TLOBF Interview // Rolo Tomassi

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After a few years of putting self releasing CD-R’s and the odd EP, Rolo Tomassi finally broke through with their benchmark 2008 release Hysterics. Two years on, their new album, Cosmology, is released this week and the band look set to take their unique brand of synth-driven experimental hardcore to a whole new level. Ahead of a busy summer schedule of touring, we spoke to James from the band about touring with Biffy clyro, making an album in L.A. and working with Diplo.

How are you? What have you been upto?
Very well thanks! Our new record came out yesterday so I’ve been checking how everything is with that and just taking it easy. Everything was well hectic in the lead up to the release so it’s nice to have a slight chance for a breather now the record is out.

Oh yes, Cosmology – how do you feel about it? What can we expect?
I have a huge wave of relief. It feels like we’ve been waiting FOREVER to release it and to finally have it readily available for people to buy is great. The feedback so far has been super positive and we’re all still really happy with the record. In terms of what you can expect, just go buy and be surprised!

You’ve just finished touring with Biffy Clyro – how was the experience for you?
It was a great opportunity to have and a really cool tour. We were treated really well as the opening support and got on with both bands who were brilliant every night. Obviously we were playing to a lot of people who had probably never heard our band before and maybe we weren’t to everyone’s tastes but the crowds were receptive and seemed down with it.

And what was it like working with Diplo? Do you think he’s had a major influence on how the album shaped up?
Working in LA with Diplo was something I don’t think we’ll ever forget. He brought in a bunch of amazing people to help make the record and gave us a really productive working environment. I don’t think he particularly influenced the way the songs sound as we had them written before we went into the studio but the album is the best sounding recording we’ve ever done and that’s down to his involvement.

You’re still working with the amazing Hassle records. Was this a purposeful decision by the band? What drew you to the label in the first place?
We were aware of the other bands they’d put out and wanted to make a step up to a bigger label when we decided to go full time with our band, just before the release of Hysterics.

One of the major perks of recording must’ve been being able to spend time in L.A. Did you get to see the sights and enjoy yourself, or was it purely work?
We did get a couple of days to explore. We were very fortunate in that an American housemate of my girlfriend put us in touch with someone over there. We went to a houseparty and met some folk who were amazing and took us round in their car to various parties and shows when we weren’t recording. LA is so big that we would hardly have seen anything if it wasn’t for them. Erik from HORSE the band took me, Ed and Eva up to the Hollywood sign one night too. That ruled.

You’re playing quite a few festivals this summer – are there any in particular that you’re looking forward to?
We’re excited to be playing festivals in general, but if I had to pick one it’d have to be Leeds which we got to announce today . I’ve been going to that festival since I was 13 and to have the chance to play it is literally dream come true.