Tomora: Aurora and Tom Rowlands Unveil Their New Dance-Pop Collaboration
Norwegian singer-songwriter Aurora and Tom Rowlands, one half of the Grammy-winning electronic duo the Chemical Brothers, have joined forces to create Tomora, a wildly inventive new band. Their debut album, 'Come Closer', set for release on 17 April, blends kinetic dance structures with chaotic pop sensibilities across 12 tracks.
Contrasting Personalities and Creative Fusion
In a north London label office, the duo's differing approaches are evident. Rowlands, 55, expresses anxiety about their upcoming live shows, including a high-profile slot at Coachella this month. "We're still kind of working it out, and I'm getting a bit, 'Oh my God, what's going on?'" he admits. In contrast, Aurora, 29, remains cheerily unstressed, stating, "I don't have any stress in my being. Yes, the house is on fire, but we'll work it out."
This dynamic translates into their music, where Rowlands' precise dance frameworks merge with Aurora's experimental pop to produce a mix of techno, trip-hop, and prog influences. The lead single, 'Ring the Alarm', serves as a caffeine-fueled anthem with a deeper message. Aurora explains, "It's a good time to say: 'Ring the alarm! Be aware! Look around! Wake up! Be awake, be human.'"
Origins of the Collaboration
Rowlands first noticed Aurora during Glastonbury 2016 coverage, captivated by her "combination of strength and this fragility, plus her incredible voice." He emailed her to collaborate on the Chemical Brothers' album 'No Geography', but Aurora delayed her response to avoid being overly excited. "I waited until the serotonin and dopamine was at a normal level again," she says.
Their partnership flourished, with Aurora featuring on three tracks from 'No Geography' and Rowlands contributing production to her 2024 album 'What Happened to the Heart?'. Aurora, who rarely listens to music, counts the Chemical Brothers' 'Hanna' soundtrack among her favourites, while Rowlands introduced her to classics like 'Good Vibrations' by the Beach Boys.
Mutual Respect and Creative Synergy
For Aurora, working with Rowlands came at a crucial time. Burnt out from over 300 shows in a year, she was considering ending her music career. Their collaboration felt "very much like mine in a time where everything that was mine belonged to the world." Similarly, Rowlands sought a creative diversion before another Chemical Brothers album, describing the project as "a shot of Aurora."
Recording took place at Rowlands' home studio and Aurora's family home in Norway, where they tested songs on her parents. Initially sceptical of jarring noises, her parents grew to appreciate the music, feeling it "in a very fun way" and even gifting Rowlands a Norwegian cheese slicer made from reindeer bone.
Rowlands praises Aurora's musicality, noting her ability to find beauty in unconventional sounds. "Aurora listens and then she'll play something and I'll go: 'Oh my God, that was inside the sound and I couldn't find it.'" Their bond strengthened over shared geekery, such as Aurora's distaste for a specific snare sound on her debut album.
Addressing Gender Assumptions and Future Tensions
Aurora acknowledges that some may oversimplify Tomora as a male producer working with a female singer, sidelining her studio contributions. Early in her career, this frustrated her, but now she says, "As I grow older, I just don't care." However, she advocates for female producers, emphasizing, "It is really fun to produce, and it's important to be heard."
Rowlands' openness made collaboration easy, with Aurora noting, "It's so easy to feel respected immediately, which you don't always expect with a more established artist that is male, and a less established one that is female." Despite their mutual respect, they joke about potential future conflicts. "Wait until we finish touring," Rowlands laughs, while Aurora imagines separate cars and a communal hat in a playful bust-up scenario.
Looking Ahead to Coachella and Beyond
The Coachella performance, announced before Tomora's public reveal, holds special significance for Aurora. She sees it as "a beautiful moment" of escapism amid global chaos, stating, "I think music really matters when the world is very chaotic." As they prepare for their debut live shows, the duo's blend of anxiety and calm promises a dynamic and impactful presence on stage.
