YOU SHOULD BE LISTENING TO: Scranton Americana singer/songwriter Tom Graham
City: Scranton
Genre(s): Americana, folk, blues, indie, rock
Years active: 1997-present
Sounds like: Whether you’re sitting in a small theater, around a campfire, on a back porch, or parked on a bar stool in your local pub, there’s nothing like hearing stories told in simple, yet poetic language from a good singer/songwriter – Tom Graham is that bard, making you pause, think, and sway back and forth as his skillful words strike a chord with your everyday troubles.
This is blue collar blues from an old mining town; it’s Pennsylvania-bred Americana that is raw in its honesty, but polished in its delivery. Whether it’s a memorable chorus or a resonating feeling, his songs will stick with you long after they end, particularly if you’re contemplating life, love, or anything in between.
For fans of: Tom Petty, Tom Waits, Muddy Waters, Johnny Cash, Bruce Springsteen, John Prine, Justin Townes Earle, Ryan Adams, Steve Earle, Wilco, Cake, Coal Town Rounders, and Cabinet
Number of albums/EPs released: Five (one EP, “Sane,” in 2000 and four full-length albums – “Every Good Boy Does Fine” in 2003, “Go Aluminum!” in 2005, “Sea Legs” in 2007, and “Underneath a Rusting Roof” in 2015)
Latest album/EP: “Underneath a Rusting Roof,” released Feb. 10, 2015
Fun fact: Tom Graham has played more than 2,000 shows and will be celebrating 20 years performing live in 2017.
Online: Facebook, Twitter, Bandcamp, YouTube, and tomgrahammusic.com
Upcoming shows:
Oct. 29: Halloween show at the Sherman Theater (524 Main St., Stroudsburg) with Cabinet, Billy Strings, and Kopec, 8 p.m.
Oct. 30: F.M. Kirby Center (71 Public Square, Wilkes-Barre) with the Steve Miller Band, 8 p.m.
Nov. 11: Graham Mazer Duo at The Bog (341 Adams Ave., Scranton), 10 p.m.
Nov. 25: Annual Black Friday show at the Backyard Ale House (523 Linden St., Scranton), 10 p.m.
Listen to Graham talk about his music and the making of his latest album in Episode 13 on the NEPA Scene Podcast.
