Thomas Giles Q&A: 'My new solo album is a total extension of myself'

Between The Buried And Me are one of metal's most exciting bands, so interest in singer Tommy Rogers' upcoming second solo album is high.

The vocalist and instrumentalist is releasing 'Modern Noise' under the moniker Thomas Giles on November 25 so Pressparty decided to catch up with the musician to find out more.

For those who haven't heard your solo material before, how would you describe its sound?

I would say it’s an experimental rock record. I focus on simple overlapping melodies to create big, melodic songs that hopefully are memorable to the listener.

What musical influences have gone into 'Modern Noise'?

Some of the influences on the record are the sounds of alternative rock in the 90s and the world of classic rock records. Obviously the electronic elements are not drawing from these, but the rock side is. It was not something I intended on doing, it’s just what the outcome was once I started working on the material.

Is it a conscious decision to create such varied music and can you tell us a bit about your songwriting process?

I don’t set out to do anything in particular, outside of writing the best song I can. I wrote most of this record on the road and every day was a new musical experience...I would wake up and start from scratch/or from a previous idea and create songs. It naturally became a big variety of music and that is just because that is natural for my mind to work in that manner.

If you had to give a brief introduction for first time listeners of 'Modern Noise', what would you say?

It’s rock music that will keep you interested throughout. I throw a lot of curve balls on the record and I hope that helps make it a very listenable experience from start to finish.

Do you feel more vulnerable or conversely empowered when you embark on your solo project?

I don’t think so. I just try and be as natural with my writing as possible and because of that, I do not put much pressure on myself or the material.

Your music is often both deeply emotive and well constructed, but what do you feel is more important - emotion or technicality?

Emotion. Even with BTBAM we write solely on emotion. We all write what naturally comes to us and that is a big part of our sound. This project is no different. I wanted it to be a total extension of myself and when I listen back, that is exactly what I did. This record is me.

What musicians, bands and/or musical genres are you listening to at the moment?

I listen music daily, so genres/bands are always changing. I actually post a daily album on my Twitter [@tommybtbam] everyday. And yes, I post actual records I listen to on that date. A few new records I’ve enjoyed recently are…Devin Townsend: 'Z2', Thom Yorke: 'Tomorrow's Modern Boxes', Dieselboy: 'The Destroyer' and Weezer: 'Everything Will Be Alright In The End'.

If you could pick one musician to make a dream collaborative record with, who would it be?

Danny Elfman.

What would you say to people who might think Between The Buried And Me's recent albums are perhaps over-indulgent?

It is what it is...We are setting out to write the best material we can in that moment. That has been our philosophy since day one and hopefully will never change. If someone doesn’t enjoy something we do, I can’t hold that against them. Music can differ from person to person.

Most of Between The Buried And Me are vegan or vegetarian - are you vegan? And if so, why did you choose that path and how big an influence does it have on your life?

I am vegan...I have been since I was 16 - I’m 33 now. It’s a big part of my personal life, but just like any belief, I never want to push it upon anyone. Everyone has their own choices and that is a choice I’ve made. Doesn’t make me stronger or any different from anyone...just a diet I’ve decided to embark on. The reason I chose this path is simply because the idea of meat and dairy didn’t sit well with me. Seems cruel and unnecessary for my life.

What other passions do you have outside of music and do any of them inspire your music creativity?

My personal life and family have a huge impact on my music. I have a two-year-old boy that has changed my life in the best possible way. He has influenced my writing more than anything on this earth. I want to be the best I can be for him...as a person and with the music I create. I hope one day he will put his heart and soul into something he enjoys as much as I enjoy making music.

Watch Thomas Giles' 'Siphon the Bad Blood' video below: