Thom Donovan (born Thomas Joseph Donovan; July 24, 1974, in

St. Louis St. Louis ( , sometimes referred to as St. Louis City, Saint Louis or STL) is an independent city in the U.S. state of Missouri. It lies near the confluence of the Mississippi and the Missouri rivers. In 2020, the city proper had a populatio ...

Missouri Missouri (''see #Etymology and pronunciation, pronunciation'') is a U.S. state, state in the Midwestern United States, Midwestern region of the United States. Ranking List of U.S. states and territories by area, 21st in land area, it border ...

) is an American guitarist, singer, songwriter, and writer. His first novel ''The Twin Affair'' was published by Pegasus on September 28, 2023. Donovan has released five solo albums and was the lead vocalist and guitarist of the band Lapush. His international performance career has included concerts across the United States as well as cities around the world. Donovan has performed with

Brandi Carlile Brandi Marie Carlile (born June 1, 1981) is an American singer-songwriter and producer. Her music spans different genres, including folk rock, alternative country, Americana, and classic rock. Throughout her career, she has received eleven Gramm ...

, Ruby Amanfu, Will Hoge, and worked with

Wyclef Jean Nel Ust Wyclef Jean ( ; born October 17, 1969) is a Haitian rapper, singer, and record producer. Born in Haiti, Jean emigrated to the Northeastern United States, United States as a child. He gained fame as a founding member of the Fugees, a Ne ...

of The Fugees on his single, "Shipwreck". Donovan's music has frequently appeared in film and television, and he had a recurring uncredited background role in the ABC musical drama series, ''

Nashville Nashville, often known as Music City, is the capital and List of municipalities in Tennessee, most populous city in the U.S. state of Tennessee. It is the county seat, seat of Davidson County, Tennessee, Davidson County in Middle Tennessee, locat ...

'', as a musician. Since 2023, Donovan has written for

American Songwriter ''American Songwriter'' is a bimonthly magazine covering songwriting. Established in 1984, it features interviews, songwriting tips, news, reviews and lyric contest. The magazine is based in Nashville, Tennessee. History The ''American Songwri ...

Childhood and early life

Of Irish and Italian descent, Donovan, the middle of three children, was born in St. Louis, MO. His father's record collection inspired him to begin writing songs at a young age. Thom Donovan was educated at

Lindenwood University Lindenwood University is a private university in St. Charles, Missouri, United States. Founded in 1832 by George Champlin Sibley and Mary Easton Sibley as The Lindenwood School for Girls, it is the second-oldest higher-education institution wes ...

where he graduated with a BA in Music, studying under John McClellan (

Luciano Pavarotti Luciano Pavarotti (, , ; 12 October 19356 September 2007) was an Italian operatic tenor who during the late part of his career crossed over into popular music, eventually becoming one of the most acclaimed tenors of all time. He made numerou ...

). At Lindenwood, Donovan performed in a master class with Scott Tennant of the Los Angeles Guitar Quartet.

Career

Novel

Donovan's first novel, ''The Twin Affair,'' was published by Pegasus on September 28, 2023. Author and journalist Keel Hunt of

The Tennessean ''The Tennessean'' (known until 1972 as ''The Nashville Tennessean'') is a daily newspaper in Nashville, Tennessee. Its circulation area covers 39 counties in Middle Tennessee and eight counties in southern Kentucky. It is owned by Gannett, w ...

described the book as "true to this current moment in our nation - a gripping tale of human nature, politics and madness.”

Journalism

Beginning in 2023, Donovan started contributing to

. He's written pieces on

R.E.M. R.E.M. was an American alternative rock band formed in Athens, Georgia, in 1980 by drummer Bill Berry, guitarist Peter Buck, bassist Mike Mills, and lead vocalist Michael Stipe, who were students at the University of Georgia. One of the fir ...

