Live Review: INTERVIEW: Totally Enormous Extinct Dinosaurs

Orlando Higginbottom has a very boyish face, it’s probably the second most distinctive part of his appearance - a close runner-up to the prehistoric attire he sports for his live performances as Totally Enormous Extinct Dinosaurs.

That said there is nothing immature about his music, proving to be one of the most forward thinking artists to come out of the UK this year. Applying an impeccable signature TEED sheen to a growing catalogue of original productions and remixes, he effortlessly takes house music to higher plane - a soulful plateau that will be a basis for other artists to work from for years to come.

With peers like SBTRKT, Jamie XX and James Blake; 2011 has presented Orlando with a non-stop festival schedule that would make James Brown blush including world stage events like Coachella and Glastonbury. Currently hard at work on his debut studio album, we had a quick chat ahead of his upcoming Australian summer tour. Originally from Oxford, he got quite excited when I mentioned fellow countrymen Trophy Wife.

Plug into the latest music with our FREE weekly newsletter

You've mentioned before that you're looking at a January release for your upcoming album, how’s it coming along?

I’m not sure if it will be January - Certainly very early next year in the UK and I hope in Australia at the same time. I have one track to finish and the record is done.

How long has the whole process taken you?

Nearly a year but I’ve been touring pretty much constantly so I couldn’t say how much actual time in the studio it’s been. No name yet, I can’t decide.

You've been doing so much touring over the past couple of years without a record out – With that in mind, do you feel like there’s a lot of pressure on your debut release?

Actually no, I just want to get the record out there. And when you are playing shows and writing you don’t really notice pressure like that. It’s more the pressure I put on myself to make something I’m proud of. I think I have put a lot of pressure on myself to do that.

I just heard your new Lady Gaga remix; you also did one for Katy Perry last year. Is remixing big commercial artists something you enjoy doing?

I don’t enjoy it any more than remixing someone less famous. It really depends on the track and how inspiring it is to get into. But of course remixing Lady Gaga is a bit of a buzz – it’s exciting for sure. Though with her you know a lot of her fans are going to hate it. I wish I'd had a bit more time on that remix; I started it the day before I went on tour and had to finish it in a strangers basement in Vancouver. I try not to [do that] I find it really, really hard to work on the road.

Are you still working on a lot of remixes at the moment?

I’ve tried to take a break from them to clear more space for the album, but somehow I have 2 more to do before the end of the month [he was unfortunately tight lipped about who they were for].

What can Australian audiences expect to see from your live show and how did all the ideas for it come together?

The whole thing came from being bored of watching DJs play big records and not really give the crowd anything personal. I always find this hard to answer... I play music and sing, the girls dance and we all dress up. But it’s a bit more complex than that sounds. It’s changing a lot at the moment as well. Crazy lights, new music, more costumes. It depends on the show but sometimes I'll do a version of a remix as well.

I noticed you used to have a sidekick called ‘Box Man’ back in 2008, what happened to him?

Box Man is gone from the live show, but he still pops up in the studio. He is coming round today in-fact. He is a pretty serious composer.

You were involved in a trip to make a charity record for OXFAM earlier this year with Blur's Damon Albarn and a bunch of other producers, how was your experience recording the album in the Congo?

Completely crazy but very rewarding and amazingly we actually managed to make a record in 6 days. I think truthfully the record speaks more about the experience than anything else.

Lastly do you get to see a lot of live music being so busy and who are some acts that you're into at the moment?

Yeah I see quite a lot. I really like Chad Valley and I saw Tuneyards play recently, that was amazing.

Orlando has just put out a brand new track on the internet for free. It's called 'Dream On' and expands on the bouncy muted-rave sound he's been exploring recently. Great minimally placed classy vocals on this one as well, all you have to do is sign up to his mailing list for a free download in your inbox. Get it HERE

TOTALLY ENORMOUS EXTINCT DINOSAURS TOUR DATES

Saturday, 31 December

Falls Festival, Lorne

Sunday, 1 January

Field Day, Sydney

Tuesday, 3 January

I OH YOU, Melbourne w/Indian Summer DJs

Wednesday, 4 January

Trinity Bar, Canberra

Thursday, 5 January

Woodland Bar, Brisbane

Saturday, 7 January