Ten months after they released a live video of “Gotta Get Up,” Tomato/Tomato are finally letting out the fully evolved form of their cheery protest song featuring all the bells, whistles, and the rest of the band too. While ten months may feel like an eternity in this political climate, we thought we might check back in on the duo’s current protest levels.
Mind you, John and Lisa Mclaggan are two of the sweetest people you’ll ever meet. We’re betting that if they were to get really furious it would either be adorable, or come off like a scolding parent who isn’t mad, they’re just disappointed. If it has come down to them writing a politically charged tune, then something must have really gotten them riled up.
Then again, it’s 2018. We’re all a bit riled up.
“The lyrics for ‘Gotta Get Up’ developed out of a growing frustration with the current political climate and the deep division it is causing,” says the duo.
“It features a very spontaneous and raw vocal performance by Lisa that was recorded live with the band…in one take! With all of the studio “magic” that exists today, it’s great to see that sometimes all you need is a microphone and a tape machine.”
The two-member folk champions of Saint John say that it’s definitely a change in tone from their usually upbeat sound. Not that it isn’t upbeat. It’s still the cheeriest protest song you’ll ever hear.
“We’re really striving to make this album as honest as possible,” says Lisa Mclaggan.
“Gotta Get Up” was written shortly after the 2017 Charlottesville riots in Virginia, the white supremacist rally that set both the American Civil Rights movement and the tiki torch industry back 50 years.
“We were appalled at how it was handled,” says Lisa. “The whole, ‘there are good people on both sides’ comment… Nazis are not good people. I think we can all agree on that.”
No, folks. Nazis are definitely not good people.
“There are days where I’m full of hope and looking at how far we’ve come, and the conversations that are happening, and how there is so much Light in the world,” says Lisa, “…and then I turn on the news and in the same breath I’m terrified of the hate that exists so openly and the horrendous things people do and say out of fear and ignorance.
Honestly, having conversations with our daughter (who is only 7) always brings me back to the Light. She just gets it. She’s a lover and always finds the good. It’s true that there are good people everywhere. And I’m really trying to listen. Openly. And take in perspectives different than my own,” says Lisa.
“Except the Nazis. There’s nothing good there.”
Tomato/Tomato’s new album isn’t expected out until March 1st, 2019, when the band will launch the album and then head south for a full tour of Australia. But in the meantime you can catch their Christmas show at the Imperial Theatre in Saint John on December 20th. The band have vaguely alluded to “surprises.”
Tour Dates:
12.20.18 – Saint John, NB @ Imperial Theatre
03.08-11.19 – Port Fairy, VIC, AUS @ Port Fairy Folk Festival
03.13.19 – Brunswick, VIC, AUS @ Spotted Mallard
03.14.19 – Oakleigh South, VIC, AUS @ Caravan Music Club
03.15-17.19 – Katoomba, NSW, AUS @ Blue Mountains Folk Festival
03.20.19 – Gold Coast, QLD, AUS @ Soundlounge
03.21.19 – Marrickville, NSW, AUS @ Django @ Camelot