Oasis In ecology, an oasis (; : oases ) is a fertile area of a desert or semi-desert environment Kim Gordon Kim Althea Gordon (born April 28, 1953) is an American musician, singer and songwriter best known as the bassist, guitarist, and vocalist of alternative rock band Sonic Youth. Born in Rochester, New York, she was raised in Los Angeles, Califor ...

Red Hot Chili Peppers The Red Hot Chili Peppers are an American rock band formed in Los Angeles in 1982, consisting of Anthony Kiedis (vocals), Flea (musician), Flea (bass), John Frusciante (guitar), and Chad Smith (drums). Their music incorporates elements of a ...

, and others.

Music

Early work (1995–2000)

While in college, Thom Donovan formed a duo with his brother, Stephen Donovan, called Elevator to a Penthouse. The duo's primary influences were

Velvet Underground The Velvet Underground were an American rock band formed in New York City in 1964. Its classic lineup consisted of singer and guitarist Lou Reed, Welsh multi-instrumentalist John Cale, guitarist Sterling Morrison, and percussionist Moe Tuc ...

and the sounds of

Motown Motown is an American record label owned by the Universal Music Group. Founded by Berry Gordy, Berry Gordy Jr. as Tamla Records on January 12, 1959, it was incorporated as Motown Record Corporation on April 14, 1960. Its name, a portmanteau ...

, which the brothers had discovered in their father's record collection. An album, ''bigelectricheart'', was recorded on 8-track, half-inch tape.

STIR and Lapush (2001–2008)

In 2001, Donovan formed Lapush with his brother, Stephen. Singing and playing guitar and working as the band's primary songwriter and producer, Lapush marked the first time Donovan would front a band on his own. However, Lapush would have to wait, as later in 2001, Donovan briefly joined the band Stir in the studio during the recording of their 3rd album (which was never officially released). He then agreed to tour the album once it was released and played a few St. Louis area gigs with the band from 2002 through 2003. However, the band was dropped from their label,

Capitol Records Capitol Records, LLC (known legally as Capitol Records, Inc. until 2007), and simply known as Capitol, is an American record label owned by Universal Music Group through its Capitol Music Group imprint. It was founded as the first West Coast-base ...

, and then went on hiatus, allowing Donovan to concentrate on his own project. In 2004, Lapush signed to 456 Entertainment ( Fontana/ Universal) and released their debut album, '' Someplace Closer to Here'', in June 2005. Later that same year the band would make their television debut performing on ''

Last Call with Carson Daly ''Last Call with Carson Daly'' is an American late-night television series that was broadcast by NBC from 2002 to 2019. Hosted by former MTV personality Carson Daly, the series was initially formatted as a late-night talk show in line with '' ...

'' on

NBC The National Broadcasting Company (NBC) is an American commercial broadcast television and radio network serving as the flagship property of the NBC Entertainment division of NBCUniversal, a subsidiary of Comcast. It is one of NBCUniversal's ...

. The album featured the singles, "Aurora", "Quit You Now", and "Say Something". Songs from the album were featured frequently in film and television, including ''

Moonlight Moonlight consists of mostly sunlight (with little earthlight) reflected from the parts of the Moon's surface where the Sun's light strikes. History The ancient Greek philosopher Anaxagoras was aware that "''the sun provides the moon with its ...

'' on

CBS CBS Broadcasting Inc., commonly shortened to CBS (an abbreviation of its original name, Columbia Broadcasting System), is an American commercial broadcast television and radio network serving as the flagship property of the CBS Entertainme ...

as well as ''

Laguna Beach Laguna Beach (; ''Laguna'', Spanish for "Lagoon") is a city in Orange County, California, United States. Located in Southern California along the Pacific Ocean, this seaside resort city has a mild year-round climate, scenic coves, and environ ...

'' and '' The Hills'' on

MTV MTV (an initialism of Music Television) is an American cable television television channel, channel and the flagship property of the MTV Entertainment Group sub-division of the Paramount Media Networks division of Paramount Global. Launched on ...

