Rolo Tomassi
Rolo Tomassi | |
---|---|
Background information | |
Origin | Stocksbridge, Sheffield, England |
Genres | |
Years active | 2005 | –present
Labels | |
Members | Eva Korman James Spence Chris Cayford Nathan Fairweather Al Pott |
Past members | Joseph Thorpe Joe Nicholson Edward Dutton Tom Pitts |
Rolo Tomassi are a British
The band released two albums on
History
Early years and the Mayday! label (2005–2008)
Shortly before the band formed, Eva Korman (née Spence) was in a small garage band for a few months as a keyboardist. The band was looking for an aggressive vocalist to help make it a six piece band, so Eva stepped up to give screaming a go.[2] To practice she and her brother, James Spence, would scream in their parents' car, with very loud music on; the music was to help overcome their shyness.[2] The two have collaborated in bands since they were both 13 years old.[2]
Rolo Tomassi formed in February 2005 in the town of
One of their first concerts was supporting Bring Me the Horizon in February 2005 at the Classic Rock Bar in Sheffield.[7]
Hysterics and Cosmology (2008–2011)
In June 2008, Rolo Tomassi were given a spot at
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
Towards the end of October 2009, the band flew to
The band played on the
With the setting up of their own record label Destination Moon records Rolo Tomassi released
Astraea (2012–2013)
In an interview with Kerrang!, Eva Korman confirmed that the band were self-producing their third full-length with Hysterics producer Jason Sanderson. Regarding the sound of the album, she said that it would be "more direct and heavier", but also noted that the band would "never shy away from being experimental". A May release date was initially projected.[20] 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. Release of the single was scheduled for 26 March. The band announced a few days after releasing "Old Mystics" for streaming that it would probably not appear on the new album, but just be a stand-alone single.[21] Alongside the announcement of "Old Mystics" the band also announced that they had two brand new members following the departure of Joseph Thorpe and Joe Nicholson. Their replacements were Chris Cayford, current vocalist and former guitarist of No Coast, and Nathan Fairweather who plays in Brontide.[22] Eva Spence said 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.[21]
Rolo Tomassi completed their first tour of the year as the main support for Architects on a 14 date tour.[23] They also stated that they were entering the studio to record their third album in June, with an October release date expected.[24] To support the album's October release Rolo Tomassi projected an 11 date headline tour of the United Kingdom in late October with Oathbreaker and Goodtime Boys.[25] On 16 August 2012, the band announced that their new album would be titled Astraea, with the release date set to be 5 November.[26]
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.[27] On 31 August Rolo Tomassi headlined the first year of Bridgwater based music festival Morbid Mash Up which featured over 20 other bands.[28] In September Rolo Tomassi performed on three out of the four dates of the Japanese touring festival Reverberation Festival.[29] In September and October, starting just three days after their Japanese performances Rolo Tomassi completed a 13 date tour of Australia with Australian bands Totally Unicorn, Safe Hands and Stockades.[30] It marked the first time the band had been in the country since 2010.[31]
Grievances and Time Will Die And Love Will Bury It (2014– 2019)
Throughout most of 2014 the band was dormant in writing new songs for a fourth album to succeed Astraea. In mid September the band announced a three date tour in the UK with Brontide, their album being released next year and that they are releasing a split EP with Stockades.[32]
The group's fourth full-length album,
In 2017 they had a minimal tour schedule which features appearances at the
Rolo Tomassi's fifth album Time Will Die And Love Will Bury It was released on 2 March 2018 on Holy Roar Records. It was recorded, like Grievances, at The Ranch in Southampton with Lewis Johns as producer.[36][39] It was accompanied by a tour through the UK and Europe through March and April.[35] The album was well received by critics, with review aggregator Metacritic giving the album a score of 92/100, making it the second highest rated album of 2018.[40]
The band has performed at a series of European festivals across the summer period, a six date UK tour in November with Blood Command and Cassus,[41] and will be touring the US in November and December again supporting The Number Twelve Looks Like You.[42]
Eva Spence featured on The Number Twelve Looks Like You song "Of Fear" from their 2019 comeback album, Wild Gods, though in the physical album inlay she is listed under the name Eva Korman.[43]
Where Myth Becomes Memory (2020–present)
On 8 September 2020, the band confirmed that they had ended their relationship with Holy Roar Records in light of allegations of sexual misconduct against the label's owner, Alex Fitzpatrick.[44]
In recording of their new album Where Myth Becomes Memory, the band except for Korman recorded at The Ranch in Southampton; whilst Korman, now living in Bergen County, New Jersey, recorded her vocal tracks at Brady Street Recordings nearby.[45][7]
On 17 August 2021, Rolo Tomassi released a new single "Cloaked", along with the announcement that the band had signed to
Characteristics
Musical style
Their music has been difficult to classify simply because of the band's resistance to being identified with one single genre.
