The Magic Tombolinos
Having already secured a growing-troupe of celebrity fans, The Magic Tombolinos tell us who they’d really love to impress ahead of their Bristol gig this month…
Magic Tombolinos…that conjours up lots of images what’s behind the name?
Alejandro: A ‘tombolo’ is a small connection between a group of islands, like a sand bar. We liked the idea of that metaphor in our music. As for it becoming Tombolinos, we cheated and made the word up because it sounded cooler.
Alejandro, you’re classically trained – what do you think that gives you over the wave of self-taught bedroom-based ‘musicians’ of today?
Alejandro: There are no written rules for producing music or art. Some of my favourite artists haven’t had institutional training and I don’t think that being ‘good’ depends on it. Having said that, in my own case, my classical training has been invaluable for making the kind of music I want to hear.
An accordion features prominently in your line up, what do you think that adds? And what other accordion musicians do you admire?
Maurizio: The accordion certainly brings to mind a certain sense of a time or place in some made-up history for many people, but for us it’s a modern instrument – it’s versatile and we like to think we’re doing something new with it. I suppose it ties in nicely with the nature of our band to bring the old and new together. As for influences it’s gotta be Astor Piazzolla, Richard Galliano and many more…
Same question as above but for double bass…
Michele: Double bass adds that fantastic booming, woody sound… it’s really rounded and quite percussive… Charles Mingus was great at getting the most out of that instrument for me. Doesn’t leave much room for elbows and knees when we’re all crammed into the tour van though!
How do crowds in other parts of Europe differ from UK crowds?
Alejandro: UK crowds tend to be very passionate and responsive, although the stereotype seems to be the other way ‘round for some reason. The Brits love going nuts at our shows, and our music is a great soundtrack to that feeling.
You’ve already got some high profile fans (Maxi Jazz/Rob Brydon/Noel Fielding etc) who would you love to impress?
Alejandro: John Travolta, Tom Cruise, that woman who does the voice of Bart Simpson… any whacko Scientologist, really.
Maurizio: Easy… Rosario Dawson, Natalie Portman and Salma Hayek!
Festivals are quite a big part of your touring rota, what do they offer you which solo gigs don’t?
Alejandro: Exposure to wider audiences, and we often get to see good bands, and sometimes hang out with them, and sometimes jam, and sometimes…
What does this year hold for you guys?
Alejandro: We’re hoping for some more TV appearances, it was great fun doing the Rob Brydon Show, we’re also looking quite busy for the festival period, we’ll also take some time to finish our second album at some point – but first we’ve got to get this UK tour under our belts.
The Magic Tombolinos play Bristol Thekla on January 28. Tickets £8adv from www.ticketmaster.co.uk
