Tom Rasmussen has always worn many hats.
Im a funny person, but Im also quite emotional and actually quite sincere.
Used to speak softly, but now I can sing, they croon.
Photo: Tim Walker
Sing they certainly can.
Vogue:When did you start working on the album?
Was there a clean break between writingBody Buildingand this record?
Tom Rasmussen:I started writing this record at the end of the writing period of the last record.
Would you say that the two albums are companion pieces, in that sense?
Well, I definitely believe in the school of the big pop girlies who reinvent themselves for each album.
But I guess you could say its a different side of the same coin.
This is the interior world.
This is the more human aspect.
I mean, the winter before last was a particularly hedonistic one, and a real fuck it period.
It was refreshing, actually, because my group of friends are usually pretty focused.
I was like, oh my God.
Im going to get killed.
Instead, I was slain in a different way.
And in that moment, my faith was worshiping this very beautiful man.
So, yeah, that was born out of a particular winter of hedonismand one wild trip to Magaluf.
I would go clubbing at night, but then spend hours walking the dog and just… thinking.
And it opened up a different side of my imagination.
It felt quite childlikethis sense that there was something magical afoot.
How did the song with Romy come about?
The song feels like a really interesting joining of your two sonic worlds.
So I messaged her and was like, Are you kidding, diva?
I stood on the DJ booth and I nearly fell off.
It was very chic.
And she said yes.
I wanted the cover to look like a moment Ive been caughta moment of truth.
I feel like finally, with these shows, theres enough budget to do what I want onstage.
Im working with an amazing installation artist called Adam Wadey who is building this whole laser world.
But, yeah, I think about the live show all the time.
Im really pro big, beautiful, vast emotions.
So I guess I just really want to make people feel that when I play live.
This conversation has been edited and condensed.
