Spin To Win #19: Traversing The Globe With Tora
Formed in Byron Bay, now based around the world.
I’ve been listening to a fair bit of 2hollis this week.
I’m not beating around the bush today, because I’ve got a great interview for you to jump into. There’s a long-standing tradition of Australian artists moving overseas to chase their music-related dreams. Whether you’re looking to move to Europe or the States, it’s a well-worn path — for a good reason. Moving to a bigger market means you’re closer to the “action” on a global level, and more likely to get live opportunities that help you find new fans.
One act that’s made the move work for them brilliantly is the Australian electronic band Tora. Originally formed in Byron Bay, their members now reside across Europe, Australia, and Bali — with a move to Europe in 2020 for music derailed by the pandemic. If you’re a fan of artists like Rüfüs Du Sol and James Blake, then you’ll enjoy their atmospheric, layered soundscapes. Think sunny afternoons, picnics, and some of your best friends. Or, if you’re like me and my girlfriend and recently, you’ve been in the backyard digging holes, and combining the dirt from around those holes into a large, quite imposing pile. If I get one email requesting to see the pile, I will include it in the next newsletter.
I spoke to the band’s lead vocalist, Jo Loewenthal, about their new album, Temps de Flors, and how they’ve managed to make their band work while spread across the globe. I really enjoyed this chat, and I thoroughly recommend chucking on your best pair of headphones, turning on Temps de Flors, and letting your mind float along on the breeze.
Ben Madden: Firstly, congratulations on the upcoming release of Temps de Flors! How’s the band feeling leading up to the release?
Jo Loewenthal: It’s always exciting leading up to an album release, but this time feels like we’re more ready for it than we ever have been. It’s been three years since the last album, we took our time creating this new one so we are well-prepared in many ways
BM: The album’s title, Temps de Flors, is Catalonian, and the album was recorded in north-east Catalonia during the spring. How do you feel the album has drawn from the environments of Catalonia?
JL: The album title, sound, and themes are very much inspired by the time and place where it was created. The intention behind this whole album was to uplift listeners by embodying the feelings that come with springtime.
The sun was out, flowers blooming, fruits growing, bees buzzing, abundance everywhere, this was a glorious moment in our lives and we wanted to share that with the listeners.
BM: The album tells the story of moving from the darkness into the light, and making the most of hardship. When listening to the album, what do you hope listeners learn about Tora — especially if they’re newcomers to the band’s music?
JL: When people listen to this album we hope people hear our passion for music and our desire to create unique songs, filled with surprises. We hope this album can give them a sense of relief from the pressures of life and a feeling of optimism about the future.
BM: I have to ask — there’s a track on the album called ‘Jigglypuff’. What’s the band’s favourite Pokemon game and why?
JL: Personally for me (Jo) it was always Pokemon Red, it’s the OG and it’s the GOAT. 151 Pokemon in the Pokedex… after that things got a little outta hand and it lost its novelty for me.
Jai probably disagrees, he used to play Diamond on the tour bus.
BM: The band formed in Byron Bay, but you’ve all since relocated to Europe, making the move in 2020. I’m curious — was this move a music-focused one, or were other factors at play?
JL: Yes, we moved to Europe as a band primarily for music, we had a bunch of touring and plans in the Northern hemisphere locked in for 2020, so it made good sense until everything was derailed by the pandemic.
BM: How do you feel that being based in Europe, as opposed to Australia, has influenced the band’s trajectory?
JL: At this point, we are all based in different places, some in Europe, some in Australia, and one in Bali.
We meet up whenever we need to work on new music, or tour, or practice etc.
We are all pretty global people these days, the world became a smaller place than it seemed after a decade of touring.
BM: Do you keep an eye on what’s happening in Australia’s music scene, or do you find yourselves more immersed in the various European music scenes nowadays?
JL: I think we are all influenced by different scenes at different times, but we tend to keep each other informed on what’s happening in each place.
There’s good stuff coming from all over, to be honest, it feels like an increasingly global market these days which makes it more competitive for everyone. Ultimately that’s a good thing for the quality of music, even if it is tough for artists.
BM: In terms of finances — touring costs/booking studio time, for example — do you find that it’s more affordable to exist as a band day-to-day in Europe or Australia?
JL: I think it really depends on who you know, and what time of year it is.
When you’re in a new market and you don’t know how things operate there, there are a lot more mistakes made and money wasted, but once you have connections and understand how things work in each place, I would say that both places are pretty similar on balance, when you factor in everything.
BM: What advice would you give to bands that are looking to make the move overseas for music – how can they best maximise the move to a new continent, and therefore, a new market?
JL: I would say firstly just live where you want to live and ideally that’s the place that makes you most inspired to create. These days you can reach a global audience through the internet so ultimately it doesn’t really matter where you are based, as much as whether or not you’re inspired.
You can always do periods of time in a place if you need to be there for concerts and interviews, but if you do decide to move somewhere for music specifically, make sure it’s a place where you have space to work and also a place where you intend to focus time on developing an audience.
Think it through, don’t just wing it, save up plenty of money, and expect the unexpected.
BM: Is there anything you’ve been dying to get off your chest, music-related or otherwise, that hasn’t come up in an interview yet?
JL: I guess I would just encourage other artists, producers and engineers to look into the power of 3, 6 & 9.
Music is an art form, but it’s also a science.
When you understand that everything is just energy, frequency and vibration, it’s then possible to consciously create music that is in harmony with the human frequency.
BM: Finally, where are you hoping the band will be in 12 months?
JL: In 12 months we hope to be in another amazing place working on another record, after an incredible year of touring.
Music Recommendations
boy - 2hollis
2hollis existing means that 3hollis can’t be far away.
‘if i die tonight this song will be my legacy’ - BINDY
An instant contender for the best song title in 2024. I am trying to not think about the song’s existential implications.
Article Recommendation
How Do You Keep An Aussie Festival Alive During The Cost Of Living Crisis? — I liked this piece from Bianca Davino. I’m interested to see how Australia’s music festival landscape continues to shift and evolve going forward, and I’m interested to see which Australian artists push themselves forward as future festival headliners.