TODAY, T. Thomason, and Ria Mae share “Loser Pt. II”. The song was inspired by the inner monologues that often happen when Thomason is trying to work out how to open up to someone about his feelings. “Being vulnerable is hard and it always brings me face to face with the parts of myself I wonder if anyone will ever be able to love, or love around,” shares Thomason. The reimagined version of the song is complimented by a stunning new video from Toronto director Katherine Kwan. Watch/share here.
“LOSER PT. II” IS AVAILABLE EVERYWHERE
“Bringing Ria in on “Loser Part II” was a no-brainer;” shares Thomason. “Over the years, she has been an incredibly generous mentor and friend. When I began planning the Part II Project, I knew I had to ask her to do the song with me.” The fellow Nova Scotian pop artist helped take the original single to the next level as an undeniable dark bop. “I loved this song right away and even thought about doing a remix of it.” Mae continues: “A few months later when T. asked me to be a part of this project, the timing seemed right, and I jumped. I think we made something really special and I’m excited for people to hear it.” This collaboration with Mae is the 2nd single from the Part II Project – a collection of songs reimagined from his self-titled album released this past September. In early April he released a beautiful duet with Rose Cousins for “King of Spades, Pt. II).
What’s The Story about T. Thomason?
T. Thomason is a new kind of pop sensation. The U.K. born, Nova Scotia raised, Toronto resident flips the script on conventional under-dog tropes; his music eschews false positivity in favour of honest, gut-wrenching storytelling. His genre-bending self-titled album marries opulent arrangements with his “rich and full-bodied, soulful and earnest” vocals (NOW Magazine). The result? A sound that packs an emotional punch while begging you to scream along.
After an artistic adolescence spent turning out a number of critically acclaimed albums, Thomason took a break in his late teens to recalibrate, then returned to music as a literal brand-new man: new body, new name (and new pronouns).
Post-transition, the musician has forged a fresh path to the spotlight, and earned some mainstream love along the way. On CTV’s reality show The Launch, Thomason won the opportunity to record the hit single “HOPE”, and worked with producer Alex Hope (Troye Sivan, Tove Lo, Missy Higgins) to put his own songwriting spin on it. The song made Thomason a go-to act for festivals around the world, like The Great Escape (U.K.), FOCUS Wales, Reeperbahn (Germany), and Toronto Pride.
Thomason quickly followed up on his newfound success with the release of his introspective self-titled album. On it, Thomason examines the full spectrum of human emotion, from despairing lust and melodrama in “Loser” to false nostalgia in “Lana’s America” to tentative and bittersweet hope in “Bliss.” After spending the end of 2019 touring in the U.K, Thomason then returned to Toronto to work on The Part 2 Project – a continuation of the record’s story through reimaginings of fan favourite tracks with his artistic mentors and friends.
Thomason is the kind of musician that feels current and classic at the same time. His arrangements are catchy and contemporary, but his voice is timeless; emotive and powerful in a way that just endures. Beloved by Canadian music superstars and charming audiences of all ages, genders, and sexualities, T. Thomason is forging a new blueprint for the 21st century singer-songwriter.
What’s The Story About Ria Mae?
Halifax-born, Toronto-based songwriter Ria Mae hit the road with her Stars Tour beginning November 14, 2019 in Vancouver, BC in support of her highly anticipated Stars EP and single, “Too Close”, with Dan Talevski. She concluded her Stars tour in Truro, Nova Scotia on March 13, 2020 just prior to the shutdown of the country due to COVID-19. Ria hopes to join Matthew Good’s cross Canada tour beginning in November as the country opens up again.
Ria has released two singles the past two months. “For Your Love” and “For Your Love (Outdoors Mix)”, about the struggles of mental illness in those close to us. Her next single “Loser – Part II” with T. Thomason comes out on May 29, 2020. The singles serve as a follow up to her critically acclaimed single “Too Close” with Dan Talevski. “Too Close” was Top 10 at Hot AC and Top 15 at Pop radio and continues to reach a global audience with over 9 million streams.
Since the June 2016 release of her full length, self-titled album, the three-time JUNO nominee has toured Europe with Tegan & Sara, North America with Dido, and Canada with Scott Helman. She has performed with Elle King, Xavier Rudd, Shawn Hook, Family of the Year, Francesco Yates, Coleman Hell and more.
Ria has enjoyed radio chart success in Canada with platinum certified singles, “Clothes Off”, “Ooh Love”, “Too Close” and “Bend”, and her songs have been streamed over 70 million times worldwide.
