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Rolo Tomassi

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This is an old revision of this page, as edited by Jonjonjohny (talk | contribs) at 23:33, 9 September 2013 (added sources the early and mid history. Expanded style into characteristics section). The present address (URL) is a permanent link to this revision, which may differ significantly from the current revision.

Rolo Tomassi
Rolo Tomassi performing at Slottsfjell Festival 2011 in Tunsberg, Norway. (left to right); Eva Spence, Edward Dutton, James Spence.
Background information
OriginSheffield, England
GenresMathcore, jazzcore, experimental rock, art punk
Years active2005 (2005)–present
LabelsDestination Moon, Holy Roar, Hassle
MembersEva Spence
James Spence
Chris Cayford
Nathan Fairweather
Edward Dutton
Past membersJoseph Thorpe
Joe Nicholson

Rolo Tomassi are a British mathcore band from Sheffield, England. Their name is taken from dialogue in the film L.A. Confidential. The band is known for their strong DIY ethic and chaotic style and performances.

The band released two albums on Hassle Records: Hysterics (2008) and the Diplo-produced Cosmology (2010). After creating their own record label Destination Moon in 2011 they released Eternal Youth, a compilation album of B-sides, remixes and rarities through-out their career. They released their third album Astraea (2012) with the first line-up change in their career.

History

Early years and the Mayday! label (2005-2008)

Shortly before the band formed. Eva Spence was in a small garage band for a few months as a keyboardist. The band wished to look for an aggressive vocalist to help make it a six piece band but she wished to give screaming a go.[1] To practice she and her brother, James Spence, would scream in their parents car with very loud music on; the music was to help ignore their shyness.[1] The two have collaborated in bands since they were both 13 years old.[1]

Rolo Tomassi formed in 2005, taking its name from a character in the 1997 neo-noir film L.A. Confidential.[2] When Rolo Tomassi formed they wished to keep the band as DIY as possible; they achieved this by hand making their first releases and organised a lot DIY shows.[3] Not long after forming, the band had written some songs and immediately began to perform at local venues/pubs to small crowds. At this time, the band released some of their first material on to a 3 Track Demo CD which they could sell at the shows they were performing at. The demo CD-R was released under James Spence's (keyboardist/vocalist) independent label which he named "Mayday!". There are 8 releases under this label. After a split EP with Mirror! Mirror! (limited to 333 copies and released through Speedowax) the band signed to Holy Roar Records and released a self-titled EP featuring re-recorded songs from previous demos and EPs along with new songs.

Hysterics and Cosmology (2008-2011)

In June 2008, Rolo Tomassi were given a spot at Download Festival.[4] In September the band released their debut album Hysterics. Supporting this release the band supported Pulled Apart By Horses in Britain and Jane's Addiction in the United States of America.[5]

In 2009 Rolo Tomassi started their "Subs Club" series, this was a series of 7" vinyls singles released every three months with a cover track and remixes.[6] In February and March of that year 'Rolo Tomassi supoported Fucked Up and The Bronx in the Shred Yr Face 2 tour.[6][3] Later in this year, they performed at South by Southwest festival.[1] This led to be an important performance in their career as they was watched by American producer Thomas Pentz, or better known by their stage name Diplo who would later name drop their performance in a Pitchfork Media interview[5][1] in the question "One Obscure Band You Think Should Be More Popular".[7] The band contacted him thinking he would do a remix for them but he responded by asking if they wanted him to produce their second album.[5] The band wished to wrap their album's completion round Diplo's schedule by writting the album in three months so that [1]

Rolo Tomassi performing at the Candem Crawl in 2010. (From left to right) Joe Nicholson, Eva Spence, Edward Dutton, James Spence and Joseph Thorpe.

Towards the end of October 2009, the band flew to Los Angeles to record their second album, in a studio which James considered "unassuming, a well hidden and fantastic place".[8] Artwork for their second album was, like Hysterics, designed by Simon Moody. Recording finished on 31 October and the album is due for release in March 2010. In May 2010 Cosmology was released. With a hope that Cosmology is a clear and definite progression from Hysterics[8] James Spence had felt they corrected the short-comings of the latter album.[5] Because it wasn't co-written by Diplo, like with his typical projects, he helped add flourishes to the album.[1] Diplo's influence on Eve Spence's developed vocal range has been noted. Because their producer had typically worked with female solo artists such as Bonde do Rolê, M.I.A. and Santigold, among others, he helped cross techniques from them over to Eva.[1][5][8] Particularly with demoing songs, where the band would write a demo and give it to Eva to sing and interpret in her own room for hours.[5]

