Melbourne/Naarm outfit Krakatau are playing this year’s JERKFEST. They have spent the past decade carving out a distinct space where jazz fusion, progressive rock and left-field experimentation collide. Formed by James Tom and Dylan Lieberman, the band’s sound has evolved from psychedelic roots into long-form, exploratory compositions that feel both deeply referential and unmistakably modern. With a new LP Terra Ignota on the horizon, Gimmie caught up with Tom to talk, instrumental storytelling, film obsessions and the challenge of making sense of an always-on world.

Who or what made you fall in love with music?

JAMES: The first song I fell in love with at a young age was ‘Hit the Road Jack’ by Ray Charles. I can’t recall why exactly, my guess is the immediacy of good songwriting!  

Are you working on new songs or ideas that you’re excited about?

JAMES: We have a forthcoming full length LP Terra Ignota coming out in May 2026 (which captures the long period between releases) and a few tunes that are in different stages of completion we have not yet recorded.

What’s something you care about deeply that might not necessarily show up in your songs?

JAMES: I don’t necessarily think any of what we care about as social issues really show up in direct ways in our music. These can be harder themes to express directly with instrumental music, but I would say the main thing I have been thinking about the past few years is the fractured experience of being connected to a mass of decentralised information and how I do not think humans are meant to be connected in this way at all times. 

Which song do you like playing live the most and why?

JAMES: We are playing some fun material written by artists we look up to and interchange this material between our own compositions. For example ‘Madagascar’ written by Richie Beirach (RIP 26.01.2026) for the John Abercrombie Quartet and their 1980 LP originally released on ECM Records has been a lot of fun.  

What’s your biggest non-musical obsession right now?

JAMES: I mean my second most consuming hobby has always been watching films. Some note worthy watches the last three months include: The Ice Storm (1997), The Long Good Friday (1980), Let It Ride (1989), The 4th Man (1983), Spetters (1980), Short Eyes (1977), Dreams (1990) & Shoot the Moon (1982).

Check out more Krakatau. Follow @krakatau.music.