Reliant Tom is a Brooklyn-based indie alt pop band formed by songwriter & dancer Claire Cuny, in co-partnership with producer & sound artist Monte Weber.
The pair met in 2015 at a dance theatre show in Brooklyn where Claire was performing. After the performance Monte introduced himself and they immediately connected, talking of music, dance, and art. Monte was getting his Masters in music theory and composition at NYU, and Claire was dancing in projects and singing in bands throughout the city. The mix of their very different musical backgrounds and love for exploration & experimentation create the unique sound that is Reliant Tom. They consider each album/project an opportunity to explore new sounds.whether it’s the industrial art rock noise of Bad Orange (2018), the dark and introspective world of Play & Rewind (2020) or their latest 90s alt inspired single When We Were Young (2021). Currently Reliant Tom is gearing up to share their latest endeavor, full length album "dancer in the dark” as a series of singles. The band has expressed that "dancer in the dark" will be a warm hug of nostalgia through a modern lens. In the meantime, be on the lookout for a Reliant Tom live shows in your city! Reliant Tom offers a unique live show experience with dancers, glowing orbs, nostalgic tube TVs with video art & original music.
Claire Cuny was born and raised in Fort Worth, TX. She first nurtured her love of music through studying Classical ballet under Alexander Vetrov and Paul Mejia. She went on to study dance at the college level at SMU, expanding her training in different styles of movement, and wholeheartedly connected with the concepts of the Martha Graham technique. After graduation, she moved to NYC in hopes of pursuing more dance work but somehow found herself singing in dive bars across the city. She unexpectedly fell in love with the local music scene. She taught herself simple chords on an old casio a friend had given her, and at night she'd write songs for herself. When she met Monte he was so encouraging and she slowly started to share song ideas. Monte also encouraged Claire to incorporate movement into this new burgeoning project of theirs that eventually became Reliant Tom. Up until that point her music and her dance projects had always been so separate, Claire was so inspired to have a project that was so open to new ideas. Today she is preparing to release a new body of work through Reliant Tom called, "dancer in the dark."
Monte Weber is a sound artist and electronic musician based in Brooklyn NY. Weber’s work centers around interactive technology and computer assisted compositional processes, using these tools to explore live physical performance and sound creation in the concert hall and beyond. Weber graduated from NYU Steinhardt under the guidance of legendary electronic artist Morton Subotnick and avant-garde vocal pioneer Joan La Barbara. In fall 2016, Weber continued his research in computer music at Ircam where he created a live composition tool called Kontrol- a physical performance instrument using an assortment of tactile controllers. While in Paris Monte studied composition with composer Marc Battier focusing on electro acoustic music.
Notable collaborations include: acclaimed members of International Contemporary Ensemble, culminating in performances at Lincoln Center's Mostly Mozart concert series and National Sawdust BK. Weber music can be heard in concert venues, museums, bars and art galleries throughout the United States. ​