. The band's second album '' Modern Blues'' was released in 2007 and featured the singles "Closer", "Run", and "Leave The Light On". ''Modern Blues'' was dedicated to the memory of Donovan's father, who died in 2006 from pancreatic cancer. Donovan penned the song "Closer" for his father. Songs from this record were featured on several television shows. Lapush also performed with

Nikka Costa Domenica "Nikka" Costa (born June 4, 1972) is an American singer whose music combines elements of pop, soul, and blues. She also had a career as a child singer starting in the early 1980s. She is the daughter of music producer Don Costa. Ear ...

Matt Nathanson Matt Nathanson (born March 28, 1973) is an American singer-songwriter whose work is a blend of folk and rock and roll music. In addition to singing, he plays acoustic (sometimes a 12-string) and electric guitar, and has played both solo and with ...

The Sounds The Sounds are a Swedish indie rock band. Formed in Helsingborg in 1998, the group's musical style has been compared to new wave acts such as Blondie, The Cars, the Epoxies and Missing Persons. Their debut album, '' Living in America'', was ...

and

Hot Hot Heat Hot Hot Heat was a Canadian indie rock band from Victoria, British Columbia, formed in 1999. The band was signed to Seattle label Sub Pop in 2001 and Warner Records throughout the majority of their career. The band has released five full-lengt ...

. Donovan produced and mixed both Lapush albums in his home studio, The Control Tower. Lapush officially broke up in June 2008. Lapush

Solo career/Nashville (2008–present)

I Love How You Love Me "I Love How You Love Me" is a song written by Barry Mann and Larry Kolber. It was a 1961 Top Five hit for the pop girl group The Paris Sisters, which inaugurated a string of elaborately produced classic hits by Phil Spector. Bobby Vinton had ...

" was the first solo single released by Donovan in 2008. Donovan's first solo performance was on July 26, 2008, in St. Louis, MO, opening for

OneRepublic OneRepublic is an American pop rock band from Colorado Springs, Colorado, formed in 2002. The lineup currently consists of Ryan Tedder (lead vocals, piano), Zach Filkins (guitar, viola), Drew Brown (musician), Drew Brown (guitar), Brent Kutzle ( ...

. ''Cast A Light'', Donovan's debut solo album, was released on March 30, 2010, through his own imprint, Lapush Recordings. "September Glows", the final track from ''Cast A Light'' has been featured on

KROQ-FM KROQ-FM (106.7 MHz) is a commercial radio station licensed to Pasadena, California, serving Greater Los Angeles. Owned by Audacy, Inc., it broadcasts an alternative rock format known as "The World Famous KROQ" (pronounced "kay-rock"). The sta ...

in Los Angeles and has also been featured on

. Songs from ''Cast A Light'' have appeared in television shows on

, and

VH-1 VH1 (originally an initialism for Video Hits One) is an American basic cable television network that launched on January 1, 1985, and is currently owned by the MTV Entertainment Group unit of Paramount Global's networks division based in New Yor ...

. Donovan celebrated the release of his first solo album with two performances at

SXSW South by Southwest (SXSW) is an annual conglomeration of parallel film, interactive media, and music festivals and Convention (meeting), conferences organized jointly that take place in mid-March in Austin, Texas. It began in 1987 and has conti ...

in Austin, TX on March 17, 2010. Donovan moved from St. Louis to Nashville in 2010 after signing a publishing contract with

Nettwerk Nettwerk Music Group is an independent record label founded in 1984. The Vancouver-based company was created by principals Terry McBride and Mark Jowett as a record label to distribute recordings by the band Moev, but the label expanded in Ca ...

and Revelry Music Group. He signed a new publishing contract with Kobalt in 2012. Donovan's solo albums are released via

AWAL AWAL (shortened from Artists Without A Label) is a global recording business that claims to serve as an alternative to the traditional record label, offering deal structures that provide artists with the resources and expertise of a global label ...