The band utilises two vocalists in their music, a quality which "immediately creates a rich and textured sonic world".[60] Eva Spence's vocal style was acknowledged by Michael Wilson of the BBC as bi-polar; swapping between "fragile lullabies to blood-curdling scowls".[61] 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.[62][63]
Their earlier work – such as
Their style developed further into their
Their next three albums have been seen by the band as belonging to a trilogy.[68]
In contrast to the lighter tone developed on Astraea, their fourth album
Influences
Rolo Tomassi's influences are said to range through
Live performances
The band's members have been called "insane hardcore acrobats" for their energetic live performances.
When playing songs from their debut album Hysterics coming closer to their second album's release, they played songs from it faster than originally recorded as their musicianship had improved greatly.[9] Because of the membership change and the wish to play older music at live performances, James Spence used guitar tablature and his own knowledge of the songs written to teach newer members Chris Cayford and Nathan Fairweather.[2] In 2018 drummer Tom Pitts noted how the live shows were more unconventional and "punky" in the tempo of the gigs when he first joined in 2014, however the band in recent years is focused more precision and started playing with a clicker as he drums.[39]
Band members
Current members
- Eva Korman – lead vocals (2005–present)
- James Spence – backing and lead vocals, keyboards, piano, synthesizers (2005–present)
- Chris Cayford – guitar (2012–present)
- Nathan Fairweather – bass guitar (2012–present)
- Al Pott – drums (2018–present)
Former members
- Joseph Thorpe – bass guitar (2005–2011)[22]
- Joe Nicholson – guitar (2005–2011)[22]
- Edward Dutton – drums (2005–2013)
- Tom Pitts – drums, backing vocals (2014–2018)
Timeline
Discography
Studio albums
- Hysterics (2008)
- Cosmology (2010)
- Astraea (2012)
- Grievances(2015)
- Time Will Die and Love Will Bury It (2018)
- Where Myth Becomes Memory (2022)
References
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- ^ Clash Music. Retrieved 21 November 2017.
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- ^ a b "Interviews: Shred Yr Face 2: Eva Spence, Rolo Tomassi". Rock Sound. (Freeway Press). 16 February 2009. Archived from the original on 2 December 2013. Retrieved 27 August 2013.
- ^ Noisey. Retrieved 7 September 2017.
- ^ a b Winwood, Ian (17 November 2021). "Rolo Tomassi: A kind of magic". Kerrang!. Retrieved 3 February 2022.
- ^ "Rolo Tomassi: new bands are more exciting than KISS | News". NME. 13 June 2008. Retrieved 12 December 2011.
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- ^ a b "Rolo Tomassi Plan 7" Series". Rock Sound. (Freeway Press). 17 December 2008. Archived from the original on 3 December 2013. Retrieved 27 August 2013.
- Pitchfork Media. Retrieved 10 September 2013.
- ^ Drownedinsound. Archived from the originalon 7 October 2012. Retrieved 12 December 2011.
- ^ a b c d "Download 2010: Rolo Tomassi Play Biggest Show Ever". Rock Sound. (Freeway Press). 12 June 2010. Archived from the original on 21 December 2010. Retrieved 27 August 2013.
- ^ a b Ellis, Alex (2 November 2010). "Interview with Rolo Tomassi (02/11/10)". South Sonic. Archived from the original on 27 August 2011. Retrieved 15 June 2010.
- ^ "Rolo Tomassi Confirm Last Show Of 2010". The Fly. 9 November 2010. Retrieved 28 April 2012.
- ^ Slater, Luke (14 February 2011). "Rolo Tomassi confirm Eternal Youth release date and tour / Music News // Drowned In Sound". Drowned In Sound. Archived from the original on 17 March 2011. Retrieved 12 June 2011.
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- ^ 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.
