genres | |
Occupation(s) | Musician, music producer |
Instrument(s) | Drums, synth, vocals |
Years active | 1990–present |
Sebastian Thomson is a Grammy-nominated musician based in Brooklyn, NY. He is currently the drummer for Baroness, Trans Am, and solo act Publicist.
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.[3][5]
More recently, Thomson is known for his work as the drummer of heavy metal band Baroness. He joined Baroness in 2013 following a bus accident that resulted in the band's original drummer choosing to retire.[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.[1][9]
Other past solo and collaborative works include The Frequency, Weird War, and The Fucking Champs.[6][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]
Thomson is also left handed.
References
- ^ a b "Publicist en vivo en Buenos Aires". Los Inrockuptibles. January 18, 2016. Retrieved December 22, 2018.
- ^ "Flying Scotsman". San Andrés Alumni. October 2016. Retrieved December 22, 2018.
- ^ a b Crash Bang Boom Drumming Podcast (April 24, 2017). "Crash Bang Boom Podcast: Sebastian Thomson; Baroness, Trans Am" (Podcast). iTunes Store. Retrieved December 29, 2018.
- ^ Joe Wong (July 27, 2016). "081: Sebastian Thomson (Trans Am, Baroness, Publicist)". The Trap Set (Podcast). iTunes Store. Retrieved December 29, 2018.
- ^ "How The Eagles Inspired Trans Am's Latest Anti-Post-Rock Record". Bandcamp Daily. April 18, 2017. Retrieved December 22, 2018.
- ^ a b "Baroness Announce First U.S. Dates Since Accident, Pick Up Trans Am's Drummer". Spin. April 1, 2013. Retrieved December 22, 2018.
- ^ "Sebastian Thomson". Recording Academy Grammy Awards. Retrieved December 22, 2018.
- ^ Ryan Reed (March 14, 2019). "Baroness Prep New LP 'Gold & Grey,' Issue Winding Song 'Borderlines'". Rolling Stone. Retrieved March 23, 2019.
- ^ "Interview: Publicist, synthesis of man and machine". Bturn. April 22, 2013. Retrieved December 22, 2018.
- ^ Joe Tangari (November 18, 2004). "The Frequency". Pitchfork Magazine. Retrieved December 29, 2018.
- ^ Brent Burton (November 9, 2001). "In These Metal Ways". Washington City Paper. Retrieved December 29, 2018.
- ^ "Scoop: Upcoming Guests on LATE NIGHT WITH SETH MEYERS, 5/20-5/24". [BroadwayWorld]. Retrieved May 26, 2019.