Sad news from the emo world.
Tom Diaz, founding member and original vocalist for the band The World Is A Beautiful Place & I Am No Longer Afraid To Die, abbreviated as TWIABP, has passed away. He was 32.
The band posted a statement on Facebook which reads:
“We are incredibly heartbroken about the passing of Tom Diaz. He was an extremely talented artist, with such a huge amount of musicality. On top of all of that, he was an incredible friend.
Tom was in the band from 2009-2012, and we deeply cherish the times we got to share with him. I’m sure anyone could attest to his kind and loving nature.”
Diaz’s family requested the band that they “would appreciate donations to the Friends of Assisi Food Pantry in Danielson, CT.”
Diaz was a founding member of the ever fluctuating emo/indie band, creating it back in 2009. He appeared on the band’s earliest discography, singing and playing keys on the EPs Formlessness, Josh Is Dead, a split with Deep Leap called Are Here To Help You which was released by Topshelf Records (A Great Big Pile Of Leaves, Prawn, Slingshot Dakota) and the Run For Cover Records (American Pleasure Club, Citizen, mewithoutYou) compilation Mixed Signals which featured Polar Bear Club, Make Do And Mend, Balance And Composure, Hostage Calm, and The Menzingers. He departed the group in 2012 and was replaced by current vocalist David F. Bello.
Bello released his own statement about Diaz:
“Six years ago this month I started on a path Tom created and I will continue to think of him and love him every time I hear or sing his words and live amongst our friends. [“Gig Life”] was one of my favorite songs before I ever sang it after him or ever even thought I ever would. I know he wrote so many, but [“Gig Life”] is important to me because it’s about the life he gave me. Rest in peace, my friend.”
Since Diaz’s departure, the group have signed to Epitaph Records (The Frights, Obey The Brave, Quicksand) and have released two albums with the label, their newest one being 2017’s Always Foreign.
Punk Goes Prenatt 