A Quick Chat with total tommy

Congratulations on Trapezoid!!! What are the origins of the album title - how did you decide on that conceptual thread to pull out of the record?

Thank you so much! Well I wrote the song Trapezoid first and when I was writing it I was going really deep into the meaning of the word, and I loved that it had so many meanings. It’s the smallest bone in the hand, and without it we wouldn’t have grip or dexterity. It’s also a tilted parallel shape, which to me is how the record sounds - a bit wonky and off kilter! And recently I also found out that when you adjust a projector it says ‘adjust trapezoid’ - so that just works way too perfectly with the film refs!

Tell us a little more about the focus single ‘Gutterball’. What does that song mean to you?

Gutterball is the song I’m most excited for people to hear on this record! My wife CP and I wrote it together about a year ago when we were down south in Culburra on a little weekend away. There’s a lyric ‘you’re a perfect strike and I’m a gutterball’ which I just love so much.

You worked on a lot of this record in London, and you can really feel that ache of being across timezones in the music. How did the location influence the creation of the record?

I love making music in London cos there are minimal distractions. When I’m there I am usually there solely for music, so I can really focus in on being an artist and honing in on what I’m doing. I definitely miss home when I’m there, so I think that yearning comes through in the music. The album was written half between Sydney and London, so there’s a bit of both of those worlds in there.

We love the 90s film references!! What are your top five must see 90’s movies to accompany Trapezoid

OK I’m gonna go with my favourite Winona Ryder films, because she really introduced me into the world of film and that wore off a lot on this record. Basically my whole life I could never sit still enough to watch a movie, and then last year when I was travelling a lot I was recommended a bunch of films and the common thread was Winona, so I started there. I’m still pretty clueless with movies!

Girl, Interrupted
Reality Bites
Heathers
Edward Scissorhands
Beetlejuice

What do you want listeners to take away from this record?

I hope people find their own meaning in the songs and that they can always come back to this record when they’re feeling alone or needing a little pick me up. I learnt a lot about trusting my instincts and pushing for what feels best for me, and I’m super grateful to have had the studio and space we had to make this album. Putting music out right now in 2026 is weirder than ever, but it’s nice receiving messages of people enjoying it!