The band played on the Ronnie James Dio Stage at Download Festival[9] and played on the NME/Radio 1 tent at Reading and Leeds in August 2010. James Spence commented on the Download show saying it was the biggest show of their career to date.[9] In the band's blog in June 2010 it was written that there may eventually be a Discography styled release in the future which will allows people to hear all of the bands material released before the Rolo Tomassi EP. On 7 August 2010 they played at the Hevy Music Festival near Folkestone, England. Throughout October and November 2010 Rolo Tomassi supported The Dillinger Escape Plan on their UK tour.[10] On 19 December 2010, the band planned to conclude the year with one free show at the Bloomsbury Ballroom in London and was to be filmed to be released as part of a documentary and live recording release from the band. However, the show was cancelled due to the ill health of Eva Spence and so a new UK Tour was announced for May.[11]

With the setting up of their own record label Destination Moon records Rolo Tomassi released Eternal Youth; an anthology of rare and non-album material including acoustic versions, remixes of their own work by various artists and a cover of Throats. This release was accompanied by a short list of tour dates across the UK in May 2011, these dates were confirmed to be the only tour date Rolo Tomassi would do in 2011.[12][13] On 8 July 2011, Rolo Tomassi headlined the Red Bull Bedroom Jam Stage at Sonisphere.[14] Rolo Tomassi has expressed interest in working with Anthony Gonzalez or Kurt Ballou respectively of M83 and Converge as producers for the third album. As of July James Spence has stated that the third album has not progressed far enough for them to search for producers.[14] James Spence also has stated that they, as of July have at least two songs created, with a lyrical concept that surfaces as focuses on self-reflection.[15]

Astraea (2012 – present)

Main article: Astraea (album)
Rolo Tomassi playing 2000 Trees, 2012

In an interview with Kerrang!, Eva Spence confirmed that the band are self-producing their third full-length with Hysterics producer Jason Sanderson. Regarding the sound of the album, she stated that it will be "more direct and heavier", but also noted that the band "will never shy away from being experimental". A May release date was initially projected.[16] In early February 2012 Rolo Tomassi announced the release of a new single: Old Mystics. The single was uploaded to the band's Facebook profile to stream for free. They plan to release the single on 26 March. The band announced a few days after releasing Old Mystics for streaming that it will most likely not appear on the new album and will just be a stand alone single.[17] Alongside the announcement of Old Mystics the band also announced that they have two brand new members following the departure of members Joseph Thorpe and Joe Nicholson. The band replaced both with Chris Cayford, current vocalist/former guitarist of No Coast, and Nathan Fairweather who plays in Brontide.[18] Eva Spence stated in an interview that Joe Nicholson wanted to pursue taking a chemistry degree at University, while Joe Thorpe's departure was more to do with personal differences.[17]

Rolo Tomassi completed their first tour of the year as the main support for Architects on a 14 date tour.[19] They have also stated that they are entering the studio to record their third album in June, with an October release date expected.[20] To support the album's October release Rolo Tomassi has projected a 11 date headline tour of the United Kingdom in late October with Oathbreaker and Goodtime Boys.[21] On 16 August 2012, the band announced that their new album would be titled Astraea, with the release date set to be 5 November.[22]

In May 2013 the band did a short British tour with Bastions, the band was noted for only costing five pound a ticket for all venues.[23] In September Rolo Tomassi performed on three out of the four dates of the Japanese touring festival Reverberation Festival.[24] On 31 August Rolo Tomassi headlined the first year of Bridgwater based music festival Morbid Mash Up which featured over 20 other bands.[25] In September and October, starting just three days after their Japanese performances Rolo Tomassi is doing a 13 date tour of Australia with Australian bands Totally Unicorn and Stockades.[26] It is the first time the band has been in the country since 2010.[27]

Characteristics

Musical style

Vocally, Eva Spence is described as having a soprano tone singing voice, however has "bi-polar" contrast between "fragile lullabies to blood-curdling scowls".