, a London-based distributor owned by Kobalt. ''Mercury Maybe'', was released on March 27, 2012. The first single, "Drive", was re-recorded and taken from the original Elevator to a Penthouse sessions. Donovan collaborated with Ken Harrison and Roberta Carter-Harrison from Wild Strawberries on ''Mercury Maybe''. Donovan and Harrison co-wrote "Division Street", "Liza", and "Still All Right". Roberta Carter-Harrison sang on "Drive" and "Still All Right". The trio would eventually collaborate on an electronic project called Sealt in 2013, releasing an EP. Donovan released his third solo album, ''Canon'', on June 17, 2014. Donovan collaborated with

and Ruby Amanfu on the album's first single, "Shipwreck". The video for "Shipwreck" was directed by Anthony Matula and features members of the

Ballet. Donovan composed the lyrics for "Shipwreck"—inspired by Arthur Brooke and his poem, '' The Tragicall History of Romeus and Juliet'' (1562). The album was mixed by

Grammy The Grammy Awards, stylized as GRAMMY, and often referred to as The Grammys, are awards presented by The Recording Academy of the United States to recognize outstanding achievements in music. They are regarded by many as the most prestigious a ...

award-winning engineer,

Vance Powell Vance Powell is an American six-time Grammy Award winning record producer, engineer and mixer. His credits include Phish, Chris Stapleton, Jack White, Tyler Bryant & The Shakedown, The Raconteurs, The Dead Weather, The White Stripes, Arctic Monke ...

. Donovan released this fourth album, ''Sea of Stories'', on July 6, 2018. ''Sea of Stories'' is an electronic album featuring the singles "So Cruel", "Ship Is Coming In", and "How's It Gonna Be?". ''Timekeeper'' was released on June 18, 2021. On Donovan's fifth studio album, the sound was focused primarily on acoustic guitar. The album was inspired by a music festival he played in November 2019 in the Dominican Republic with

John Prine John Edward Prine (; October 10, 1946 – April 7, 2020) was an American singer-songwriter of country-folk music. Widely cited as one of the most influential songwriters of his generation, Prine was known for his signature blend of humoro ...

Rossi (2012–2013)

In January 2012, Donovan formed Rossi with Kendall Morgan. Before launching Rossi, the two co-wrote a song called "Overload," which Morgan released as solo material and was featured on

The Good Wife ''The Good Wife'' is an American legal political drama television series that aired on CBS from September 22, 2009, to May 8, 2016. It focuses on Alicia Florrick, the wife of the Cook County State's Attorney, who returns to her career in law ...

. The group's first two singles, "Ossetia" and "War Within", were featured on My Old Kentucky Blog's radio show on

Sirius Satellite Radio Sirius Satellite Radio was a satellite radio ( SDARS) service that operated in the United States and Canada. Sirius launched in 2002, and primarily competed with XM Satellite Radio, until the two services merged in 2008 to form Sirius XM. Li ...

. Rossi's debut show was on March 2, 2012, at The Basement in Nashville opening for Mona. "War Within" has been featured on

Simon Raymonde Simon Philip Raymonde (born 3 April 1962) is an English musician and record producer. He is the son of the late arranger and composer Ivor Raymonde. He is best known as the bass guitarist and keyboard player with the Scottish band Cocteau Twins ...

's radio show on Amazing Radio in the UK. On March 5, 2013, Rossi's third single, "Your God", appeared in an episode of

Body of Proof ''Body of Proof'' is an American medical drama, medical/crime drama, crime comedy-drama television series that ran on American Broadcasting Company, ABC from March 29, 2011, to May 28, 2013, and starred Dana Delany as medical examiner List of B ...

on ABC.

Will Hoge (2017–2023)

Donovan was tapped by Will Hoge to play guitar on his studio album "Anchors." Donovan officially joined the band in early 2017. Hoge and Donovan initially spoke of Donovan joining Hoge's band around 2007, but Donovan's schedule did not allow for him to join at the time.

