Shem Thomas is a singer and songwriter from Switzerland. At the age of 30, Shem pulled the plug, quit his well-paying job, and lived as a hermit in an old VW bus in the woods to find himself. What initially recalls the Canadian film “Into the Wild” marked the beginning of a career as a professional musician. Shem Thomas started roaming as a street musician, performing in cities in Switzerland and Austria. In 2014, he participated in “The Voice of Switzerland,” where his voice and energetic performance captivated both the jury and the audience. He made it to the finals, secured a record deal with a major label, and his debut single “Crossroads” immediately reached number one on the charts, achieving gold status.
Shem Thomas’ debut album climbed to the second spot on the Swiss charts. Savvy marketing professionals advised him to focus on and stick to one style, but Shem, not knowing stagnation, deliberately chose not to limit himself. This led to the creation of his second album, “8,” in 2022, a wild mix of catchy melodies, electronically infused pop with autotune, and excursions into various musical realms, including reggae. What remains is Shem’s distinctive and touching voice—slightly rough, yet warm in timbre. His voice and charismatic live presence have made the Swiss singer-songwriter a welcome guest on both small and large stages in Switzerland and neighboring countries, for a decade. His last solo tour last fall was completely sold out.