Who is Tommy Fleece?

By Lillian Jones

Local Music Director

Although being from Detroit, MI, Tommy Fleece is a name that has become familiar in the central Texas area. Back in October of 2024, Hannah Baratang (@superh*llarad on Instagram) presented her second “thanks4existing” show — a recurring showcase of local and nationwide musical and visual artists happening at Mothership Studios in San Marcos. For the second showcase, Texas was introduced to Tommy Fleece! After a show, enjoyable for both the crowd and Tommy, he returned during SXSW week this year to play two shows — Scissor House in Austin and “thanks4existing III” at Mothership Studios. 

While I unfortunately missed his first Texas run, I became familiar with his music and online presence. Tommy Fleece creates a new and exciting electronic-pop sound as well as silly, sometimes uncomfortable, video content online. He’s an enticing person! Knowing he was returning, I jumped at the opportunity to talk to him one-on-one. 

You recently just started playing live shows, how has that been? 

I played in Detroit and then my first out of state show was New York. That was actually with The Dallas Cowboys as well. Gabby Start was supposed to play that, but something happened so we got Brightviolet to play it. Texas was my first like… out of town, on my own type show. Four shows, four days. It was scary, but a very fun adventure. 

Texas was insane! It was just me and my manager, Tim. We didn’t know where we were going to stay the first night, so we ended up getting a motel. We were just walkin’ around and I had all my stuff in a bag on my back. We got the motel for like $74 and the floors were made of plywood. They were half plywood, half drywall. Very crazy vibe. Seventy-four dollars. Can’t beat it! And then we roughed it again. We thought we could do it, but there were roaches and stains on the bed the second night. We couldn’t do it. Then a tour angel texted us and said, “Hey I have a spot for you if you need,” and that was that. 

Other than that, it was incredible. The shows were dope! The first show, I actually drank an entire bottle of Dayquil before I went on. So I was kind of sick from the Dayquil and then I was spinning on stage. So I got super sick and Tim was like, “Yeah you gotta slow up on the Dayquil.” Woke up the next morning and I’d sweat it all out. 

You just played in Pittsburgh at Hammer House, what’s the difference between the Detroit, Pennsylvania and Texas scenes? 

Texas I’d say is my favorite, because everyone knows how to dance here. That’s part of the scene. You dance! I haven’t played in Detroit in a couple years, so I don’t really know. But it’s more so like going crazy. Just losing your mind. In Pittsburgh, me and The Dallas Cowboys played in a tiny basement. I think Evan broke one of the boards when he jumped up. It was super sick. I’d say about 50 or 60 people were there. That was a great show. But Texas has been the craziest so far. 

How has posting videos on Instagram and YouTube affected your music career? 

Honestly, it’s interesting. I don’t really know yet. I’m about to drop the next album, so we’ll see after that. I’ve had a lot of cool opportunities and made a lot of cool friends. That’s how I got tapped in with Hannah, Loren and all those people!

It’s been weird because I’ve been doing that character. It’s just something I slip into sometimes and I always have for most of my life. So yeah I just wanted to display it more I guess. It’s a character, but I definitely don’t feel disingenuous. When I do that something happens — I don’t know what it is, but it’s always been like another side. Bryan [Tommy’s friend who was standing in the corner] has known me for like eight years, you know, it’s always been like this. First time we hung out, I was tweaking out. I threw him on the ground. 

Bryan: He suplexed me. On a baseball field. 

Yeah I don’t know why. I got a lot of energy. But I’m sorry about that Bryan, I didn’t mean it. 

It’s just something I gotta get out now. I’ve had times where it’s like… f*ck that is me. But now, I don’t know what happened, I feel like I just woke up. I’ve kind of been a normal guy for a little bit. I’m normal.

What is this recurring slime you keep eating in videos? 

That’s my hydro jelly! I make that stuff. So the hydro gel started out as a necessity because I don’t eat. I was taking my vitamins and I found out it would be easier if I crushed all of them up. Then I put them into a jello shot. But also there is one shot of vodka in there too. Because I get a little nervous. It’s all I need!

Who were your favorite Youtubers growing up? 

I didn’t necessarily watch YouTubers, I liked the skateboarding YouTube videos. I liked ReVive, Andy Shrock, Sam Taber, Chris Chan…oh… a different Chris Chan. I wasn’t very big on YouTube. I had a lot of restrictions, so I had to find other ways to entertain myself. 

What were those other ways? 

SpongeBob was a big one. I had these little finger dirt bikes that I used to play with quite a bit. Finger boarding. I didn’t think anyone else was into it until I met all these guys down here. They rip it up dude! Music eventually. 

Who are your biggest musical inspirations? 

Lil B, Bryan Lasky, The Dallas Cowboys, Caleb Peters, Rosevile Sucks. Like all of my friends. F*cking Reserv! Reserv for real is like my G.O.A.T! Henry, I just met him. Today. I’ve been listening to his music for a long time. I’m a big f*cking fan of him. 

I think my brain right now is trying not to be inspired by other artists’ sounds. I want to just like to listen to music. Just sitting down and making stuff is what inspires me. And like Lil B just doing stuff… he’s a freak, but like he stands for good sh*t. Maybe not right now — he’s a little insane! I’m sorry Lil B. If you’re reading this, I love you so much. You’re my G.O.A.T. Don’t curse me. 

I like Death From Above 1979 right now. I really like the band Orchid. But I like how they perform. I think that’s what is really inspiring. Just to see the crowd interact with them, what works for them and how aggressive everything is. Peace, love, unity and respect… but go crazy! That inspires me. 

What was your part of the process in “Short and Painless” with The Dallas Cowboys? 

I had made that for myself and I was just gonna put it out with no lyrics because I liked it so much. But I sent it to them and they came on it crazy. They sent it back in a day and I was like, “I gotta come correct on this,” after they went f*cking nutso on it. 

I was so excited and it was so cool! I’m such a big fan of theirs so for that to happen on that song… it was awesome. 

What is your music making process? 

The project I’m putting out next is insane. Very chaotic. Not a lot of thought going into anything. But there was one song, “I like the way your teeth sit”, and I just wrote that sh*t! It came out so easy. I think that’s one of the best ones. Also “Dj girl (spin that sh**)”, I made the entire song and I accidentally deleted it. I crashed out and cried. Freaked out and then remade the whole thing in one sitting. I just wanted to make something insanely gnarly and just terrible. Some sh*t you can freak out to in multiple different ways. 

Describe audio stars 2 in three words!

Live. As. F*ck. 

Or 

Loud. Loud. Loud. 

Any big goals for 2025? 

I don’t know! I feel like what’s happening in Texas is the truth. I think bringing forward my truth is something I want to do. Solid goals! I want to be on the radio… in my city! I want to play more shows with my friends, make my live set as good as possible and continue to make stuff that is just insane and new. 

Finally getting to see Tommy Fleece perform, it was clear how much he loves what he does! Every room he performs in is filled with dancing, smiles, and overall fun. If you have yet to listen to Tommy Fleece now is the time. His fourth album, audio stars 2, just released on March 14th and I’ve had it on repeat since!

Keep up with Tommy through his Instagram @tommysfleece