01Profile
A MF Tomlinson Photo
MF Tomlinson
Musician — London
03Interview
Name, where are you from?
MF Tomlinson (Michael Francis Tomlinson). I’m from Brisbane, Australia and I currently live in London, UK.
Describe your style in three words?
Classic, Modern, Storytelling.
What’s the best gig you’ve ever been to?
Impossible to say. Here’s two though:
1. The Drones at the Zoo in Brisbane when I was 18. This is Gareth and Fiona from Tropical Fuck Storm’s previous band. I got kicked out of this terrible student bar and wandered over to this club, I had no idea it was a venue at the time. They (The Drones) were electrifying - the guitarist kept throwing his amp off a table onto the stage to get a massive reverb splash - it was so exciting! I think that’s when I really decided that I wanted to play music.
2. This year I had the chance to feel that same formative energy at End of the Road Festival. It felt like I was kinda being born again. The line up was incredible and I was incredibly inspired by the heroic Kate Tempest as well as Low, Metronomy, Cate le Bon and Beak. Also the new stuff by Michael Kiwanuka - amazing! I was also super excited by newer acts (or acts that were new to me) like Squid, Stella Donnelley and Mitski. I left feeling nourished and refocussed as an artist.
If you could be on the line up with any two bands in history?
Big question! Well, my first thought is the Travelling Wilburys - you’re ticking a few boxes there. Also, I bet they had fun. Also David Bowie, Ziggy Stardust era with Mick Ronson. Also John Cale, Kate Bush, Moondog! Can I just play at The Last Waltz? I’d be too nervous. Basically I can’t choose.
Which subcultures have influenced you?
Well, I am clearly an alumnus of the school of indie rock. I guess right now you would call me a hipster (proud to be a hipster I guess) but back in the day, I was mad for punk, rap and skateboarding. What this basically entailed was hanging out in car parks, hardly landing any tricks (aka being really noisy) writing our shitty tags on the curb, listening to the Chronic 2001 on our Discmans, smoking cigarettes THEN putting loads of Lynx deodorant on so no one would be able to tell.
Years later I watched this talk by Rodney Mullen about falling – about how skateboarders fall—fail—, over and over again. So much so that they aren’t afraid to fall or fail, or rather they’re not afraid to try and keep on trying until they succeed, no matter how long it takes or how much it hurts. It was pretty powerful to hear one of my heroes redefine what I’d been doing in that car park.
This question makes me think of key friends who showed me the way into all these different worlds - I’ve always relied heavily on that one cool friend to show me where it was really at. Thanks, pals!
I’ve also spent time in very intense subcultures, especially punk, which taught me that I should ONLY listen to punk music. The cool thing about subculture these days is it’s so much less defined - a lot of ideas are being shared: it makes life a lot more interesting and fast-paced.
If you could spend an hour with anyone from history?
Trippy question - giving me Bill & Ted vibes! Well considering right now my latest single is called Nietzsche’s Day Off I guess I am duty-bound to say, Friedrich Nietzsche. Judging by the lyrics he’s a pretty fun guy! In all seriousness I would probs wanna meet him later in his life when he’d mellowed a bit - I am reading ‘Human, All Too Human’ at the moment, he seems pretty tender in this period.
Of all the venues you’ve been to, which is your favourite?
The Moth Club cos that’s where the best goddam show is gonna be going down on the 27th of November for the Nietzsche’s Day Off single launch featuring Artificial Pleasure and Corinthians. The Moth is such a wonderful place to go see bands. ALSO… the Paradiso, The Zoo, KOKO, the Brudenell Social Club, Brixton Academy, The Lexington & La Maroquinerie.
Your greatest unsung hero or heroine in music?
The world is full of people that deserve more recognition.
Here’s some of my favourite acts that I think should be better known…
The Cleaners from Venus, Bill Fay, Laurie Speigel & Lizzie Mercier Descloux.
Also here’s some acts from RIGHT NOW that you should check out:
Ed Dowie (his album The Uncle Sold is one of my faves), Player Piano, Ben Salter, Sophie Jamieson is back! Also, do you know Alabaster Deplume?
MF Tomlinson emerged this year with his debut single ‘Nature Boy’ and the following ‘Sum Of Nothing’. The songs have had great support from Radio X and BBC Introducing, along with critical praise from the likes of Clash, Beat Magazine, Happy Magazine and more.
02Playlist
04Playlist Notes
The first track you played on repeat?