Their music has been difficult to classify simply because of the band's resistance to being identified with one single genre.[28] Described as "like a polished chrome King Crimson for the 21st Century"[29] they have typically been acknowledged as being mathcore,[5][30][31] a tag which summarises the theoretical complexity of their music, such as odd time signatures like 9/8 and 13/8.[32] and polyrhythmic drumming.[33] They have been identified as "falling somewhere between grindcore, progressive and alternative rock"[15] and have been categorised as experimental rock[5] Nintendocore,[31][34] post-metal,[30] progressive hardcore,[9][29][35][36] progressive rock[25] and screamo.[37][31] The band utilises two vocalists in their music, a quality which "immediately creates a rich and textured sonic world".[38] Eva Spence's vocal style was acknowledged by Michael Wilson of the BBC as bi-polar; swapping between "fragile lullabies to blood-curdling scowls".[39] Her singing voice is in a soprano vocal range and has been compared to the stylings of Alison Goldfrapp of Goldfrapp and Elizabeth Fraser of the Cocteau Twins.[40][41]

Their earlier work's primary elements are their use of jazz breakdowns and swapping chaotically between explosive mathcore, calm atmospheric experimental music and acid-jazz.[28][34][42] Their music is also noted for sharing traits with Nintendocore for the use of 8-bit synthesizers and in terms of chaos and sound.[34] The compilation album Eternal Youth by the band gave insight into their musical development since their inception in 2005 with their demos onto their latest b-side releases with Hassle records.

Their style developed further into their pop, ambient, shoegaze and space rock elements for their third album Astraea[29][43] and has been jokingly dubbed as cosmic-core.[44] For one of the b-sides from the album- Mezmerizer- New Musical Express journalist Hamish MacBain classed it as a "space rock ballad".[45] For the album, the band decided to base it's name on the goddess of the same name, a reference to the Spence siblings admiration for greek mythology and a desire to pick an title which made the album "sound big and like this proper body of work".[33] The non-album single 'Old Mystics' and the song from the album 'The Scales of Balance' both make reference to the "Golden Age" declared by Astraea.[33]

Influence

Rolo Tomassi's influences are said to range through screamo, classical, jazz and progressive rock.[46] Blood Brothers, Brian Eno, Cardiacs, jazz saxophonist John Coltrane, Converge, The Dillinger Escape Plan, female heavy metal vocalist Runhild Gammelsæter, King Crimson, The Locust and The Mars Volta are all considered influences on Rolo Tomassi's work.[36][5][2] Rolo Tomassi have noted how The Dillinger Escape Plan are a huge influence on the band, with Edward Dutton in an interview saying that "they’re one of the few stock bands that you can draw from one of the five of us".[10] The fractured structure of their songs are considered to be heavily influenced by The Mars Volta.[46] Ryan Bird of Rocksound cites At The Drive-in's album Relationship of Command as an influence on Rolo Tomassi's work, saying "opening the mainstream's mind toward fiercely confrontational, independent rock, it was unthought-of that a band like Rolo Tomassi could be successful pre-ROC [sic]."[47] James Spence wrote a guest blog on Clash Music writing about his interest in At The Drive-in saying it started with watching the video to One Armed Scissor: "I remember being captivated by the way they played and how much the guitarist, Omar, was freaking out. Almost like he was attacking his instrument. It resonated with me somewhat and I was intrigued by it."[48] He later commented on how the album influenced him by saying "The odd sounds, the samples, the weird, almost undecipherable lyrics."[48]

Live performances

The band's members have been called "insane hardcore acrobats" for their energetic live performances.[9] When James Spence commented on Rolo Tomassi's live performances he stated that he felt people who didn't listen to them typically enjoyed their live performances. and that "We just want people to enjoy us however they want to."[25]

When playing songs from their debut album Hysterics coming closer to their second album's release they played songs off it faster than originally recorded as their musicianship had improved greatly.[5] Because of the membership change and the wish to play older music at live performances; James Spence use to use guitar tablature and his own knowledge of the songs written to teach newer members Chris Cayford and Nathan Fairweather.[1]

Members

Current members
Past members
  • Joseph Thorpe - bass guitar (2005–2011)[18]
  • Joe Nicholson - guitar (2005–2011)[18]

