Thomas Rawle of Papa Vs Pretty is in a good place. After the highly anticipated release of his band’s debut LP, United in Isolation, the band’s profile has continued to skyrocket, with many proclaiming them as the next big thing. With the band set to embark on yet another national tour, I caught up with Thomas to discuss their ARIA Award nomination, Triple J Award nod, tours, and what’s next for the band on everyone’s lips.

“It’s something we’ve never really thought about, it was a big surprise,” insists Tom when quizzed about the Sydney trio’s nod for a J Award nomination for ‘Album of the Year’, as well as an all-important industry voted ARIA Award nomination for ‘Best Rock Album’. “I never got an award at school, so (being nominated) is something that I’ve never really contemplated. We’ve always been a band, we’ve always done what we’ve done, so this is just something that has happened along that journey.”

With so much success since the release of United In Isolation, and requisite boxes ticked, surely the band have made time to celebrate and reflect on what has been a remarkable few months? “I’ve never really looked back on it,” says Tom. “You know that cliche everyone says, ‘looking forward’? I’m always looking forward, which is good because it means as a band we’re only ever concentrating on what’s in front of us, which has helped us to keep focused.”

In the spirit of looking forward, Papa Vs Pretty’s next venture is a joint one with Melbourne grunge rockers The Vasco Era. Rawle adds that the idea of a co-headline tour emerged out of a mutual desire to elevate both bands to the next size of venue – as well as a common love of noise and distorted guitars. “Since I found out we’d be doing the tour together, I’ve seen The Vasco Era three times. They have so much grit to them that it is a bit like a kick in the teeth with a steel capped boot, which is what I like! It’s always good to tour with fellow rock bands with similar ideals.”

Rawle’s prolific song writing has been well documented since the bands inception, so will they be previewing any upcoming material on this next run of shows? “I know there’s two or three songs that we’ve been waiting to play and we’ve certainly discussed some sort of collaboration between ourselves and The Vasco Era. Whether that will happen or not we’ll have to wait and see.”

Despite the band seeming to have burst onto the Australian music scene relatively suddenly, Rawle maintains that their rise has been a very gradual one. But the undeniable growth Papa Vs Pretty have encountered, in addition to their many national tour supports, has made the prospect of stadium shows in February 2012 with Incubus far less imposing. “We’ve played a lot of different venues in our time, and Incubus are actually one of Tom’s (Myers
- drums) favourite bands, so It’s more exciting than daunting,” explains Rawle.

Beyond this tour, Papa Vs Pretty plan to continue work on a sophomore album, and there is no doubt the music community will be eagerly awaiting the results from one of Australia’s brightest and most genuine prospects. Good luck for the ARIAs!

Papa Vs Pretty + The Vasco Era tour dates:

Wednesday, 23 November 2011 – Karova Lounge, Ballarat VIC
Thursday, 24 November 2011 – Hi Fi, Melb VIC
Friday, 25 November 2011 – Bended Elbow, Geelong VIC
Saturday, 26 November 2011 – Adelaide Uni Bar, Adelaide SA

Incubus support dates:

Friday, 3 February 2012 – Hordern Pavilion, Sydney NSW
Monday, 6 February 2012 – Aec Theatre, Adelaide SA
Wednesday, 8 Febraury 2012 – Festival Hall, Melbourne VIC
Friday, 10 February 2012 – Convention Centre, Brisbane QLD

Via our friends at Alphabet Pony