Run DMC vs. Jason Nevins - 'It’s Like That'
This was the very first CD single I bought. You are all very lucky because the second CD single I bought was 'Tubthumping' by Chumbawumba and the next CD I bought was 'Three Dollar Bill Y’all' by Limp Bizkit.
A song that defines the teenage you?
The Strokes - 'Hard To Explain'
This was me at parties from the ages of 17 to 19. Dressed (in my mind's eye) exactly like Nick Valensi or Julian Casablancas whoever my favourite was on that particular night in skinny jeans and a velvet suit jacket in the sweltering, SWELTERING Australian heat. I would sing along very loudly at parties, we all would.
One record you would keep forever?
Isao Tomita - 'Arabesque No. 1'
This is from his record of Debussy songs, Snowflakes are Dancing. My friend gave me this record when I was 17 years old, it is one of my prized possessions. He sadly passed away last year, miss him very much. This beautiful recording keeps him with me, I’ve since collected a great many more of Tomita’s records - they’re nothing short of genius.
A song lyric that has inspired you?
Kendrick Lamar - 'Sing About Me, I’m Dying of Thirst'
It’s not one lyric but the whole piece in this case. It’s masterful storytelling and performance. For me, this song is stepping stone/shortform/prototype to ‘To Pimp a Butterfly’ (one of my favourite ever records) kind of similar to the way that Tom Wait’s Swordfish Trombones preceded Rain Dogs. Thank you Mr Duckworth.
On a different note, and to provide a single lyric, can I also say…
'Field Commander Cohen' by Leonard Cohen
“Field Commander Cohen was our most important spy.
Parachuting acid into diplomatic dinner parties,
convincing Fidel Castro to abandon fields and castles
And like a man, return to nothing special”
Self-important and self-effacing, smart, sad and extremely funny - it’s his sense of humour that made him one of the best ever.
A song you wished you had written?
Haruomi Hosono - 'Boko Wa Chotto'
Hosono is a true hero, he’s made so much fantastic music that I’m just beginning to explore! I love the tender lilting feel of this track. This whole record is brilliant, from my reference points it kinda feels like The Band but it’s got that fantastic Japanese sensibility. I first heard this song on a compilation by LITA records called ‘Even A Tree Can Shed a Tear’ which has amazing glam/folk/rock recordings from Japan 1969 - 1973, some of the most amazing stuff - I can’t recommend it enough.
Best song to turn up loud?
John Cale - 'Big White Cloud'
I first heard this song at the best place in the world, Pacific Social Club. It took me way too long to realise that John Cale is the best ever. To be honest that answer to that question earlier about who I would like to meet from history, right now I would like to have a cuppa with John Cale. John if you’re reading please get in touch, we’d be delighted to have you over any time.
A song people wouldn’t expect you to like?
Marcus Hamblett - 'Vibraphone Piece'
I like a lot of music. The obvious thing is to put a well-known pop song or some kind of guilty pleasure in here right? If it’s ok I would much rather just put a song here I think everyone should/needs to hear. So this is by my friend Marcus, it’s called Vibraphone Piece. Hope you love it as much as I do.
The song to get you straight on the dance floor?
Swamp Dogg - 'The Mind Does The Dancing While the Body Pulls the Strings'
I bought this record based on the cover alone, I had no idea who Swamp Dogg was but now I don’t know how I lived without him. The man has a lot of problems and a lot of personality, no wonder he writes such great music.
Best song to end an all-nighter?
Tom Waits - 'Christmas Card from a Hooker In Minneapolis'
Tom Waits tells the most beautiful stories, and this record (Blue Valentine) is probably my favourite of his. I love the players on it and Waits feels like he’s on his way to the wild poetry he’ll create later on while still having one foot in his roots. Some of my other faves on this record are $29 and Romeo is Bleeding. Get into it.
Any new bands you are into at the moment?
Corinthians - 'Pineal'
Too many! Really excited about music at the moment. Here’s the lead single 'Pineal' from the new Corinthians EP. Alex, the creative force behind this project is my studio mate we often work on stuff together — he does all the string arrangements on my songs. Also, I want to mention the new song from Artificial Pleasure - 'Side by Side Together' a brilliant mix of Bowie and New Order. Both of these acts will be joining us at the Moth Club on the 27th. Further, I LOVE the Squid 'Town Centre' EP, Mind Enterprises new stuff is AMAZING, of course, all the artists that I have listed above as well as Bamboo, Rozi Plain, Deep Tan, Katy J Pearson, Sun Silva and Pregoblin.
03Interview
Name, where are you from?
