E.T.A. Mañana:
Interview with Tom Varley
By: Slade Ogletree
(Click on pictures in this article to expand)
I recently had a chance to visit with my good
friend, singer/songwriter Tom Varley. Tom is a frequent visitor to Baja,
though his professional life, as of late, has been somewhat hindering his
pursuit of happy hour. Tom has just released his second CD, E.T.A.
Mañana
and it has gone “Nationwide”. He is a true adventurer and free spirit,
and that clearly shows through in his music. An aspiring pilot and avid
sailor, Tom has logged thousands of miles in long ocean passages. A wise
man once said “If you could take a little Bob Marley, James Bond, Jimmy
Buffet, Chuck Barris (yes, of the Gong Show), put ‘em in a blender, the
concoction you’d pour out is Tom.” Here’s what he had to say…Ready, set,
go!!!
Reporter: Tom, the last time I saw you
was in La Paz about a year and a half ago, tell me a bit about what you’ve
been up to.
Varley: ...And how long is this
interview, Slade?! Ha ha.. I have toured - twice! - including numerous
shows on Catalina Island; crewed for my friend Capt. Marc (Wilson),
delivering a Catana 431 from Panama to San Diego - a few stories there!;
(finally) finished the long-awaited new album, “ETA: Mañana”; and now,
touring and promoting the album. And that’s only a bit of what I’ve been
up to!
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 Varley: “ETA: Mañana” was a four year
project, from the inception. That’s not too bad, considering I was
touring, then escaping in the winter, then touring, then escaping! Oh,
that is bad! (laughingly). But I think the extra time really gave the
album time to reach fruition. There are artists who pump out product, and
it sounds like the rest of their work. But this album and time it took -
worth the wait!
Reporter: You definite have a style
of your own, but I can see some obvious influences in your music, most
notably Jimmy Buffet. You both are sailors, musicians, and love to fly.
Do you ever worry about being labeled a clone?
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 Reporter: I know you well enough to know
that you’ve been having fun too. Tell me about that.
Varley:
The fun?! Let’s change the names to protect the innocent! (Just kidding!)
Let’s see... Helping Marc deliver the Catana from Panama was fun, arduous,
exciting, boring - mixed with a minor amount of debauchery! The people and
places, fresh Dorado, islands, potential DEA/CIA agents...all the fun of
third world countries! Truly, it was a great experience - especially the
52 knots in the Gulf of Tehaunaepec. Flat water and a catamaran? What more
can you ask for?!
Reporter: Remember us to a couple of solo all acoustic sets? You looked like you
were having so much fun…Have you had a chance to do that again?
Varley: Oh, the night at the Paradise
Found! I never - well, rarely - play acoustic solo shows, it’s always
with my band. And I have done that a few times since, and that’s how it
all started - just me and my guitar! Now, it’s hard to do without the
band!
Reporter: Anyone who has spent time in
Mexico, especially Baja, knows that “mañana” doesn’t necessarily mean
tomorrow. It means more like “not today”. With that in mind “ETA
Mañana”
is a very appropriate name for this CD. From start to finish, how long
did it really take to make it… from its inception to its release?
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Varley: Clone? Only if I’m cloned after a
sheep will I get worried. In all seriousness, I used to be concerned, but
I’ve realized that styles and influences will intersect. I went to a
reading of the author (and one of my favorites) Tim Dorsey about his style
being similar to Carl Hiaasen, and he stated, “It’s like paying homage to
those you respect.” I guess I share the same philosophy. My style is
definitely different, but the sound is similar.
Reporter: Who else do you consider to be
a major influence in your music?
 Varley: I really like most of the ‘70's
rock genre - that full, warm production; Jackson Browne, The Eagles,
Steely Dan, Bob Marley - of course Buffet. I like country music too.
George Strait, Alan Jackson; and the crossover guys like Dierks Bentley,
Keith Urban. As of lately, I’ve been listening to a lot of the new bossa
nova artists (i.e., Bebel Gilberto, Selso Fonseca).
Reporter:
In literature, one test of greatness is longevity, another is
innovation. In other words the piece was innovative then, but is it as
pertinent today as it was when it was written way back then. With that in
mind, who is/was the greatest musician or group under the umbrella of
rock\and roll\popular music?
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