Meet Thomas Gallagher of Los Angeles

Today we’d like to introduce you to Thomas Gallagher.

Hi Thomas, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I grew up in Los Angeles, and music has been a part of my life for as long as I can remember. I started playing guitar and performing in rock bands in my early teens, and like a lot of kids growing up in LA surrounded by such an incredible music scene, I had dreams of becoming a professional guitarist, and perhaps even a rock star. But beyond performing, I was always fascinated by songwriting, recording, and the creative process of bringing music to life.

I eventually graduated from the Guitar Institute of Technology in Hollywood and went on to work as both a sound engineer and producer, including producing music for television. Those experiences gave me an appreciation for every aspect of making a record, from the initial songwriting to the final mix.

Throughout the years, I continued writing music, but life, work, and other responsibilities always seemed to take priority. One of my lifelong goals was to write, produce, and release an album of entirely original music. In 2025, I finally accomplished that with a project I call Raised by Clowns.

The name actually came about in a pretty funny way. I was having dinner with my best friend and his wife, and they told me about someone they knew who had literally been raised by two professional clowns. The moment I heard the words “raised by clowns,” a light bulb went off. I thought, “That’s a great band name!” It also resonated with me personally, having grown up as a latchkey kid in Los Angeles during the 1980s. There was something about the humor, absurdity, and slightly dysfunctional undertone of the name that just felt right.

What started as a handful of songs recorded in my home studio gradually evolved into a full 13-song collection. I wrote and produced the music myself, taking advantage of modern recording technology and collaborating remotely with talented musicians from around the world to contribute performances on instruments outside my wheelhouse, particularly drums and vocals. It was incredibly rewarding to hear these songs evolve from ideas in my head into fully realized recordings.

The project also became much more personal than I originally anticipated. My dear sister passed away in 2021 during the COVID pandemic, and her life and struggles became a major inspiration for much of the album. She dealt with mental health and addiction issues, experiences I could identify with on a personal level. Writing became a way for me to process some of those emotions, reflect on our relationship, and make sense of life’s more difficult experiences. Other songs draw from past relationships, broken hearts, and the universal challenges of love and loss.

Although some of the subject matter is dark, I never wanted the music to feel hopeless. My goal has always been to create something authentic that people can relate to, but ultimately leave them feeling a little more hopeful about life.

I initially released the songs individually as singles, but in October 2026, I brought everything together as a complete album titled I Know a Girl.

The music is rooted in the classic rock that shaped me growing up, but I wanted it to feel fresh and contemporary rather than simply nostalgic. Some songs are introspective, some are playful, and others are driven by the energy and attitude that made me fall in love with rock music in the first place.

Today, I’m focused on introducing Raised by Clowns to a wider audience, pursuing opportunities to place the music in film and television, and assembling a live band to bring these songs to the stage.

I’m also involved in a separate live music project called Fireside, which is more about the simple enjoyment of playing music with friends. We have our first performance coming up in November, and I’m really looking forward to that.

I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
I don’t think anyone who has pursued a career in music would describe it as a smooth road!

One of the biggest challenges has been finding a way to pursue music seriously while still making a living. I’ve always had to balance my creative ambitions with a day job in real estate and mobile notary services, and that can make it difficult to devote the time and energy that songwriting, recording, and promoting music really deserve.

The music industry has also changed dramatically since I first started playing. On one hand, technology has made it possible for independent artists like me to produce professional-quality recordings without the backing of a major record label. On the other hand, it’s become increasingly difficult to stand out in a world where there’s an almost unlimited amount of music available at everyone’s fingertips.

There’s also the financial reality of the business. Music has become something listeners expect to access for little or no cost, and licensing budgets, particularly in film and television, can be extremely competitive. Creating something you’re proud of is one challenge; figuring out how to get it heard and build a sustainable career around it is another.

On a more personal level, losing my sister was an incredibly difficult experience. But it also reminded me how precious and unpredictable life can be, and how important it is not to keep putting off the things that matter to us. In many ways, finishing this record became about more than music. It was about following through on something I’d wanted to accomplish for most of my life.

Through it all, I’ve never lost my enthusiasm for making music. If anything, the challenges have taught me to be more resourceful, patient, and independent.

