An Interview With The Rising Acclaimed LGBTQ Singer-Songwriter, TOM GOSS On His Latest Single ‘Quebec’ and Much More!

Get to know all about the collaboration between the rising acclaimed LGBTQ singer Tom Goss and Mean Girls actor Daniel Franzese! Today, they released their passionate and sexy music video for “Quebec! PRESS HERE to watch.

Filmed on location in Quebec, the track tells the story of Tom revealing to his husband he is in love with another man after learning of his husband’s infidelity and opening their marriage. Devastated, the chorus recounts Tom’s husband’s words before he broke down, word for word: “We are not us. There is another us to us. We are not special. We are no longer special.” The powerful music video is the next single off Tom’s recently released seventh studio album Territories.

Tom Goss is an acclaimed singer-songwriter who went from a quiet childhood in Kenosha, Wisconsin, to wrestling at the college level in Missouri before eventually entering a Washington, DC seminary, leaving the priesthood after a year, and marrying his husband. Since the launch of a successful music career in 2006, the Los Angeles-based artist has delivered six fan-favorite independent albums, generated over 10 million collective streams and 12 million YouTube views, landed syncs everywhere from ABC and HBO to Univision, and performed alongside Andy Grammer, Taylor Dayne, and more. In some ways, everything merely set the stage for the release of Territories, where he is sharing a piece of himself like never before by allowing listeners into his life. Having worked together on a popular remix of Tom’s single “Breath and Sound,” Goss enlisted Carmichael to produce, and sonically the music took cinematic shape woven together with synths and electronic soundscapes.

Check out “Quebec” Here-

Connect With Tom Goss Online Here:

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Learn more about Tom Goss in the following All Access interview-

Happy New Year! When it comes to your music, what are you most excited about for 2020?

Thanks! That’s a great question. I was on a video making rampage last year. I’m super excited for those videos to release! I’m really proud of my new record Territories and I’m stoked to have these songs, videos and stories out in the world.

Can you recall the moment when you thought you could be a musician? What do you think motivates you day in and day out?

Oh man, I don’t know! I’m motivated by telling stories. For me, that’s where it all comes from. I didn’t grow up dreaming of being a musician. Honestly, I just want to tell stories, touch people’s hearts and try to make the world a better place. I use music to do that.

How do you think your hometown has influenced the kind of music that you make? If not, why is that? Growing up, how important was music in your life? Was your family and friends supportive of this career choice? If you weren’t a musician today, what else could you see yourself doing?

Absolutely! Growing up in the Midwest has influenced everything in my life. I’m hard working, earnest and straightforward in all things. I love the Midwest. I grew up listening to my mom’s music (Carole King, The Beatles, The Monkees) and having so much fun doing it. That said, music wasn’t a driving force in my life. I was always an athlete, and music was something that happened in the background. It wasn’t until I retired from wrestling and dropped out of grad school that I turned to music as the primary focus. 

My family has always been supportive. I’m not sure they understand it, but that doesn’t matter much. They come to every show they can.

If I wasn’t making music I’d probably still be making films. If I wasn’t doing anything in the arts sphere, I’d probably be a social worker or running some sort of non-profit.

What has been the biggest surprise so far about making music your career? What has been an unexpected or welcome challenge to it all? What has been the best part about it all?

Oh man, I don’t know. Honestly, it’s a challenge and surprise every day. It really is a long, slow grind. That said, I feel very lucky to be able to create. My favorite part of the process is letting these creations go, and seeing how they impact the world.

Let’s talk about your newest single, “Quebec”! What was the inspiration for this track? How did you get to work with Daniel Franzese on it? What was it like working with him on it?

Québec was inspired by my life. My husband and I were going through a rough period and decided to take a couple days to connect in Québec. When we were walking down the street, he stopped, broke down and started crying. The chorus of the song is, word for word, what he said to me in that moment. It was the saddest thing I have ever heard in my life. In that moment, both of our worlds were turned upside down.

