“I like sexy music and it’s actually my top criterion for music that I love,” says Tamaryn.
For those who adore synth-infused shoegaze tunes like Sleep Party People, The Bilinda Butchers and Thud, New York-based New Zealand shoegaze vocalist and songwriter Tamaryn washes over with her soft seductive vocals and blissful walls of sound.
Interview with Tamaryn
Having released three brilliant albums since 2008 – The Waves, Tender New Signs and Cranekiss – Tamaryn (real name Tamaryn Brown) has impressed us with her intriguing mixture of musical styles that range from shoegaze and dream pop to post-punk. With her songs revolving around themes of love and lust, Tamaryn explains to us the raw emotions and implications behind the albums and her songwriting.
Hi, Tamaryn. Are you tired of the shoegaze tag and the Cocteau Twins reference people make when they first hear your music?
No, I don’t care what people say about it as long as they’re listening. I like shoegaze but I know my music is more than your typical shoegaze thing. But hey, if people like that genre and hear my music is that, then it can only help.
Are there certain emotions that you feel compelled to express with your music?
Loss, longing and liberation.
Your latest album Cranekiss was released in 2015, are you working on something new at the moment?
Yes. The new album is being mixed right now. It should come out Winter 2018!
How do you situate the idea of love and sex in your songwriting?
It was a real focal point of the Cranekiss album. That’s where I was at then. The new album is more about pain I think – facing it and releasing it. But sex is always a part of music. If it’s not, it probably is a boring song to be honest. I like sexy music and it’s actually my top criterion for music that I love.
So I’ve read you and your family were exiled from New Zealand and moved to the States when you were young. How would you picture the life of Tamaryn, if in a parallel universe, had never left NZ?
Hopefully I’d be lounging on the beach right now eating fish and chips.
What kind of (spiritual) experience do you want to create for your listeners while playing live?
Total release. Hypnotic embrace. Hair flip throbbing massive.
Can you share with us your current playlist? From real favourites to guilty pleasure, all are welcome.
Guilt isn’t a healthy emotion…
PIL – The Order of Death
HTRK – Fascinator
Xmal Deutschland – Autumn
The Glove – Orgy
Nona Hendrix – Transformation
Massive Attack – Safe From Harm
Valerie Dore – Get Closer
Pale Saints – Kinky Love
Sade – Cherry Pie
Depeche Mode – Fly on The Windscreen
OMD – Messages
Missing Persons – Surrender Your Heart
Madonna – Justify My Love
Bryan Ferry – Don’t Stop The Dance
Style Council – Shout to The Top
Scritti Politti – Absolute
Johnny Hates Jazz – Shattered Dreams
Icehouse – No Promises
Billy Idol – Flesh For Fantasy
Everything But the Girl – Wrong
Jamie Principle – Waiting on My Angel
Keep up-to-date with Tamaryn here.