- ^ 残響アーティスト集結「残響祭」9月に4都市展開 [The four cities expand reverberation artists gathered "reverberation Festival" in September]. Natalie (in Japanese). (Natasha, Inc.). 1 June 2013. Retrieved 1 July 2013.
- themusic.com.au. (Street Press Australia Pty). 13 June 2013. Retrieved 15 June 2013.
- ^ "Rolo Tomassi announce Australian tour". Kill Your Stereo. 12 June 2013. Archived from the original on 14 December 2013. Retrieved 15 June 2013.
- ^ "Rolo Tomassi Announce Small October Tour". Kerrang!. Bauer Media Group. 12 September 2014. Retrieved 6 October 2014.
- ^ Davenport, James (31 August 2017). "Rolo Tomassi announce only UK headline show of 2017". Punktastic. Archived from the original on 7 September 2017.
- ^ a b Ackroyd, Stephen (31 August 2017). "Rolo Tomassi have announced their only UK headline show of 2017". Upsetmagazine. Archived from the original on 7 September 2017. Retrieved 7 September 2017.
- ^ a b Eede, Christian (6 November 2017). "Rolo Tomassi Announce New Album". The Quietus. Retrieved 21 November 2017.
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- ^ Dedman, Remfry (7 November 2017). "Rolo Tomassi, The Borderline, gig review: A savage and sublime display from one of the UK's most singular bands". The Independent. Retrieved 21 November 2017.
- ^ "The Number Twelve Looks Like You Announce "Nuclear. Sad. Nuclear." 12th Anniversary Tour". The PRP. 27 September 2017. Retrieved 21 November 2017.
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- ^ "Best Music and Albums for 2018". Metacritic. Retrieved 11 November 2018.
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- ^ Kennelty, Greg (19 September 2018). "The Number Twelve Looks Like You Announces U.S. Dates With Rolo Tomassi". Metal Injection. Retrieved 9 November 2018.
- ^ "The NoXII Looks Like You* – Wild Gods". Discogs. 20 September 2019. Retrieved 8 September 2020.
- ^ Redrup, Zach (8 September 2020). "NEWS: Rolo Tomassi leave Holy Roar Records!". Retrieved 8 September 2020.
- ^ a b Mills, Matt (2 February 2022). "Masters of heaviness Rolo Tomassi: 'I've never expected music to offer me a living'". The Guardian. Retrieved 3 February 2022.
- ^ Weaver, James (19 August 2021). "Rolo Tomassi release new music video for 'Cloaked'". Distorted Sound. Retrieved 19 August 2021.
- ^ Breihan, Tom (10 November 2021). "Rolo Tomassi – "Drip"". Stereogum. Stereogum Media. Retrieved 12 January 2022.
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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.
- ^ Buzz Media). Retrieved 24 April 2012.
- ^ Lawrence, Ben (19 July 2013). "The best ways to make the most of the heatwave while it lasts". Gigwise. Retrieved 11 August 2013.
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- ^ Gardner, Noel (31 October 2012). "Three albums in, the Sheffield five-piece remain a remarkably singular band". BBC Music. (BBC). Retrieved 22 November 2012.
- ^ "Rolo Tomassi – "Cosmology" Album Review". Archived from the original on 21 February 2014. Retrieved 15 February 2013.
- ^ Pia, Camilla (19 May 2010). "BBC – Music – Review of Rolo Tomassi – Cosmology". BBC Music. Retrieved 14 November 2010.
- MAMA Group). 2 November 2012. Archived from the originalon 6 November 2012. Retrieved 22 November 2012.
- ^ Otsa, Jamie (25 October 2012). "Rolo Tomassi – Astraea [ALBUM] Review". Ourzone Magazine. Retrieved 22 November 2012.
- IPC Media). Retrieved 9 June 2013.
- ^ a b c d Rogers, Jack (1 February 2022). "Rolo Tomassi's James Spence: "If Your Aim Isn't To Be Your Own Favourite Band, What's The Point?" – Features". Rock Sound Magazine. Retrieved 3 February 2022.
- ^ a b Nicolson, Barry (31 October 2008). "NME Live Reviews – Rolo Tomassi". NME. Retrieved 13 February 2012.
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- ^ Longhurst, Jake (3 February 2022). "Interview: Rolo Tomassi". Impact. Archived from the original on 3 February 2022. Retrieved 5 February 2022.
External links
Media related to Rolo Tomassi at Wikimedia Commons