Thavoron Releases Sophomore Album ‘Tommy Loves You’ and Short Film - 26 May 2023

Thavoron releases his second full-length album Tommy Loves You, available May 26th on Digital Formats via Trailing Twelve Records.

Trailing Twelve Records presents Tommy Loves You: the second album and debut short film project from 22-year-old Seattle, Washington-based singer-songwriter Thavoron (Tav-er-on) set for release on May 26th. A follow-up to his 2021 album Ugly and a conclusion to the steady stream of singles and music videos released over the past year, Tommy Loves You finds Thavoron taking a widescreen approach to both production and songwriting. The result is a striking blend of cathartic indie rock and heartbreaking acoustic folk cast upon explorations of intimate relationships, cultural assimilation, and embracing one’s inner child. 

The son of Cambodian immigrants, Thavoron was raised in Everett, WA where he regularly felt like an outsider. After spending his formative teenage years writing in his bedroom and trying to understand the complexities of his identity, Thavoron moved to Seattle, WA with the hope of cultivating a community of peers. He enrolled in college and started exploring his identity as a young, gay, Cambodian American man. Having a newfound sense of purpose for his self-discovery and artistic expression, Thavoron decided to leave school to pursue his music full-time.

Thavoron started the songwriting process for Tommy Loves You in October 2021. After recording demos in his bedroom, Thavoron enlisted the help of Phillip Peterson (HAIM, Taylor Swift, Lorde) to add percussion, cello, & bass and Spencer Edgers to play flute and saxophone. The production employs tactful guitar reverbs, confidently restrained basslines, undulating cello, and dazzling woodwinds to create a rich and mature backdrop to Thavoron’s emotionally wounded vocals. Working alongside Peterson and Edgers, Tommy Loves You highlights Thavoron as an artist with a clear vision and deft ability to create heartbreaking atmospheres. 

The songs on Tommy balance vulnerable introspection  [“How foolish of me/ To think that you’d believe in me/ And not just my body or the way that I’d speak”] and poignant prose [“I’ve got one better / you just know hurt / Do it to me to just feel worse”]. The orchestral swells of “18” takes on the emotional scars of traumatic relationships,” while the ethereal “Struck” telegraphs the pains of falling in love too hard too fast. The full-bodied “Nervous” gives weight to the intense feelings at the early stages of a romantic relationship [We’ve been going faster, Without of thinking of after, It’s easier], while the yearning choral vocals of “Good” explore a longing for validation and the lengths one may go to in order to be acknowledged. The hauntingly minimal conclusion “Twin Sized Bed” centers around the journey to loving and accepting oneself.

The album’s title alludes to Thavoron’s middle name by which he was primarily known during his youth as a form of social survivalism. It serves as both an acknowledgment of Thavoron’s growth as a person as well as a universal statement on the pitfalls of repressing one’s true identity.

“The people I grew up with know me as “Tommy.” This was a product of me learning cultural assimilation at a very young age, and feeling really embarrassed I didn’t have a “normal” name like all of my peers that I grew up with.”

The accompanying short film, directed by Maddie Ludgate, visually represents the theme of being caught in a cyclical state. As Thavoron describes it, “It’s the experience of being forced to go through the same things over and over again until you learn to choose yourself first.”

From start to finish, Tommy Loves You showcases Thavoron’s unique perspective of identity and relationships, and his ability to craft intimate, heart-breaking sonic progressions.

“There have been so many stages in my life and things I've had to learn, and I feel like I wouldn't have been able to do so without the love of my inner child “Tommy” - knowing that he's always rooting me on to chase after my wildest dreams.”

Tommy Loves You by Thavoron will be available on digital formats worldwide on Friday, May 26th through Trailing Twelve Records.

Watch the accompanying short film below.

Tommy Loves You Track List:

1. 18
2. Struck
3. Nervous
4. Good
5. Why
6. Stain
7. Twin Sized Bed

LIVE DATES:

5/5 & 5/6 - Seattle, WA @ Belltown Bloom Festival

Album Credits
Written, Performed, and Produced by Thavoron
Mixed by Rory Hurley
Mastered By Steve Kitch at Audiomaster UK
Album Artwork and Press Photos by Maddie Ludgate

Additional Credits
“18”
Produced By Phillip Peterson & Thavoron
Cello & Bass By Phillip Peterson
Saxophone & Flute By Spencer Edgers

“Struck”
Produced By Phillip Peterson & Thavoron.
Cello By Phillip Peterson

“Why”
Produced By Spencer Edgers & Thavoron
Saxophone & Percussion By Spencer Edgers

Short Film and Photo Credits
Directed by Maddie Ludgate
Shot and Edited by Maddie Ludgate

Press Contact: info@trailingtwelve.com

TTR-024
© & ℗ 2023 Trailing Twelve Records. All Rights Reserved. Unauthorized Copying, Reproduction, Hiring, Lending, Public Performance, And Broadcasting Strictly Prohibited.

THAVORON - Tommy Loves You
TTR-024
Release Date: 26 May 2023
Length: 27:47

Socials: spotify / instagram / tiktok / twitter / website

BIO

Thavoron is a 22-year-old Cambodian American artist based in Seattle, Washington. Layering angelic vocals and intimate lyricism over heart-breaking sonic progressions, Thavoron pulls inspiration from contemporaries such as Frank Ocean, Faye Webster, and Bon Iver.

Growing up as a Cambodian-American and not feeling represented in the music industry, Thavoron hopes to help pave the way for Southeast/Asian American and queer artists alike looking for a sense of creative community:

“..being surrounded by people I couldn’t fully relate to resorted to me locking myself up in my bedroom to just write to try and make sense of all my differences as a person.”

With coverage including Under The Radar, Celebmix, METAL, Ones To Watch, Seattle Times, Unclear, and Before The Data, Thavoron’s music has been described as deeply reflective, vulnerable, and increasingly rare. Tackling themes like cultural identity, grief, and strained relationships, Thavoron crafts hauntingly melancholy songs that leave a lasting impression.

PRESS & FEATURES

“Thavoron captures a striking allure of contrasts, with his intensely personal lyrics and immaculate falsetto standing next to a sea of tense and knotted instrumental textures.” - Under The Radar

“Navigating themes like cultural identity, grief, and strained relationships, [Thavoron’s] songwriting has a unique vulnerability.” - Seattle Times

“It's become increasingly rare for us to find songs that hit with enough force to give us goosebumps, but Seattle-based artist Thavoron has provided just that with standout cut “bend, or” off his debut album, Ugly.” - Before The Data

“Thavoron writes the words every tired heart has longed to speak and delivers it in the most painfully romantic way possible.” - Ones To Watch

“Alternative and indie rock meet in the creative vision of Thavoron, who adds his personal touch by flooding his creations with emotion and reflecting inner debates in his lyrics.” - METAL

“Drenched in aching timbres, Thavoron’s vocals are at once bewitching and poignant.” - Celebmix