Tomás Ford. The name evokes a squeal. In some people, it evokes memories of Ford gyrating against them all sweaty, crooning and uninhibited. For others, the electro post-punk showman is the perfect ironic mix of pop star and jaded rocker, a homegrown Perth talent who takes the one-man show to new levels.
He chatted to OUTinPerth about his upcoming appearance at St Jerome’s Laneway Festival on Saturday February 6.
What’s new with T-Ford?
I’ve been hidden away for the last three months, working on my new album and redeveloping my live show. I’ve got a huge year coming up, with that album coming out around July, festival shows through summer, more national touring and a big theatre show at The Astor on Feb 27. Not to mention Laneway, which is going to be great!
What is your best summer concert story?
Being dragged around the Big Day Out tour as part of Lilyworld last year is a mental scar that may never properly heal. They are properly insane and I can’t remember most of that trip. When I woke up, I was DJ’ing an epic seven hour set in Perth.
What is your all time festival horror story?
Onstage at Summadayze last year, halfway through a storming disco-punk rendition of Radiohead’s Creep, my computer setup lost power. Even the mystical technologically reviving powers of chanting The Lion Sleeps Tonight couldn’t help me. Touch wood, that will never happen again.
What 3 things should every punter bring to an outdoor festival?
Interesting clothes. Especially at Laneway; it’s a nice place, you can wear pretty things and not worry about them breaking. A lack of dignity. Yes, you probably should take public transport. Empty pockets. You don’t need your mobile phone; anyone you want to see at the festival you’re meeting there anyway. Everyone else can bugger off.
If you had unlimited funds and could organise a festival or concert series where would it be and who would feature on the line-up?
Peter Andre would open with a Don’t Look Back-style performance of his seminal debut record in its’ entirety. Spiked cool-aid would be passed around before sets from Fischerspooner, The Chemical Brothers, Public Image Limited, Kylie Minogue, Frankie Goes To Hollywood and David Bowie. In that order. Then we’d all hole up at an after party hosted by Divine with Frankie Knuckles and LCD Soundsystem DJ’ing.
If you were an antelope, what would your name be?
I would be Biffy The Party Antelope. And I would like to party.
What do you currently love about the music industry?
I’ve been able to achieve a lot in a DIY way, which I’m not sure would have been possible in the days of major record labels. I think the indie way of doing things is much more accepted now. Also, the fact that my strange little one-man party-bombing act is getting somewhere is pretty lovable.
What do you currently not like about the music industry?
My record isn’t out yet. There are still cultural gatekeepers in this country that are much more easy to deal with when you have the backing of major labels. Mainstream Australian music is boring as hell and industry people in a position to take risks need to take more. That’s when the interesting stuff happens.
Tickets are available now online from http:// perth.lanewayfestival.com.au or by purchasing them from Planet, Mills, Star Surf, 78 Records or any City Beach store.
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