I love Daniel! I’ve wanted to work with him for years. This is the second video we’ve collaborated on (previously we collaborated on La Bufadora). I admire the energy he puts out into the world, especially in regard to body positivity. As an admirer of big men, we share that in common. We need more body positivity in this world. When we were casting La Bufadora, the director (Michael Serrato) and I had both wanted to work with Daniel, so we gave him a call. Luckily, he wanted to work with us both as well! We went to Mexico and made La Bufadora. 

When the role for Québec came along, Daniel saw my casting call and immediately reached out. It was a dream come true. I loved the idea of him reprising his role (from La Bufadora) and digging deeper into the character. Fortunately he felt the same way! 

Daniel will also be in Regretting, the culmination of three music videos (Berlin, Quebéc, Regretting) that weave together to tell one longer narrative.

How creatively involved with the making of the music video for “Quebec” were you? What was it like shooting it in Quebec?

Very involved. I love creating, I love telling stories. Both in terms of songs and visuals. But nothing happens in a bubble. I have a wonderful team of people around me. Québec was directed by Nathaniël Siri and he brings a lot of really amazing skills to the table. I’m not sure if you realize this, but the entire second verse of the video was shot backwards and then reversed. Everything seems a little off, a little uneasy, it really makes the viewer uncomfortable. His ability to light and shoot that with delicacy and technicality was amazing to watch. He is also Québécois, so he has an intimate perspective of the culture in which the story takes place. I absolutely loved shooting in Québec, it’s a magical city.

How does this song compare to the other songs on your recently released seventh studio album, “Territories”? Can you recall a favorite memory from recording it in the studio?

Creating Territories was one of the most fulfilling experiences of my life. Ian Carmichael is a genius. Full stop. I feel so honored to have worked with him. He listened and cared for these songs and stories in a way nobody else would have been able to. There was only one week when we were physically together making this record (Ian lives in Barcelona) and that was one of the best weeks of my life. We recorded vocals, drums and other bits at Blue Suede Studios with Shane Soloski and I flew in my longtime collaborator Liz DeRoche. I’ve never felt more creatively safe or supported. 

I’d love to know more about some of the music syncs that you have gotten. What has it been like having your songs featured on TV?

It’s quite an honor. As someone who creates a lot of videos to support my music, it’s really wonderful to see it happen the other way around. It’s a great compliment when someone thinks your art will help their story be stronger. 

Do you have any tour dates scheduled for this year yet?

After a crazy Fall/Winter, I’ve been taking a couple months off. Dates are starting to pop up for the East Coast and the South. Tour dates will start being announced very soon.

How do you think you have grown as a musician since you first started making music? What if anything has stayed the same about your music-making process?

Honestly, I’m not the same person. Everything has changed, everything has grown. The way I approach playing an instrument, telling a story or writing a song. More than anything, I’ve become much more intentional about how I create. I’ve grown to understand the impact my music (or videos) can have, and I take that seriously.

How do you feel about social media? What do you think social media has done for your career so far?

It’s a love/hate relationship. I’ve been navigating social media since the Myspace days. I wouldn’t have a career without it. But truthfully, these days I don’t embrace it as much as I once did. I don’t feel like a story can be boiled down to 280 characters or a single picture. I’m not a reactionary being. I value the opportunity to be intentional and try to create a full story. 

What musicians would you absolutely love to work with in the future?

Childish Gambino, Lizzo, Ed Sheeran, Julia Michaels, M83, gnash, The 1975. I mean, there are so many. Please don’t make me pick.

If you could design your dream music video right now, what would it look like?

Whoa! Man, I don’t know. I make so many crazy videos. Probably something in space, or underwater. Something where the environment is completely different than what we’re used to seeing. I’m so used to thinking in terms of a budget and what’s possible within it. If I was dreaming, I’d spend so much money and do EVERYTHING!

Where would you love to hear a song of yours played?

I would love to hear my song playing in a major motion picture in the romantic climax. I’d love to see two people kissing or making love on a big screen to something that I wrote. I love the idea of my music bringing people together and being a testament to love.

At the end of the day, what do you hope people take away from your music?

I hope my music helps people understand how beautiful, unique and loved they are.