Musical equipment and sound

Donovan has been credited with a unique sound and approach to the guitar. Rick Anderson,

Allmusic AllMusic (previously known as All-Music Guide and AMG) is an American online database, online music database. It catalogs more than three million album entries and 30 million tracks, as well as information on Musical artist, musicians and Mus ...

comments: "Tout Le Monde" features what is probably the best six-note guitar solo ever recorded." Donovan cites a combination of traditional, classical, and electronic music as sources of inspiration. In an interview with Amplifier Magazine, Donovan states: "The idea is to blend two things that have no business with each other. I enjoy composing on the computer as much as writing with an acoustic instrument. I want to take sounds from the past and push them into the future."

Influences

Donovan's earliest influence was the sound of

, discovered in his father's record collection. Other notable influences include:

Leonard Cohen Leonard Norman Cohen (September 21, 1934November 7, 2016) was a Canadian songwriter, singer, poet, and novelist. Themes commonly explored throughout his work include faith and mortality, isolation and depression, betrayal and redemption, soc ...

The Velvet Underground The Velvet Underground were an American Rock music, rock band formed in New York City in 1964. Its classic lineup consisted of singer and guitarist Lou Reed, Welsh multi-instrumentalist John Cale, guitarist Sterling Morrison, and percussionis ...

John Frusciante John Anthony Frusciante ( ; born March 5, 1970) is an American musician and the guitarist of the Red Hot Chili Peppers, having been with the band across three iterations. He has released 11 solo albums and 7 EPs, ranging in style from acoustic gu ...

The Smiths The Smiths were an English Rock music, rock band formed in Manchester in 1982, composed of Morrissey (vocals), Johnny Marr (guitar), Andy Rourke (bass) and Mike Joyce (musician), Mike Joyce (drums). Morrissey and Marr formed the band's songwrit ...

, and

Oasis In ecology, an oasis (; : oases ) is a fertile area of a desert or semi-desert environment Body of Proof ''Body of Proof'' is an American medical drama, medical/crime drama, crime comedy-drama television series that ran on American Broadcasting Company, ABC from March 29, 2011, to May 28, 2013, and starred Dana Delany as medical examiner List of B ...

'', ''

'', '' The Hills'', '' The City'', and '' Laguna Beach: The Real Orange County''. Donovan appeared in an uncredited role as a guitarist and keyboardist in ''

'', seen at different times in the background, playing in the bands of characters Avery Barkley ( Jonathan Jackson), Deacon Claybourne (

Charles Esten Charles Esten Puskar III (born September 9, 1965), also known professionally as Charles Esten, and (when appearing as himself on improvisation shows or hosting) as Chip Esten, is an American actor, musician, singer-songwriter, and comedian. Es ...

) and Scarlett O'Connor (

Clare Bowen Clare Maree Bowen (born 12 May 1984) is an Australian actress, singer and dancer, best known for her role as Scarlett O'Connor in the ABC/ CMT musical-drama television series ''Nashville''. Alongside her music releases from ''Nashville'' and h ...

). In December 2005, Donovanwith Lapushperformed two songs on an episode of ''

'';

Carson Daly Carson Jones Daly (born June 22, 1973) is an American television host, radio personality, producer, and television personality. From 1998 to 2003, Daly was a VJ (media personality), VJ on MTV's ''Total Request Live'' (TRL), and a DJ for the Sou ...

co-founded the band's record label, 456. TV Maze
TV Maze Episodes

Discography (Solo career)

Albums & EPs

* (2021) ''Timekeeper'' * (2018) ''Sea of Stories'' * (2014) ''Canon'' * (2012) ''Mercury Maybe'' * (2010) ''Cast a Light''

Discography (Lapush)

Albums & EPs

* (2007) ''Modern Blues'' * (2005) ''Someplace Closer to Here'' * (2003) ''an EP by Lapush''

Collaborations

* 2022–2025: Guitarist for

Leigh Nash Leigh Anne Bingham Nash ( ; born June 27, 1976) is an American singer and songwriter who is the lead vocalist for the Christian alternative rock band Sixpence None the Richer and was also a member of Fauxliage. Her debut solo album, ''Blue on ...

