For Thom Kilroy, music is a means of shared experience. Born and raised in Los Angeles, Kilroy took the opposite path of a typical rising artist with his departure from the city. After experiencing the loss of multiple friends in a single year’s time, Kilroy quit his day job as a contractor and moved to the Hawaiian archipelago of Kaua’i. “My father taught me to be an optimist and always find the silver lining,” says Kilroy. “It took tragedy to show me the fragility of life, and what I really wanted.” Starting from scratch with newly purchased software and equipment, Kilroy helped others record their musical projects while performing at local venues in Kaua’i.
His new album Fly began to take shape during a six-month trip across Europe, during which Kilroy busked and performed in every city possible. The 11-track project was recorded and produced by Arthur Pingrey (Sia, Norah Jones) in a subsequent trip to Manhattan. Kilroy’s objective is simple: “I just hope that people feel good about the moments spent with my music.”
Getting to know Thom
Can you introduce yourself? who are you? what matters to you?
My name is Thom Kilroy and I’m a singer songwriter based in Honolulu, Hawaii. I was born and raised in Los Angeles but moved to Hawaii to better honor my love for the warm ocean, surfing, and now foil surfing! I love everything music, art and creativity related. I’m also passionate about performing, world travel, nature, the environment, animals, meditation, yoga, healthly living, healthy relationships and having a great time! I like to be part of the solution, not the problem and would rather “be a blessing than a burden” to those around me and to the environment. I view life as short, and I try to use that as inspiration and a reminder to make each moment count and be valuable. I want only the best for others and for this beautiful and sometimes tragic world we live in.
Who or what inspired you to make music?
Growing up I always loved how music went straight to my heart and emotions. As a kid I remember sitting at the piano with my grandmother who was an amazing pianist and who tried to teach me, but I was a bit impatient to learn at the time. It wasn’t until later when a friend was selling a guitar that a light bulb went off and I knew I had to buy it. I was hooked from then on and writing and playing music became the most meaningful part of my life. Songwriting is my favorite lens through which to view and take in the world.
If you could open a show for any one artist, who would it be?
One artist…that’s a tough one… Okay, I’ll surprise myself- Lady Gaga!
What is the best advice you’ve ever been given?
Don’t give up. Don’t worry, be happy. Every day is a new day and a fresh start. Be grateful. Dust yourself off, stand back up, and get on with it. Life is short- grab it! Be a blessing, not a burden- always. Talk to the two-year-old within and practice self-love and respect. Be kind to oneself and others.
What sets your music apart? What is unique, or at least uncommon?
I feel like my music starts and ends in the heart, in the emotions. I write about real life, about my experiences and what I witness, with a dash of positivity and wanting the best for everyone sprinkled in. There’s no smoke and mirrors in my music. It is what it is, and I like that.
Wwhat are your top two favorite albums of all time? why?
That’s a hard question to answer because I love so much music and it’s such a mood and timing thing for me. What I used to love sometimes later I burn out on. One album that really got me a while back was Ben Howard’s Every Kingdom. I liked it because it felt fresh to me, and it had an edgy acoustic vibe with great imagery and emotion. Another album I enjoyed a lot was Coldplay’s A Rush of Blood to the Head (and most of their albums!). It was the first Coldplay I heard, and the style, sounds and lyrics made a strong impression on me.
What’s the last show you watched on tv?
I hardly ever watch tv, but the last show was the Trevor Noah Daily Social Distancing Show when he announced that he would be taking a break.
Iif you could learn any language fluently, which would it be?
I already speak Spanish pretty well having studied it and after living in Spain for a year, so I would say Italian since I love Italy and especially Italian cooking- viva la pasta!
Do you have any lucky items? superstitions?
I don’t have any physical lucky items, but I feel owls are lucky for me. When I was sixteen, I broke my ankle surfing on the first day of summer vacation. When I got home from the hospital there was an owl that had landed on my parents’ balcony. We fed it and left the slider door open a bit. It ended up hanging out with me all summer. It kept me company during the day and then would fly away at night. Two months later on the day I got my cast removed it flew away and never came back. Years later, when I moved to Hawaii beautiful owls would appear whenever I was going through something really difficult or having serious doubts in my life. They would instantly bring me feelings of peace and reassurance that everything was going to be okay. It was crazy because they would fly in front of my truck when driving, or land on the entrance post to my driveway at home, and sometimes even swoop up to the window at my house and hover right in front of me in the middle of the night when I couldn’t sleep due to stress! I fell in love with owls and still feel a deep connection.
Iif you were to write an autobiography, what would the title be?
I feel like my life is so colorful I’d need two autobiographies!
“Failing Myself Forward, Stumbling to Success” and “Rather Be a Blessing Than a Burden”
If you could ask your future self-one question, what would it be?
“Did you enjoy the ride?”