Tommy And The Fallen Horses

Warming up for his spring album release Tommy Benefield (namesake behind ex-LOOP RECORDS Folk-Rock/Reggae band: TOMMY) is on tour with the guitarist from his new band THE FALLEN HORSES.
They are going to 11 towns over 4 weekends to celebrate the launch of their new website and to spread the word about there upcoming September album release.

tommyandthefallenhorses.com sets a new standard for indie websites with all the usual bells and whistles such as photos, lyrics, tour info, video clips etc. Tommy’s new site also allows people to join up and get free fortnightly downloads of exclusive demos. It also boasts interactive blog, podcast, film and photo pages where fans can download there own media on to the site. Chat-rooms are still being developed as are a bunch of special features for members (membership is free) and on top of that all Tommy’s albums (including the new one, come September) are available for purchase or download direct from the website.

The upcoming album is Tommy’s finest to date with Tommy finally free to explore the genres of music most meaningful to him. The album sounds like a cross between Neil Young’s ‘after the goldrush’ mixed with The Rolling Stones ‘exile on main St’ with a little of Nick Caves ‘the boatman’s call’ thrown in for good measure. Though Tommy and the fallen horses will continue to tour all the fun dance jams that made TOMMY such a festival favorite.

While the new record has a very ‘indie’ feel to it and will certainly lend itself to the alternative section of certain record stores the raw ingredients of the album is old fashioned rock, pop, folk and country and the backbone is singer-songwriter. The upcoming singles (listen out for CUSHIONS dropping in August), while being unique and slightly quirky, have mass appeal and with this record Tommy seems destined to breakthrough into the mass consciousness of New Zealand’s, if not the world’s, music loving public.

The record features such NZ icons as Wayne Mason and Dave long, and features members of The Phoenix Foundation, Hobnail Boots and Fat Freddys Drop. It was engineered by Nick Macgowan, mixed by Lee Prebble and mastered By mike Gibson.


This series of intimate acoustic shows features rustic melodic harmonies, evocative lyrics and emotive and emotional musicianship. Fallen Horses guitarist Finn’s fluid lead guitar and finger picking integrate seamlessly into Tommy Benefield’s stunning voice and captivating lyrics.
Reminiscent of Bonnie Prince Billy’s ‘Superwolf’ collaboration with Matt Sweeny or Gillian Welch’s Time the revelator album with David Rawlings. Tommy and Finn, with their Laurel-Canyon-in-the-70’s sensibilities, cast an alt-country, indie-pop spell like no other.

Always attempting to raise the bar and in keeping with their website motto of ‘more is more’ these shows will all be recorded and streamed on line and will feature special local guests.

The album release tour with the full band includes popular local supports (some still to be confirmed) and goes through October and November for 20 shows (including Auckland and Wellington twice).


Tommy has played with Odessa, Rhombus, The Phoenix Foundation, Fat Freddy's Drop, Hollie Smith, Jess Chambers, The Black Seeds, Cornerstone Roots, Tim Guy, Steve Able, Minuit, etc
Tommy has opened for Trinity Roots, John Buttler Trio, Salmonella Dub, Donovan Frankenreitter, etc
Tommy has played on the main stage at Parihaka, Cuba St Carnival, Whopper Chopper, Visions, Rhythm and Vines, Taranaki wine and food festival, Canaan Downs Festival, Surf Aid at Wellington Town Hall, Auckland Bands in the Parks and First night (Aotea Square new years eve) etc
Both TOMMY albums were in the independent top 10 and 4000 Years received a nomination at the b-net awards.
Tommy has completed several sold-out tours in NZ and performed in USA and throughout Europe.
Tommy has had several songs on high rotate on dozens of stations nationwide as well as on C4 and Juice TV.