* 2022: ''War Within'' by Kendall Morgan (Credits: songwriter) * 2022: ''Arsenic'' by

Dave Hause Dave Hause (born March 12, 1978) is an American singer-songwriter. He currently performs both solo and with his band The Mermaid. His music draws from heartland rock, folk rock and punk rock. He has also played in multiple Philadelphia-area punk ...

(Credits: ambient guitar) * 2022: ''Wings on My Shoes'' by Will Hoge (Credits: guitar) * 2021: ''Different Plans'' by Jackie Darlene (Credits: guitar) * 2020: ''Tiny Little Movies'' by Will Hoge (Credits: guitar, background vocals) * 2018: ''My American Dream'' by Will Hoge (Credits: guitar, background vocals) * 2017: ''Anchors'' by Will Hoge (Credits: guitar) * 2017–2023: Guitarist for Will Hoge * 2013–2014, 2019–present: Guitarist and music director for Ruby Amanfu * 2016: ''Buffalo'' by Shelly Fairchild (Credits: co-writer "Lies") * 2016: Guitarist for

Shelly Fairchild Shelly Fairchild (born August 23, 1977) is an American music recording artist. Signed to Columbia Records in 2004, she released her first album, ''Ride'', in early 2005. It included the single "You Don't Lie Here Anymore", a No. 35 on the '' ...

* 2013: "Love Out Loud" single by Ruby Amanfu (Credits: co-producer) * 2013: ''1'' EP by Sealt (Credits: producer, co-writer) * 2013: "Your God" single by Rossi (Credits: producer, co-writer) * 2012: "War Within" single by Rossi (Credits: producer, co-writer) * 2012: "Ossetia" single by Rossi (Credits: producer, co-writer) * 2012: ''Through Frozen Forests'' EP by Aaron Espe (Credits: co-writer on "Turn") * 2012: ''Three'' by Aaron Espe (Credits: mastering) * 2011: "Overload" single by Kendall Morgan (Credits: producer, co-writer) * 2011: "First Days Of Summer" single (alternate version) by Carter's Chord (Credits: producer) * 2011: "Again" single (alternate version) by

Carter's Chord Carter's Chord was an American country music group composed of sisters Becky Scott, Emily Fortney, and Joanna Ott, all of whom are singer-songwriters and vocalists. They are also the three daughters of Barny and Carter Roberston, both of whom pla ...

(Credits: producer) * 2003: ''Untitled, Unmastered, and Unemployed'' by Stir •

(Credits: co-writer, guitar) * 2002–2003: Guitarist for Stir * 2001: ''nevertheless'' EP by Flynova (Credits: guitar, writer on "You're Still Pretending") * 1999–2000: Guitarist for British rock band, Fono, including world tour with

Goo Goo Dolls The Goo Goo Dolls are an American rock band based in Buffalo, New York, composed of lead vocalist and guitarist John Rzeznik, bassist and vocalist Robby Takac, as well as several rotating members since its formation in 1986. After starting ...

and

Robert Plant Robert Anthony Plant (born 20 August 1948) is an English singer and songwriter. He was the lead singer and lyricist of the rock band Led Zeppelin from its founding in 1968 until their breakup in 1980. Since then, he has had a successful solo ca ...

* 1997–1998: ''bigelectricheart'' 8-track demos by Elevator to a Penthouse (Credits: co-producer, co-writer)

References

External links

*
Thom Donovan — Nettwerk Composer

Thom Donovan — Composer Revelry Music Group Nashville, TN
{{DEFAULTSORT:Donovan, Thom Living people Songwriters from Missouri Lindenwood University alumni Guitarists from Missouri 1974 births Musicians from St. Louis 21st-century American guitarists