Welcome to The Rocks Off 200, our portrait gallery of the most compelling profiles and personalities in the far-flung Houston music community -- a lot more than just musicians, but of course they're in there too. See previous entries in the Rocks Off 100 at this link.
Who? It's fair to say that singer-songwriter Tom Lynch, a relative newcomer to the local scene, has music in his blood -- both his father and uncles were a touring jazz musicians, who made performance an integral part of Lynch's upbringing.
"'Gig' was a very common term in my household," Lynch remembers. "Every time [family was] over for a holiday, they'd break out their instruments and play."
Lynch took his talents in a different direction with a unique folk-rock sound, backed by some serious guitar skills and poignant, lyrically driven melodies. Not surprisingly, he says that his aspirations of joining in the family business began early; though, it was not until his teenage years that he learned to play -- first piano, then guitar -- thus discovering a diehard passion for the writing process.
"I trapped myself in my room and would play along with anything I could get my hands on," Lynch recalls. "I bought an amp and guitar with money I saved working at a Kroger and spent every waking minute playing until my parents just couldn't take it anymore -- I guess I started writing songs as soon as I learned a couple of chords."
Home Base: Lynch counts Midtown's hippest corner block -- namely, sister venues the Continental Club and the Big Top Lounge -- among his favorite places, both to play and to chill.
"You can't beat live music and tacos," he quips.
Why Do You Stay In Houston? Lynch credits the friendliness and collective modesty of the local music scene as chief factors in his decision to call H-town home.
"I really love the people here," Lynch says. "The music community is filled with great people, and it seems like there are a ton of great bands, but nobody acts like a rock star."
Interview continues on the next page.
