Tom Letson & The Letdown

Tom Letson is a musician and visual artist currently based out of Oregon. Early on, when some are eager to start building their success, his calling seemed a bit more humble. Following the footsteps of musical pioneer Woody Guthrie, Letson set off to each crack and crevice of the United States by freight train & thumb. Seeking refuge under bridges and sleeping beside highways, he considers it a pleasant surprise to have made it this long. Eventually he landed up in Alaska, where he spent the better part of his 20s living remotely, and continues splitting his time to date. This alternative lifestyle is a leading force behind the inspiration of his songwriting. He has always felt a bit isolated from the music world, and works hard on staying autonomous to superficial constructs that often govern others. With that, there is a raw honesty rooted in his work that manages to attract listeners wherever he roams & rambles.

In his personal life, Letson is always working to find a balance between a subsistence & troubadour lifestyle. “It definitely hasn’t been an easy road” he says, “but it’s given me a life worth living.” His songs branch out of traditional music, anywhere from the Appalachian Mountains to the Pre-War Blues. As if resonating from the same hollers as Roscoe Holcomb, or being busked along the same streets as Blind Willie Johnson. He writes as a therapeutic tool by poetically vomiting out a prose that carries you through as if caught in a dream. They tend to be a little dark, a little gritty, and rich with life experiences.

In 2023, he was joined by percussionist and brother Justin Letson to form the duo Tom Letson & The Letdown. They formed in Alaska playing local bars & festivals, and have since relocated to Oregon in hopes of branching into the thriving music community.