Discography

Main article: Rolo Tomassi discography

References

  1. ^ a b c d e f g h i Paul Klotschkow. "Rolo Tomassi - Nottingham Culture - LeftLion". LeftLion. Retrieved 8 September 2013.
  2. ^ a b Jon O'Brien. "Rolo Tomassi | AllMusic". AllMusic. Rovi. Retrieved 14 May 2012.
  3. ^ a b "Interviews: Shred Yr Face 2: Eva Spence, Rolo Tomassi". Rock Sound. (Freeway Press). 16 February 2009. Retrieved 27 August 2013.
  4. ^ "Rolo Tomassi: new bands are more exciting than KISS | News". NME. 13 June 2008. Retrieved 12 December 2011.
  5. ^ a b c d e f g h i j John Doran (21 April 2010). "In Extremis | Diplo And Behold: A Rolo Tomassi Interview". The Quietus. Retrieved 9 September 2013. Only a great deal of hard graft can create an illusion of effortlessness and their combination of Cardiacs, Locust, King Crimson, Runhild Gammelsæter, Mars Volta and Brian Eno feels so natural it's almost as if the band are doing themselves a disservice by not acting like spoilt, pretentious avant-rock beasts.
  6. ^ a b "Rolo Tomassi Plan 7" Series". Rock Sound. (Freeway Press). 17 December 2008. Retrieved 27 August 2013.
  7. ^ Diplo (13 February 2009). "Guest Lists: Diplo". Pitchfork Media. Retrieved 10 September 2013.
  8. ^ a b c Slater, Luke (22 October 2009). "Rolo Tomassi working with Diplo for album two / Music News // Drowned In Sound". Drownedinsound. Retrieved 12 December 2011.
  9. ^ a b c d "Download 2010: Rolo Tomassi Play Biggest Show Ever". Rock Sound. (Freeway Press). 12 June 2010. Retrieved 27 August 2013.
  10. ^ a b Alex Ellis (2 November 2010). "Interview with Rolo Tomassi (02/11/10)". South Sonic. Retrieved 15 June 2010.
  11. ^ "Rolo Tomassi Confirm Last Show Of 2010". The Fly. 9 November 2010. Retrieved 28 April 2012.
  12. ^ Luke SLater (14 February 2011). "Rolo Tomassi confirm Eternal Youth release date and tour / Music News // Drowned In Sound". Drowned In Sound. Retrieved 12 June 2011.
  13. ^ "FREE STUFF!! Rolo Tomassi mp3 from forthcoming b-sides + rarities album, Eternal Youth". Thrash Hits. 14 April 2011. Retrieved 28 September 2011.
  14. ^ a b "Rolo Tomassi at Sonisphere: 'We'd love to make a record with M83 or Converge'". NME. 9 July 2011. Retrieved 28 September 2011.
  15. ^ a b Nico Davidson (27 July 2011). "Interview: Rolo Tomassi Sonisphere 2011". Sound Sphere Magazine. Retrieved 26 October 2011.
  16. ^ James McMahon, ed. (14 January 2012). "In the studio special - Rolo Tomassi". Kerrang! (1397). Bauer Media Group: page07. ISSN 0262-6624. {{cite journal}}: |pages= has extra text (help)
  17. ^ a b "Rolo Tomassi promise a 'hard-hitting' and 'more direct' third album". NME. 3 February 2012. Retrieved 4 February 2012.
  18. ^ a b c "Rolo Tomassi Unveil New Track Old Mystics', Announce New Members". This Is Fake DIY. 1 February 2012. Retrieved 1 February 2012.
  19. ^ "Architects and Rolo Tomassi announce UK headline tour". NME. 9 January 2012. Retrieved 24 April 2012.
  20. ^ Daniel Cliffe (22 April 2012). "Rolo Tomassi - Nottingham Culture". leftlion.co.uk. Retrieved 22 May 2012.
  21. ^ "Rolo Tomassi Confirm Autumn Tour Supports". This Is Fake DIY. 26 June 2012. Retrieved 17 July 2012.
  22. ^ "Rolo Tomassi detail release of 'Astraea'". Punktastic. 16 August 2012. Retrieved 16 August 2012.
  23. ^ "Rolo Tomassi Announce May Tour; Post New Video Online". Rock Sound. (Freeway Press). 8 March 2013. Retrieved 4 June 2013.
  24. ^ "残響アーティスト集結「残響祭」9月に4都市展開". Natalie (in Japanese). (Natasha, Inc.). 1 June 2013. Retrieved 1 July 2013. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |trans_title= ignored (|trans-title= suggested) (help)
