Q: Hey, can you tell us a bit about where you come from, and what made you want to start a career in music?
A: My name is Tana, and I am an artist and songwriter from London UK.
I started making music professionally when I was 12 years old. For me music has always been in my DNA, it’s just something that I knew I had and wanted to do.
Q: And what other artists have you found yourself listening to lately?
A: I like to keep my playlist interesting, so I’ve been listening to a lot of different music lately, such as Pink Pantheress, Ice Spice, Fred again, and Central Cee.
Q: Who were your first and strongest musical influences?
A: Britney Spears, The Black Eyed Peas, and Pink definitely paved the way for me in my early years. I remember turning on the TV before going to school and just listening to their music everyday. Currently, my musical influences are Kehlani, Doja Cat, The Weeknd, and The Neighbourhood.
Q: You have just released your new single, ‘Hollywood Problems’. Is there a story behind it?
A: ‘Hollywood Problems’ is essentially about a girl that loves the high life, yet there are so many issues with her and the city she’s in. People always tend to think that LA is the city of dreams, but it’s also a city of broken dreams. I wrote this song because LA has always interested me, and when I think of it, it feels like I’m in some sort of simulation, nothing is real.
Q: Can we expect a new EP or even an album from you in the near future?
A: I would like to release an EP somewhere down the line, but for now I’m just releasing singles until I build my fanbase a bit more.
Q: What do you feel are the key elements in your music that should resonate with listeners, and how would you personally describe your sound?
A: When people listen to my music, I want them to feel free and feel like they’re being their true authentic self. I would describe my music as being unapologetic, revolutionary and liberating, placing diversity at heart.
Q: Do you feel that your music is giving you back just as much fulfilment as the amount of work you are putting into it, or are you expecting something more?
A: Little by little, I am seeing things come into fruition, butI always want more. There’s so much more that I want to achieve like winning a grammy, and touring the world and selling out shows. I know I’ll get there in the end, I just have to keep pushing.
Q: Could you describe your creative processes? How do usually start, and go about shaping ideas into a completed song?
A: Each song is different. Sometimes I like to start an idea by messing around with some chords or a melody, and then the lyrics follow after. Or sometimes I already have a concept in mind, and then the music comes. No song process is the same.
Q: What has been the most difficult thing you’ve had to endure in your life or music career so far?
A: Finding my tribe. It took me years before I found the right people to work with that get me creatively.
Also being independent. Don’t get me wrong it’s great because you have full control over every aspect of your business, but you’re doing everything yourself and sometimes it can feel like you’re not heard or getting enough support because there might be some limitations, but all I can say is that you’ve got to keep going.
Q: On the contrary, what would you consider a successful, proud or significant point in your life or music career so far?
A: Headlining UK Black Pride to a crowd of 25K people. It was epic!
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