We’ve been lauding one of our favorite UK hardcore acts Rolo Tomassi for quite some time now, so we’re incredibly excited to offer up an exclusive interview with the group right here on Cannibal Cheerleader.
CC: Tell us about how the band formed and how you came into your unique sound. What are your biggest influences? RT:We formed out of a neccessity to have fun. We were aged between 14 and 16 and enjoyed making music together. As our tastes had changed we wanted to reflect that in musical output so we formed Rolo Tomassi. I think the sound just came about from listening to all sorts of different hardcore. Bands like Dillinger Escape Plan and At The Drive In have always been hugely influential to our sound but more recently everyone has gone off in their own directions and tangents musically.
This interview also coincides with an exciting announcement: Cannibal Cheerleader will be issuing our third zine edition this March to coincide with SXSW! You’ll be able to read the full spread in the zine, as well as interviews with other exciting acts and independent articles on a variety of subjects. What, don’t have issues #1 or #2 yet? Email me at cannibalcheerleader@gmail.com and I’ll try and mail you one (fair warning, in exchange you’ll have to send me an article I can stick on the site)! Until then, check out more of our Rolo Tomassi interview below and be prepared to check this band out when they step across the pond for SXSW ‘09.
******************************************************************** TRYOUTS: BALMORHEA’S ALL IS WILD, ALL IS SILENT
With the official release of their third LP creeping closer, Austin act Balmorhea’sAll Is Wild, All Is Silent quietly found its way onto popular mp3 sites, instantly lighting up download clients the world over and becoming one of the most wildly popular music torrents literally overnight. For a group basing their sound on delicate layering and hushed melodies, the fervor surrounding this release might come as quite the shock – even given their status as a cult-favorite the remains a neo-classical post-rock band. However, the hype is more than warranted, as the material presented on All Is Wild eclipses Balmorhea’s previous work to such a degree as to argue past releases were only building momentum to this monumental awakening. The album conjures images of the haunting glow of a dying campfire, shining in the reverent blackness of a nighttime forest as the world envelopes you from all around. Never ones to rely on repetition for effect, the band conjures tunes that flit wildly in different directions, sometimes within the span of a single song, darting from terse violin strains to soulful vocal refrains to lilting piano chords then back again. The album’s title describes its content perfectly, a wonderful dichotomy between chaotic instrumental strains and intense minimalism, both of which speak to the sincerity of the music and make for a fantastic headphone listen. Captain of the cheerleading squad for 2009 thus far.
On another note, be sure and check out our All Is Wild, All Is Silent preview video, featured below, which shows off the energy that these songs capture live.
Also of interest to Balmorhea fans will be the fact that this song recorded below and originally “Untitled” has been since renamed “Remembrance” and recorded officially for this album. Watch it again below.
Here’s more of our Rolo Tomassi interview – you can check out the entire interview in our new edition of the Cannibal Cheerleader Magazine, out during SXSW here in Austin.
CC: How would you describe your music to the uninitiated? Have you ever heard descriptions of your music that seemed way off base? RT: We all recently decided that the term we’re happiest with is ‘progressive hardcore’. I think we’ll always have our hardcore roots but the sound has evolved from there and in that sense become progressive. I think a lot of current bands would be keen to shy away from ‘prog’ as a label but we like it. I can’t stand being called spazzcore.
CC: What’s it like being in a band whose popularity seems to be growing everyday? Is all the press exciting or daunting? Is it hard to stay focused on the music amongst the image politics of today’s music press? RT: It’s really exciting. We’re just incredibly happy that we can keep touring more and more extensively and have the opportunity to come over and play events like SXSW. Whilst sometimes it is easy to get caught up in the press side of things it never detracts from us making music or staying focused on the fact that we are a band!
CC: Which scene does Rolo Tomassi belong to? Metal? Punk? Some crossover or none of the above? Do music classifications help or hinder a band like yours? RT: We belong in a community of bands who tour hard and help each other out. Its more about the people than bands sounding similar. I believe any band can be seriously hindered but specific classification musically. As soon as you say we’re ‘X’ kind of band, you immediately exclude people who don’t like that kind of music.
CC: What is it to ‘make it’ as a band? When can you say you’ve achieved your goals? RT: It completely depends what you want out of it. I long surpassed any goals I had for this band and we’re on a constant bonus round right now. As long as we can keep touring at the frequency we do and visit more new countries I’ll be happy.
NEW BAND CHEER: ROLO TOMASSI Ripping and snarling their way out of Sheffield, UK, prog-punksters and mathcore musicians Rolo Tomassi astounded us recently with their combination of hardcore punk shrieks and guitar manipulation the likes of which we’ve never heard. Imagine the music of Mars Volta, throw in the wails and vocal bizarreness of Ponytail, apply the thrash elements of Converge liberally, and wrap it up with Be Your Own Pet as the bow on top and that’s Rolo in a nutshell. Helmed by Eva Spence and quickly becoming an infamous live act over the pond, this quintet of youngsters is sure to make waves over in the States soon on the strength of their new LP Hysterics. Check out a sample below and let us know what you think!
Rolo Tomassi – “Scabs” ******************************************************************** HOWLING BELLS DEBUT NEW SINGLEBack in 2006 a little indie quartet of indie kids by the name of Howling Bells who had departed from their home country of Australia in order to make it big in the teeming London scene only two years before released a melancholic, dark, and pulsating moodswing of a self-titled debut that set the blogs ablaze. On the heels of hit single “Low Happening” HB toured extensively, supporting the likes of the Killers, before diving back into the studio. Few details emerged from within but recently, Howling Bells posted a new track “Into the Chaos” on their Myspace from their forthcoming second album Radio Wars. A little bit synthier but no less enigmatic and moody than its predecessor. Head on over to the band’s page and give it a listen now! Here’s the band’s video for their hit single below. Hoping to hear more from these guys soon!