  25. ^ a b c "Bridgwater's first ever Morbid Mash Up: prog-rockers Rolo Tomassi to headline". Bridgwater Mercury. (Newsquest Media). 13 August 2013. Retrieved 9 September 2013.
  26. ^ "Rolo Tomassi Announce Australian Tour". themusic.com.au. (Street Press Australia Pty). 13 June 2013. Retrieved 15 June 2013.
  27. ^ "Rolo Tomassi announce Australian tour". Kill Your Stereo. 12 June 2013. Retrieved 15 June 2013.
  28. ^ a b Phill Viles (21 April 2009). "This Is Nottingham:Rolo Tomassi review in Nottingham". This Is Nottingham. Retrieved 12 June 2011.
  29. ^ a b c John Doran (5 November 2012). "Reviews Rolo Tomassi Astraea". The Quietus. Retrieved 22 November 2012.
  30. ^ a b "A Rock Sound Guide To... Yorkshire Metal". Rock Sound (176). London: Freeway Press. August 2013. ISSN 1465-0185.
  31. ^ a b c Petteri Pertola (5 February 2013). "Rolo Tomassi - Astraea". Rock Freaks. Retrieved 11 August 2013. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  32. ^ Martin Dalziel (6 May 2013). "Review: Rolo Tomassi at Beat Generator Live". The Courier. D. C. Thomson & Co. Retrieved 19 may 2013. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help)
  33. ^ a b c Adam Bychawski (27 November 2012). "The Scales of Balance: Rolo Tomassi". Clash Music. Retrieved 9 June 2013.
  34. ^ a b c Sean Reid (19 May 2010). "Alter The Press!:Album Review:Rolo Tomassi - Cosmology". Alter The Press!. Retrieved 15 June 2011.
  35. ^ Darren Tayor, ed. (January 2013). "Top 50 Albums of the year". Rock Sound (169). London: Freeway Press: 19. ISSN 1465-0185. Holding onto their tagged prog-core style, the sheffielders have managed to weave their eclectic influences into a more cohesive and flowing work here. It's everything we love then for, done better.
  36. ^ a b Dean Brown (18 April 2012). "Architects + Rolo Tomassi + Stray From the Path: 6 April 2012 - Dublin, Ireland". Pop Matters. (Buzz Media). Retrieved 24 April 2012.
  37. ^ by Ben Lawrence (19 July 2013). "The best ways to make the most of the heatwave while it lasts". Gigwise. Retrieved 11 August 2013.
  38. ^ Pieter J Macmillan. "Rolo Tomassi - Astraea / Releases / Releases // Drowned In Sound". Drowned In Sound. Retrieved 22 November 2012.
  39. ^ Michael Wilson (10 April 2012). "Architects, Rolo Tomassi - Speakeasy, Belfast". BBC. Retrieved 24 April 2012.
  40. ^ Noel Gardner (31 October 2012). "Three albums in, the Sheffield five-piece remain a remarkably singular band". BBC Music. (BBC). Retrieved 22 November 2012.
  41. ^ http://sudsonbleeker.com/index.php/tag/rolo-tomassi//
  42. ^ Camilla Pia (19 May 2010). "BBC - Music - Review of Rolo Tomassi - Cosmology". BBC Music. Retrieved 14 November 2010.
  43. ^ "Rolo Tomassi / New Album Reviews / Music News from THE FLY - The UK's Most Popular Music Magazine". The Fly. (MAMA Group). 2 November 2012. Retrieved 22 November 2012.
  44. ^ Jamie Otsa (25 October 2012). "Rolo Tomassi – Astraea [ALBUM] Review". Ourzone Magazine. Retrieved 22 November 2012.
  45. ^ Hamish MacBain (7 February 2012). "Rolo Tomassi - 'Old Mystics': A face-melting firecracker". New Music Express. (IPC Media). Retrieved 9 June 2013.
  46. ^ a b Barry Nicolson (31 October 2008). "NME Live Reviews - Rolo Tomassi". NME. Retrieved 13 February 2012.
  47. ^ Ryan Bird (11 October 2011). Darren Tayor (ed.). "Hall Of Fame: 'Relationship Of Command' Spitting in the face of popularity, At The Drive-In laid nu-metal to rest with this white hit hardcore classic". Rock Sound (153): pages48-49. {{cite journal}}: |access-date= requires |url= (help); |pages= has extra text (help)
  48. ^ a b James Spence (25 April 2013). "Rolo Tomassi Talk Relationship Of Command". Clash Music. Retrieved 9 June 2013.

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