Tom Marshall (singer)
| Tom Marshall | |
|---|---|
|
Tom Marshall in 2001 | |
| Background information | |
| Born | November 12, 1963 |
| Origin | Princeton, New Jersey |
| Genres | psychedelic rock, rock music, jam band |
| Occupation(s) | musician |
| Instruments | keyboards, vocals |
| Years active | 1982–present |
| Associated acts | Phish, Amfibian, Bivouac Jaun, The McLovins |
| Notable instruments | |
| keyboards | |
Tom Marshall (born November 12, 1963) is a lyricist, keyboardist and singer/songwriter best known for his association with Trey Anastasio and the rock band Phish.[1] He has been the primary external lyricist for Phish during their career (1983–2004, 2009–present), with songwriting credits for more than 95 originals - more than Mike Gordon (22), Jon Fishman (18), Page McConnell (11), and "Phish" in the generic (41) combined.
Marshall attended Princeton Day School in New Jersey with Anastasio. The duo began writing songs together as early as the eighth grade (the reggae tune "Makisupa Policeman" is often regarded as the duo's first collaboration and the very first Phish original song). Other early collaborations include Bivouac Jaun, a project recorded by Marshall, Anastasio, and their friend Marc Daubert (who occasionally played percussion with Phish in 1984 and wrote the lyrics to their classic "The Curtain"). Many of the pieces recorded on Bivouac Jaun appeared on the very first Phish album. Marshall also was instrumental in influencing The Man Who Stepped Into Yesterday, a Phish concept album and song cycle about the mystical land of Gamehendge written by Anastasio and used as his senior thesis at Goddard College in 1987.
Marshall, Anastasio, and friends would meet at "the rhombus," a giant piece of art located in a park in Princeton, New Jersey, and embark on lengthy songwriting sessions. Hardcore Phish "phans" may still visit the rhombus at its present location at a park next to the Institute for Advanced Study. Many characters and locations mentioned in early Phish songs reference these songwriting sessions. In one instance, Marshall wrote the original lyrics to the Gamehendge song "McGrupp and the Watchful Hosemasters" and nailed them to Anastasio's front door. By 1985, Anastasio and Marshall had parted ways as Anastasio became more involved with Phish at the University of Vermont.
Years later in 1989, Marshall apparently heard Phish's Junta album and thought to himself, "these guys really need lyrics." Marshall and Anastasio reunited and began a long songwriting partnership that resulted in over 100 songs over the next fifteen years. Anastasio's 2005 solo album Shine marks the first time since the pre-Junta years that he has not worked with Marshall.
As of Spring of 2008, Anastasio and Marshall are once again engaging in collaborative writing sessions in Anastasio's studio in upstate New York.
In addition to working closely with Anastasio, Marshall fronts his own band, Amfibian, currently on hiatus.
In the fall of 2010, Marshall collaborated with CT jam band The McLovins to co-write "Cohesive," recorded with Marshall and Anthony Krizan (of Spin Doctors fame) at Krizan's Sonic Boom studios. In mid-November 2010, Marshall joined his longtime friend Trey Anastasio on stage at the historic Richardson Auditorium in Alexander Hall Princeton University bringing them back to their roots.
Marshall has a wife named Lea-Lea, a daughter named Anna and a son named Brodie. He is also a lover of good beer and witty banter.
Discography
- Amfibian Tales (August 2000)
- Trampled By Lambs and Pecked by the Dove (with Trey Anastasio) (November 1, 2000)
- From the Ether (June 2004)
- Skip the Goodbyes (July 2007)