Russ Tolman

Russ Tolman abandoned the Northern California guitar band True West following its 1985 breakup and embraced the life of a traveling singer-songwriter who frequently appeared backed by a group. Though loosely tied to the Paisley Underground milieu in Los Angeles, he kept close ties to several of its central figures, above all Steve Wynn, the former Dream Syndicate guitarist who has stayed a steady friend and intermittent musical partner.

After settling in Los Angeles during the mid-1980s, Tolman issued his debut solo album, Totem Poles and Glory Holes (Restless, 1986), which revisited the western thematic territory of his prior band without venturing into country or adopting the No Depression twang. Two further California-themed releases in a confessional singer-songwriter style soon followed: Down in Earthquake Town (Restless, 1987) and Goodbye Joe (Skyclad, 1988). He then withdrew abroad for an extended period.

While residing and performing across Europe he put out Road Movie (New Rose, 1992) and Sweet Spot (Brilliant, 1994), drawing a warm response from listeners who responded to the romantic, All-American imagery associated with Bob Dylan and Leonard Cohen. Tolman eventually came back to the San Francisco Bay Area, where he recorded and released City Lights (Blue Rose, 1997); three years afterward came New Quahdrophonic Highway.