Your Gracious Host is an indie pop/rock outfit led by Tom Curless. Bursting onto the national music scene as the drummer for the Chicago based pop band Autoliner, Curless has been a lifelong musician and devotee of popular music since he was old enough to walk.

Growing up sitting in front of the family stereo listening to his older sister’s record collection made a strong impression at an early age and created a passion which continues to this day. Starting as a drummer, Curless played in various bands throughout high school and college but did not get really serious about music until he landed in Chicago in the mid 90’s.

Curless’ first major Chicago band Autoliner/Life on Mars released two records on the independent Parasol label in Champaign, IL and gained national attention, with rave reviews in The Chicago Tribune, Sun Times, All music.com, and a host of others. They received radio play on WXRT in Chicago and WNEW in New York, as well as playing shows in Los Angeles and House of Blues in Chicago. Tom had a hand in writing many of the songs, as well as contributing vocals, drums and guitar.

After the demise of Autoliner , Tom spent time in two different bands but during this time he continued to write and demo his new songs. Finally he decided to go his own way and record this material solo, handling all the instruments and vocals himself. The start of these sessions gave birth to the idea of Your Gracious Host. Curless then moved to Michigan and created a home studio where he writes and records, as well as recording in studios in Chicago and Ann Arbor. In 2008 the self titled double disc was released which amassed four years of songs and recordings. The positive reaction to the debut helped to launch YGH in style and Curless has not looked back since.

Your Gracious Host has released four records over the last five years, (the most recent being 2012’s 1 UP 2DOWN ) and has been slowly but surely gaining a loyal fan base all over the world through the internet radio, reviews , live shows and word of mouth. Compared over the years to the likes of XTC, The Shins, Teenage Fanclub, Elliott Smith, The Posies, Shoes, and Guided by Voices, YGH music welcomes these esteemed comparisons and brings home a quality that has created a solid cult following for this Midwestern pop/rock outfit.

Look for a new record in Spring 2013!
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