Announces London headline show at Electrowerkz – April 28th
Buy Tickets here: https://link.dice.fm/fantasyisland
Today sees musician, author and fashion icon Tom Rasmussen (pronouns they/them) take centre stage as they release their debut solo single “Fantasy Island Obsession” featuring Kai Isaiah Jamal – listen here. Alongside the release they have announced their headline show at London’s Electrowerkz this April 28th – buy tickets here.
“Fantasy Island Obsession”, written by Tom Rasmussen and poet Kai Isaiah Jamal, is a perfect slice of alternative dance pop that sees Tom’s recognisable falsetto float effortlessly over the pulsating production. The single is accompanied by a spellbinding, conceptual video that sees Tom embody the persona of “Seth” – one of the many characters they explore across this debut project – as they writhe around this metaphorical queer island they’ve escaped to… or are trapped on. The team behind the video makes for a perfect melting pot of queer creativity, from director Samuel Douek (Denai Moore, Little Mix, Mabel) to make-up artist Terry Barber (director of make-up artistry at MAC) and stylist Bojana Kozarevic (fashion editor I-D magazine).
Explaining the video process, Tom says “Across the whole set, we had an entirely queer team which meant the gaze of the work contained so many codes and modes that we all understood. Being able to create a space where queer and trans creatives could work freely and safely meant that the making of this video felt like something by us, and for us. It felt powerful, celebratory and supportive which—even in the arts and music—can feel so hard to find.”
Speaking about the new single Tom elaborates “Fantasy Island Obsession is a song about escape: escape from ourselves, escape from the world and an escape from a society which puts people like Kai and myself in closer proximity to death and danger…In the few words that make up the song, we hope that people will be able to create their own interpretations and reflections of what the Fantasy Island they are obsessing over looks and feels like.”
Discussing the collaboration with Kai, Tom says “After I’d written the song — a repeat, over and over, of the three words that make up the title of the track — “Fantasy Island Obsession” — I was telling Kai about it over WhatsApp. They sent a voice note back — explaining that their dream is to create an island — conceptually, or in reality — only for trans people. “There would be music, dancing, I think it would be beautiful” became a hook, and we featured it on the record.”
Having worked across fashion, publishing, and television this new release marks the start of Tom’s first venture into solo music. The new sound and direction is an amalgamation of all they’ve learned in over a decade of working at the helm of culture. Exploring the (de)construction of an alter-ego, always working to access the honesty and emotion of both the queer and the human experience, their first foray into music — a collaboration with East London label Globe Town Records — marries their writing, their taste, their politics and hopefully their voice.
To celebrate the new single and new era of Tom Rasmussen, they will be taking to the stage to headline a show at renowned nightclub and gig venue Electrowerkz this April 28th. The evening will also see a reading from Kai Isaiah Jamal as well as performances from new band Still, Life (Globe Town Records) and a DJ set from Awkward Moments. Buy tickets here: https://link.dice.fm/fantasyisland
This is just the beginning.
FOLLOW TOM RASMUSSEN
My life is a soundtrack, i track my life through music, photography is my passion, my escape, my expression. Without both i have pieces missing, thankfully i’m blessed and get to combine both.
Born in Manchester, lived in Australia for 22 years where i was heavily involved in the Australian Music Industry, firstly in bands (Singer) and then managing bands (all original), I moved back to the UK, Wales specifically 10 years ago
