Q&A: TATYANA
Lush, catchy, dark, minimal, and original, London-based TATYANA’s new single “Back In My Head” wraps itself around you. A classically trained harpist who fell into London’s underground rave scene, TATYANA has lived across Holland, Russia, Singapore, and Boston where she attended Berklee College of Music. We sat down with TATYANA to learn more about what inspires her lavish beats, how she ended up on Sinderlyn (Homeshake’s label), and how she defies expectations on her forthcoming mixtape, MELT.
Congrats on your signing to Sinderlyn! Would you mind introducing yourself and your music? How did you come to be a part of the Sinderlyn family?
I make electro harp pop - it’s basically synths, beats, verbed out harp and lots of autotune. I uploaded some demos a while ago to soundcloud. Those songs were the first iteration of what this project has become. Somehow Jane Abernethy (of Omnian Music Group) found them, and our beautiful partnership began!
Who were the first few artists in the underground London rave scene who drew you in?
It’s not so much who, but how. I was drawn in by these communities who were creating spaces where you could truly express yourself - it was super welcoming after the competitive nature of music school. I really enjoy performing at raves because people actually dance and there is a lot of love in the room.
Could you share more about your training as a classical harp player and how it influences the music you make now?
I don’t know how much influence it has really. I still love classical music - I listen to BBC Radio 3 everyday. To me, Rachmaninov, Stravinsky and Shostakovich composed “perfect music”. In all honesty, I think I’m more influenced by ABBA who in their own way also made “perfect music”. They took a lot from classical traditions too, like chord progressions from Bach and stuff. It’s all connected.
"Back In My Head" feels like a journal entry with an irresistible club beat, could you share more about writing it?
It started off as a 2am musical journal entry, and then when I was fleshing it out I decided I wanted to make it sound really good on a club system. It goes off on big speakers. Sandy Finlayson, the mix engineer, did a brilliant job.
What other genres, styles, and/or moods can your fans expect on your forthcoming 'MELT' mixtape?
I write a lot of music and most of it doesn’t fit into planned releases like EPs and Albums. ‘MELT’ is a playlist type project that I could release this kind of music under - quirky songs, club music, things outside of my normal vibe. Expect the unexpected.
Love your visuals, could you share more about the process of making them? Has this year's quarantine & bizarre turn-of-events had any effect on what you want to create?
Pre-pandemic I was really into DIY visuals - making stuff on my own in my bedroom using my laptop camera and iPhone. I made the "Shadow on the Wall" visual (LINK) almost a year before the quarantine started. It’s had the opposite effect on me! Now I’m looking forward to making something big and sleek, and collaborating with friends. Lots of people on set. That’s what I’m feeling.