One of the greatest rewards has been the people I’ve met along the way. I’ve had the opportunity to work with some incredibly talented musicians, engineers, and creative people, and those relationships have been just as meaningful as the music itself.

I’ve also come to appreciate that success doesn’t necessarily have to follow a traditional timeline. Releasing this album was something I’d wanted to do for most of my life, and finally seeing it through was a personal milestone I’m extremely proud of.

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
Raised by Clowns is essentially my creative home for original rock music. I’m the songwriter and producer behind the project, and I oversee everything from the initial musical ideas, lyrics, and arrangements to the recording and final production.

My musical influences are deeply rooted in bands like Led Zeppelin, Pink Floyd, and Van Halen. I grew up loving great guitar playing, memorable melodies and harmonies, interesting arrangements, and songs that actually tell a story and take the listener somewhere. Those influences are still very much a part of my musical DNA, but I’m always trying to evolve as a writer and producer and create something that feels relevant today.

I would describe the music as melodic, guitar-driven rock with elements of classic rock, alternative rock, and progressive influences. I enjoy combining powerful instrumentation with strong melodies and lyrics that tell a story or capture a particular feeling.

What’s interesting is that my personality is actually much lighter than some of the music might suggest. I love to have fun, laugh, and not take myself too seriously. That’s one of the things I’ve always loved about Van Halen. There was this incredible musicianship, but also a sense that everyone was invited to the party. You couldn’t help but feel good listening to them.

Pink Floyd, on the other hand, had this amazing ability to tell deeply emotional, sometimes heartbreaking stories that people could connect with. I suppose I’m trying to find my own balance between those two worlds. I want the music to be honest about life’s struggles without losing that sense of hope, humor, and joy. If someone can listen to one of my songs, relate to the experience, and walk away feeling a little more hopeful, then I’ve accomplished something meaningful.

One thing that makes this project a little different is the way it came together. Rather than forming a traditional band and recording everyone in the same room, I approached it as a songwriter and producer with a clear creative vision, then brought in musicians from different parts of the world to help realize that vision. Modern technology has made that kind of collaboration possible, and I think it’s one of the most exciting developments for independent artists.

What I’m most proud of is that I actually finished the record. That might sound simple, but anyone who has spent years writing songs knows how easy it is to accumulate unfinished ideas. Taking 13 original songs from conception to completion, releasing them to the world, and being able to say that I created something that represents me artistically is incredibly satisfying.

I also take pride in maintaining ownership and creative control of my music. The Raised by Clowns catalog is entirely original, and I own the rights to the songs and recordings, which is particularly important as I pursue licensing opportunities in film, television, and other media.

As for what sets me apart, I think it’s a combination of experience, independence, and a willingness to keep learning. I’ve been around music for decades, but I don’t approach it as though I’ve figured everything out. I’m still experimenting, still refining my skills, and still excited when I discover a new sound, technique, or approach to writing.

If you had to, what characteristic of yours would you give the most credit to?
I would have to say persistence, along with a healthy sense of humor and the willingness to keep learning.

I’ve learned that creativity doesn’t necessarily operate on a schedule, and success rarely happens according to the timeline we imagine for ourselves. There have been plenty of times when it would have been easier to put music aside entirely, but that creative drive has never really gone away.

I also think it’s important not to become so consumed with achieving a particular goal that you forget why you started in the first place. I got into music because I loved it. I loved the sound of an electric guitar, the excitement of playing with other musicians, and the feeling of hearing a great song for the first time. Those things still excite me today.

And I try not to take myself too seriously. Life throws enough challenges at us without making everything a struggle. Sometimes you have to laugh at yourself, enjoy the process, and keep moving forward.

To me, songwriting is a lifelong pursuit. You’re never really finished learning, and there’s always another song waiting to be written. I think the secret is to stay curious, remain open to new ideas, and never lose the enthusiasm that got you started.

Ultimately, I don’t measure success solely by recognition or financial rewards. Being able to create something meaningful, share it with others, and still love doing it after all these years is a pretty good definition of success to me.

Contact Info:

• Website: http://www.raisedbyclowns.com
• Instagram: @raisedbyclownsband
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RaisedByClowns/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@Raisedbyclownsband
• Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/raisedbyclowns