MF Tomlinson (Michael Francis Tomlinson). I’m from Brisbane, Australia and I currently live in London, UK.
Describe your style in three words?
Classic, Modern, Storytelling.
What’s the best gig you’ve ever been to?
Impossible to say. Here’s two though:
1. The Drones at the Zoo in Brisbane when I was 18. This is Gareth and Fiona from Tropical Fuck Storm’s previous band. I got kicked out of this terrible student bar and wandered over to this club, I had no idea it was a venue at the time. They (The Drones) were electrifying - the guitarist kept throwing his amp off a table onto the stage to get a massive reverb splash - it was so exciting! I think that’s when I really decided that I wanted to play music.
2. This year I had the chance to feel that same formative energy at End of the Road Festival. It felt like I was kinda being born again. The line up was incredible and I was incredibly inspired by the heroic Kate Tempest as well as Low, Metronomy, Cate le Bon and Beak. Also the new stuff by Michael Kiwanuka - amazing! I was also super excited by newer acts (or acts that were new to me) like Squid, Stella Donnelley and Mitski. I left feeling nourished and refocussed as an artist.
If you could be on the line up with any two bands in history?
Big question! Well, my first thought is the Travelling Wilburys - you’re ticking a few boxes there. Also, I bet they had fun. Also David Bowie, Ziggy Stardust era with Mick Ronson. Also John Cale, Kate Bush, Moondog! Can I just play at The Last Waltz? I’d be too nervous. Basically I can’t choose.
Which subcultures have influenced you?
Well, I am clearly an alumnus of the school of indie rock. I guess right now you would call me a hipster (proud to be a hipster I guess) but back in the day, I was mad for punk, rap and skateboarding. What this basically entailed was hanging out in car parks, hardly landing any tricks (aka being really noisy) writing our shitty tags on the curb, listening to the Chronic 2001 on our Discmans, smoking cigarettes THEN putting loads of Lynx deodorant on so no one would be able to tell.
Years later I watched this talk by Rodney Mullen about falling – about how skateboarders fall—fail—, over and over again. So much so that they aren’t afraid to fall or fail, or rather they’re not afraid to try and keep on trying until they succeed, no matter how long it takes or how much it hurts. It was pretty powerful to hear one of my heroes redefine what I’d been doing in that car park.
This question makes me think of key friends who showed me the way into all these different worlds - I’ve always relied heavily on that one cool friend to show me where it was really at. Thanks, pals!
I’ve also spent time in very intense subcultures, especially punk, which taught me that I should ONLY listen to punk music. The cool thing about subculture these days is it’s so much less defined - a lot of ideas are being shared: it makes life a lot more interesting and fast-paced.
If you could spend an hour with anyone from history?
Trippy question - giving me Bill & Ted vibes! Well considering right now my latest single is called Nietzsche’s Day Off I guess I am duty-bound to say, Friedrich Nietzsche. Judging by the lyrics he’s a pretty fun guy! In all seriousness I would probs wanna meet him later in his life when he’d mellowed a bit - I am reading ‘Human, All Too Human’ at the moment, he seems pretty tender in this period.
Of all the venues you’ve been to, which is your favourite?
The Moth Club cos that’s where the best goddam show is gonna be going down on the 27th of November for the Nietzsche’s Day Off single launch featuring Artificial Pleasure and Corinthians. The Moth is such a wonderful place to go see bands. ALSO… the Paradiso, The Zoo, KOKO, the Brudenell Social Club, Brixton Academy, The Lexington & La Maroquinerie.
Your greatest unsung hero or heroine in music?
The world is full of people that deserve more recognition.
Here’s some of my favourite acts that I think should be better known…
The Cleaners from Venus, Bill Fay, Laurie Speigel & Lizzie Mercier Descloux.
Also here’s some acts from RIGHT NOW that you should check out:
Ed Dowie (his album The Uncle Sold is one of my faves), Player Piano, Ben Salter, Sophie Jamieson is back! Also, do you know Alabaster Deplume?
MF Tomlinson emerged this year with his debut single ‘Nature Boy’ and the following ‘Sum Of Nothing’. The songs have had great support from Radio X and BBC Introducing, along with critical praise from the likes of Clash, Beat Magazine, Happy Magazine and more.
04Playlist Notes
The first track you played on repeat?
Run DMC vs. Jason Nevins - 'It’s Like That'
This was the very first CD single I bought. You are all very lucky because the second CD single I bought was 'Tubthumping' by Chumbawumba and the next CD I bought was 'Three Dollar Bill Y’all' by Limp Bizkit.
