When I phone Thomas Oliver he’s about to head into a skateboard store to update his wheels. You can’t deny Oliver the pleasure of some chill-out time; he and his band have worked hard over the last few years, and 2011 looks like it is going to be one hectic – and successful – year for them.

It all kicks off on New Year’s Eve at La De Da, New Zealand’s newest music festival hosted by Alana Estate vineyard and set in the in the beautiful Wairarapa. The Thomas Oliver Band are ‘stoked’ to be part of what promises to be a rip-roaring massive event; Salmonella Dub, Kora, Hollie Smith and Katchafire are but a few of the bands bringing the new year to 12,000 people - that’s one big New Year’s Eve party!

So, what will be on Oliver’s roadtrip mixtape for the short drive from the band’s Wellington base to the beautiful Wairarapa? ‘Definitely some Dave Matthews Band, some Ben Harper … and … BB King!’

Could that be because TTOB have recently secured a place on the lineup for the Grassroots festival in April, alongside Mr King and Mr Harper as well as other musical greats like Elvis Costello?

‘Yeah! That’s pretty much our ultimate gig so far!’

Speaking of ultimate gigging, Wellingtonians have recently given TTOB the huge compliment of ‘best live act’. And, it seems Auckland is picking up on the vibe too. ‘And Palmerston North. For some reason we have a big following there’ (there are probably many reasons, but we’ll leave them for another time!).

From all reports, a TTOB gig is a powerhouse of energy and music not to be missed. ‘There’s a real intensity to the live gigs. It’s great,’ says Oliver who. as well as being the band’s namesake and lead vocalist, plays steel guitar and harmonica. Luckily the rest of the country gets to wrap their ears and move their bodies to the rootsy-bluesy-rock sound with alt-country twang of TTOB soon with the lads playing some more vineyards (Church Road, Mudhouse), this time in the company of Joe Cocker and George Thorogood, and they’re releasing an album in early 2011 with a tour to take their music to the nation.

‘We’re so looking forward to just getting our music out there. The two songs that we’ve released - ‘Baby, I’ll Play’ (title track) and ‘Goin’ Home’ - represent the blusier side of our music. But we don’t just stick to the one sound. It’s a full-length album of twelve songs, which gives us a good chance to display the diversity of our music. You can’t get the scope by listening to one track. You need to hear at least six! There are some harder, rockier tracks, and then there are the delicate, lighter ones.’

Awwww. something for everyone, then.

Undoubtedly, it’s a huge summer ahead, but the band will ensure that there are numerous barbeques and beers to help keep them chilled out. They met and became fast friends at the New Zealand Music School, and when not putting in long hours playing music, they enjoy watching the odd game of cricket or perfecting their skateboard skills. Oliver’s favourite summer holiday destination is Taupo, where camping by the lakeside has just got to rate as one of life’s top pleasures. And when asked what he’d bring to the (imagined) Yahoo!Xtra Entertainment Christmas table, he thinks for a moment, ‘Lasagna! Not very Christmassy, I know, but you can’t go past it’. And for sweet treats? ‘Definitely my dad’s Death by Chocolate Mud Mousse Cake with Raspberry Sauce’.

Oh!-Em!-Gee! Can I have the recipe? ‘No. Sorry, it’s a closely-guarded family secret’.

Reluctant as he is to give up this secret recipe, Thomas Oliver and his band will be sure to share some sweet sounds with the nation this summer. Get in quick, because, just like pavlova, the Aussies have their eyes on this band, and may just try and claim them. Oliver says he’s looking forward to getting in a tour to Australia, but that all the band love lil’ old New Zealand.

So, what’s caught Thomas’s eye at the skateboard store? Would he buy Ben Harper’s signature slide guitar that doubles as a skateboard?

‘Personally, I’d rather keep my $4,000 delicately hand-crafted slide guitar separate from my skateboard, but hey, it’s an idea!’

Hang loose with The Thomas Oliver Band at:
La De Da (tickets are sold out, but check the facebook fan page and you could find some room to groove)
Jan: Festival Of Lights, New Plymouth; Church Road (Hawke’s Bay) and Mudhouse Winery (Christchurch) w/ Joe Cocker and George Thorogood
Feb/March: Watch out for ‘Baby, I’ll Play’ coming to music stores everywhere, with tour dates to be announced
April: Grassroots festival with BB King, Ben Harper, Elvis Costello, Rodrigo Y Gabriela, tickets on sale now!