Thomas Powers
Bio
From Auckland to Los Angeles, Thomas Powers has kept himself busy, quietly shaping the landscape of alternative music as a singer, songwriter, and producer. Best known as the co-founder of wildly successful synth-pop band, The Naked & Famous, whose decade-defining anthems provided the euphoric soundtrack of the 2010s, Powers is equally comfortable creating moody soundscapes. He lends his considerable knowledge of production and song construction to countless acts, defying genre and fueling years of noteworthy collaboration.
Powers’ formative years in New Zealand are punctuated by the meteoric rise of TheNaked & Famous. In 2010, they burst from hometown heroes into international stardom with their double platinum, synth-soaked superhit “Young Blood.” Not to be outshone, their debut studio album “Passive Me Aggressive You” spawned attention-grabbing singles: “Punching in a Dream” and “Girls Like You,” a track spotlighting Powers’ vocals.In following years, The Naked & Famous would go on to release four more albums featuring critically acclaimed “Hearts Like Ours” and “Higher.” They headlined hundreds of shows across the globe and served as support for acts including Blink-182, Foals, and Nine Inch Nails.
The son of a local folk singer, Powers was introduced to the musical world very young, appearing as a baby on his father’s album cover. When he wasn’t playing the used electric guitar his mother bought for him, he found himself surrounded by his stepfather’s extensive collection of cassette tapes, CDs, and vinyl. By the time he was in high school, he joined countless bands and taught himself the basics of production. Eager to learn the craft, he shadowed local musicians until striking gold in 2006, starting The Naked & Famous with Alisa Xayalith. Dropping out of university to pursue their musical dreams, they worked at the local record store and immersed themselves in Auckland’s alternative music scene. The duo released two celebrated indie EPs from their bedrooms before achieving international commercial success with their first studio album in 2010.
When the pandemic interrupted touring on their fifth album, “Recover,” in 2020, The Naked & Famous put their creative partnership on pause, embracing the chance tore focus. For Powers, this meant throwing open the doors of his home studio to a variety of interesting artists, igniting a love of film scoring, and turning his attention to his own solo project.
These interests came together seamlessly in the creation of “A Tyrant Crying in Private,” Powers’ much anticipated, genre-defying debut LP. A departure from his previous work, the album is introspective, minimalistic, and cinematic. Classically-infused, the record ebbs and flows from confessional indie to sparse electronica. Melancholy strings slice through precise, modern productions, leaving the listener wondering if they’ve walked out of a film. Clear and vulnerable, Powers details his earnest journey to adulthood. A perfectionist emerging from the studio and opening his notebook for all to see. He tempts the likes of Julien Baker (Boygenius), Chelsea Jade, Rob Moose, and Now, Now to round out the album, a nod to his inherently collaborative process. Long considered the mastermind behind anything he touches, Powers is finally stepping out from behind the curtain. His debut positions him centerstage, breathing life into an airless, electronic soundscape that cannot be ignored.
Bio
From Auckland to Los Angeles, Thomas Powers has kept himself busy, quietly shaping the landscape of alternative music as a singer, songwriter, and producer. Best known as the co-founder of wildly successful synth-pop band, The Naked & Famous, whose decade-defining anthems provided the euphoric soundtrack of the 2010s, Powers is equally comfortable creating moody soundscapes. He lends his considerable knowledge of production and song construction to countless acts, defying genre and fueling years of noteworthy collaboration.
Powers’ formative years in New Zealand are punctuated by the meteoric rise of TheNaked & Famous. In 2010, they burst from hometown heroes into international stardom with their double platinum, synth-soaked superhit “Young Blood.” Not to be outshone, their debut studio album “Passive Me Aggressive You” spawned attention-grabbing singles: “Punching in a Dream” and “Girls Like You,” a track spotlighting Powers’ vocals.In following years, The Naked & Famous would go on to release four more albums featuring critically acclaimed “Hearts Like Ours” and “Higher.” They headlined hundreds of shows across the globe and served as support for acts including Blink-182, Foals, and Nine Inch Nails.
The son of a local folk singer, Powers was introduced to the musical world very young, appearing as a baby on his father’s album cover. When he wasn’t playing the used electric guitar his mother bought for him, he found himself surrounded by his stepfather’s extensive collection of cassette tapes, CDs, and vinyl. By the time he was in high school, he joined countless bands and taught himself the basics of production. Eager to learn the craft, he shadowed local musicians until striking gold in 2006, starting The Naked & Famous with Alisa Xayalith. Dropping out of university to pursue their musical dreams, they worked at the local record store and immersed themselves in Auckland’s alternative music scene. The duo released two celebrated indie EPs from their bedrooms before achieving international commercial success with their first studio album in 2010.
When the pandemic interrupted touring on their fifth album, “Recover,” in 2020, The Naked & Famous put their creative partnership on pause, embracing the chance tore focus. For Powers, this meant throwing open the doors of his home studio to a variety of interesting artists, igniting a love of film scoring, and turning his attention to his own solo project.
These interests came together seamlessly in the creation of “A Tyrant Crying in Private,” Powers’ much anticipated, genre-defying debut LP. A departure from his previous work, the album is introspective, minimalistic, and cinematic. Classically-infused, the record ebbs and flows from confessional indie to sparse electronica. Melancholy strings slice through precise, modern productions, leaving the listener wondering if they’ve walked out of a film. Clear and vulnerable, Powers details his earnest journey to adulthood. A perfectionist emerging from the studio and opening his notebook for all to see. He tempts the likes of Julien Baker (Boygenius), Chelsea Jade, Rob Moose, and Now, Now to round out the album, a nod to his inherently collaborative process. Long considered the mastermind behind anything he touches, Powers is finally stepping out from behind the curtain. His debut positions him centerstage, breathing life into an airless, electronic soundscape that cannot be ignored.
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