A song that defines the teenage you?
The Strokes - 'Hard To Explain'
This was me at parties from the ages of 17 to 19. Dressed (in my mind's eye) exactly like Nick Valensi or Julian Casablancas whoever my favourite was on that particular night in skinny jeans and a velvet suit jacket in the sweltering, SWELTERING Australian heat. I would sing along very loudly at parties, we all would.
One record you would keep forever?
Isao Tomita - 'Arabesque No. 1'
This is from his record of Debussy songs, Snowflakes are Dancing. My friend gave me this record when I was 17 years old, it is one of my prized possessions. He sadly passed away last year, miss him very much. This beautiful recording keeps him with me, I’ve since collected a great many more of Tomita’s records - they’re nothing short of genius.
A song lyric that has inspired you?
Kendrick Lamar - 'Sing About Me, I’m Dying of Thirst'
It’s not one lyric but the whole piece in this case. It’s masterful storytelling and performance. For me, this song is stepping stone/shortform/prototype to ‘To Pimp a Butterfly’ (one of my favourite ever records) kind of similar to the way that Tom Wait’s Swordfish Trombones preceded Rain Dogs. Thank you Mr Duckworth.
On a different note, and to provide a single lyric, can I also say…
'Field Commander Cohen' by Leonard Cohen
“Field Commander Cohen was our most important spy.
Parachuting acid into diplomatic dinner parties,
convincing Fidel Castro to abandon fields and castles
And like a man, return to nothing special”
Self-important and self-effacing, smart, sad and extremely funny - it’s his sense of humour that made him one of the best ever.
A song you wished you had written?
Haruomi Hosono - 'Boko Wa Chotto'
Hosono is a true hero, he’s made so much fantastic music that I’m just beginning to explore! I love the tender lilting feel of this track. This whole record is brilliant, from my reference points it kinda feels like The Band but it’s got that fantastic Japanese sensibility. I first heard this song on a compilation by LITA records called ‘Even A Tree Can Shed a Tear’ which has amazing glam/folk/rock recordings from Japan 1969 - 1973, some of the most amazing stuff - I can’t recommend it enough.
Best song to turn up loud?
John Cale - 'Big White Cloud'
I first heard this song at the best place in the world, Pacific Social Club. It took me way too long to realise that John Cale is the best ever. To be honest that answer to that question earlier about who I would like to meet from history, right now I would like to have a cuppa with John Cale. John if you’re reading please get in touch, we’d be delighted to have you over any time.
A song people wouldn’t expect you to like?
Marcus Hamblett - 'Vibraphone Piece'
I like a lot of music. The obvious thing is to put a well-known pop song or some kind of guilty pleasure in here right? If it’s ok I would much rather just put a song here I think everyone should/needs to hear. So this is by my friend Marcus, it’s called Vibraphone Piece. Hope you love it as much as I do.
The song to get you straight on the dance floor?
Swamp Dogg - 'The Mind Does The Dancing While the Body Pulls the Strings'
I bought this record based on the cover alone, I had no idea who Swamp Dogg was but now I don’t know how I lived without him. The man has a lot of problems and a lot of personality, no wonder he writes such great music.
Best song to end an all-nighter?
Tom Waits - 'Christmas Card from a Hooker In Minneapolis'
Tom Waits tells the most beautiful stories, and this record (Blue Valentine) is probably my favourite of his. I love the players on it and Waits feels like he’s on his way to the wild poetry he’ll create later on while still having one foot in his roots. Some of my other faves on this record are $29 and Romeo is Bleeding. Get into it.
Any new bands you are into at the moment?
Corinthians - 'Pineal'
Too many! Really excited about music at the moment. Here’s the lead single 'Pineal' from the new Corinthians EP. Alex, the creative force behind this project is my studio mate we often work on stuff together — he does all the string arrangements on my songs. Also, I want to mention the new song from Artificial Pleasure - 'Side by Side Together' a brilliant mix of Bowie and New Order. Both of these acts will be joining us at the Moth Club on the 27th. Further, I LOVE the Squid 'Town Centre' EP, Mind Enterprises new stuff is AMAZING, of course, all the artists that I have listed above as well as Bamboo, Rozi Plain, Deep Tan, Katy J Pearson, Sun Silva and Pregoblin.
MF Tomlinson - 'Nietzsche's Day Off'
MF Tomlinson - 'Nature Boy'
MF Tomlinson - 'Sum Of Nothing'