Puppet Boy

About Tom Abbott

"We as humans have always found ways to express ourselves and our experiences with each other. Through performing original songs, as well as putting my spin on songs created by the artists who have inspired me, I hope to entertain and connect with people in a meaningful way.”

-Tom Abbott

From the Boston suburb of Wrentham, MA, Tom Abbott is a 21 year old singer-songwriter currently completing his studies at New England Conservatory in Boston. Abbott has been writing songs, playing guitar and singing since elementary school. He started playing bars, clubs and other venues at age 14 and released his first recording, the 5 song EP “Shedding Light,” at age 16. While he had experience performing in bands in high school, he knew he wanted to focus on music and songwriting that was all his own.

Abbott followed up with “Well Done” in 2017, a full 10 song EP where Abbott composed, performed and produced the entire album. In 2019, Tom released the well-received “Puppet Boy,” a 14 song concept album that takes listeners on a sonic collage that explores many genres like indie, folk, punk and pop rock. For the past several years, Tom has performed as a solo artist and played in venues in New England and across the U.S., including The Bitter End in New York City, The Middle East in Cambridge, M.A, and The Hard Rock Cafe and Jordan Hall in Boston.

At New England Conservatory, Abbott majors in Contemporary Improvisation with a focus on songwriting. He studied under the guidance of Joe Morris, Dominque Eade and Carla Kihlstedt. In addition to tutelage under world-class instructors, Abbott was exposed to many genres of music including bluegrass, gospel and jazz. Abbott also performed with the NEC Chamber Singers, an elite ensemble choir group that sings challenging works from all style periods, both a cappella and with instruments.

Abbott has influences ranging from several genres of the past decades, with 60s bands the Beatles and Simon & Garfunkel, 90s grunge and punk groups like Pearl Jam and Green Day, and more recent indie folk artists like Neutral Milk Hotel, Andy Shauf and Father John Misty.

Abbott brings a new feel to some classic genres. His vocals are lush, with an edgy yet soulful approach. With an unbeatable youthful energy and a persistent pop undertone, his music boasts the aesthetic of indie rock anthems. Although the songs are diverse, there is a glue that holds them all together. Most importantly, Abbott’s music never loses sight of the emotional platform great songs are built on.

"Puppet Boy is from start to finish a sonic collage that captivates song after song. The singer-songwriter has crafted a record that shines with folk-rock splendor and flashes its highlights of blues, punk, and lo-fi production throughout fourteen riveting tracks. The New England artist gifts something to each listener"

--Rene Cobar, The Deli 7/19/19

"Abbott may be 21, but I'll be damned if his lyrics don't project the life lessons of someone far older. He is very open and vulnerable with the personal touches in his narratives"

-Rebecca Rothschild, Divide and Conquer, 9/6/2019

"It’s very impressive and enjoyable on all accounts. Really really really well done. Beautifully constructed, played, sung, written."

— Joe Morris, American Jazz Guitarist & Improviser