British mathcore band Rolo Tomassi are just about to embark on a return tour of Australia. We caught up with founding member James Spence ahead of the tour to talk about their latest album Grievances.

SCENEzine
How’s 2016 been for you?

James Spence
Good so far thanks. We did quite a lot of touring earlier in the year and have had a bit of time off over the summer which has been nice. Most of the year has been building up to our impending tour of Australia and Japan.

SCENEzine
Congrats on your newest album Grievances it sounds awesome! Looking back a year on are you stoked with how it turned out?

James Spence
Yeah I’m still really pleased with it. There’s nothing I’m tired of playing live yet anyway! Its been a lot of fun bringing the record to life at shows.

SCENEzine
Can you tell us a bit about the cover art for the album?

James Spence
The cover art was done by our close friend Simon Moody (www.linedwithghosts.com) who has been responsible for all the art for our studio albums. It was based on a photo he took in Brighton near to where Eva lives. Its a gate that leads out from these gardens to the sea. I think its his best work for us yet.

 

SCENEzine
One of our favourite tracks from the album is “Opalescent” did that song come together easily in the writing process?

James Spence
It was one of the last songs to be finished but yeah, it came together really quickly. It was one of the only songs I wrote in one sitting. We spent time fleshing it out properly but the structure just presented itself when I had the parts sorted.

SCENEzine
You’ll soon be back in Australia touring. Do you have a favourite Australian memory from a previous visit?

James Spence
The last show we did at Blackwire Records in Sydney was absolutely insane. All of my memories of touring Australia are good though. Its one of our favourite places to visit in the world.

SCENEzine
Is there anything you like to do in Australia besides play shows?

James Spence
Eat loads of Lord of the Fries.

SCENEzine
The band has been together now over 10 years is it surreal to think how far you’ve come?

James Spence
Yeah for sure. We’re still all relatively young considering and have eyes set on the future!

SCENEzine
Rolo Tomassi is a pretty erratic live band. Have you ever been injured at a show?

James Spence
Pretty regularly. Standouts would be Eva chipping teeth on microphones (happens a lot…) people getting hit in the head with guitar headstocks or last year when I cracked a couple of ribs stage diving at a festival.

SCENEzine
A huge old crowd favourite is “I love turbulence” do you still enjoy playing that live?

James Spence
Haha, not at all! We stopped playing it quite a while ago. We’ve written 3 albums since we did Hysterics and want to focus more on new material and pushing the band forward. Its just not in keeping with the direction of what we’re doing right now.

SCENEzine
Lastly can you leave us with a message for your Australian fans excited for the tour?

James Spence
We can’t wait to see you. Here’s hoping it won’t take 3 years to get back out next time. Take care and catch you at a show!

Interview by Christian Ross