Project Description

Interview with

TAFARI ANTHONY

Interviewer – Dave Bruce

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Have you always wanted to be a musician? When did you get the song writing bug?
I grew up with parents that were both in music – so it was always encouraged. I started writing songs probably around 8 or 9. I used to make multi track demos on cassette tapes with my sisters. Some really weird random songs, but I think this was the starting point of playing with melodies and words.

How would you describe your sound? Why do you think people resonate with your music?
I’d describe my sound as “Soulful Pop”. I grew up on so many different genres and really try to infuse them in what I do as much as I can. People resonate with authenticity, and I think this is part of it. I spent a lot of time trying to make music I thought people would like or I was told would be the key. I truly feel once I stopped trying to be “cool” and just started to write and make music that felt good to me, people started to connect more with me and my music.

Which artist’s music and/or performance, past or present, inspires you today? 
I still take a lot of inspiration from Brandy’s studio work. I remember listening to her albums growing up and being in awe of the vocal production, styling and arrangements. I really learned how I wanted my vocals to sound an d my arrangements to feel from her music.

Your new single has just been released! Describe its origin and evolution. 
I wrote “Live in a Dream” in January of 2018. Just when I had decided to take some time off from releasing music and focus on writing and exploring some new sounds. I was in a very reflective space at the time and thinking a lot about how much I was obsessing about other’s successes compared to mine. To the point where I really was feeling like I was working so hard and no matter what good would come my way it wasn’t good enough.
Last year I started to seek out producers for the songs I had written and after many failed attempts trying to connect with producers in Toronto I decided to broaden my search. I ended up on Soundbetter powered by Spotify and connecting with Alexander Flockhart (Off Bloom). This ended up being the second song we worked on. We connected instantly on musical tastes and I felt like he really got what I was trying to do with my version of pop music.

Is there an EP or Album on the drawing board?
I’m always working… so who knows! When I feel like a body of work is there to call it an EP or album then it will come! I’m hoping through releasing these handful of singles I will be able to get some support from an indie label to better push out an EP or album. So if you know any labels interested, let me know!

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If you could perform with any music artist, Alive or Dead, who would you choose? And why? 
Oh boy… I’m gonna have to say Amy Winehouse. We definitely lost her too soon and in such a tragic way. I think it would’ve been great to not only hear how our voices and styles blended together, but also just to be in the presence of her greatness. I would love to have experienced watching her creative process.

Do you have any long-term aspirations as a music artist? 
I would really love to get to a point where I get to really build my shows and tour proper. Creating bodies of work I’m really proud of, from recording to music videos to stage show. I also really want to get more involved with writing for other artists. I really enjoy the process of collaborating this way, and in the long-term it’s something I think would bring me a lot of happiness.

What is the best thing about performing to a live audience? What’s been the career highlight so far?
It’s definitely the energy you get back from the audience that really can’t be replicated any other way. You can do the same show a million times, but what makes it different is the audience. What they give back to you greatly affects how the show goes and can create really special moments.
A highlight for me so far was being able to put together a show at The Harbourfront Centre in Toronto, Canada. I don’t often get to do my full out show with full band and everything. So this was a very special moment for me to be able to do that and introduce my music to people who may not have known my work so well.

Finally, a few questions for some quick answers –
FAVOURITE:
Album – Miseducation of Lauryn Hill
Artist – Brandy
Movie – Princess and the Frog [Don’t judge me – I love a hardworking queen/princess]
Place to visit – London, England
Venue to play – Harbourfront Centre
Food –  Indian food
Drink – Tequila
Person in History –  Nina Simone
Tattoo – (If you don’t have one, what would you get?) Not for me haha

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Check out TAFARI ANTHONY below
YouTube | Facebook  | Instagram  | Twitter 

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Tafari (pronounced Ta-far-eye) Anthony is a Toronto based artist whose music blends Pop, R&B and Soul. He is an artist who embodies the spirit of the modern musician. Not just a musician, but a creator. Known for his sleek vocal tones, sultry melodies and music which oozes with personality, Tafari leaves listeners in awe – somewhat apt considering his name means “He who inspires awe”.

His influences range from artists like Prince and John Legend, to more contemporary artists like Lennon Stella and Charlie Puth, among others. Often described as a mix of Sam Smith and MNEK, Tafari creates deeply emotional songs that resonate across generations. “All of these artists are creating music that is pop in its own right, but also so different from each other”, shares the musician.

Having taken a break from music in 2018 to focus on creating new material which explored his own personal soundscape, Tafari returned early 2020 with the release of “Centerfold” – a pop anthem which took both critics and fans by storm. Following closely in its footsteps is the infectious “Live in a Dream”. Narrating the struggle to find contentment in your current situation, Tafari confides,

“We are constantly trying to strive for more, and I know personally I feel a great deal of failure or shame if I don’t live upto expectations. Far too often in my career I’ve had many people try to tell me who I should be and try to mold me into something that they’ve already seen. The promise of a greater future if you do this and that, had me do many things I would’ve never done in order to chase someone else’s vision. But I had to slow down and stop worrying about what I don’t have, and who I don’t know and be happy to live my own personal journey.”

The inspiring new single encourages others to dream like we used to when we were children – dream despite the obstacles, setbacks, and alternate routes that try to stop us. Fight for what you want, take back your power and find contentment in your current situation. 

“Live in a Dream” sonically has a rebellious feel to it. Produced by Alexander Flockhart (Off Bloom, What So Not, Vera, Kill J, Malou Prytz), the two connected with each other on SoundBetter (Powered by Spotify for Artists) and instantly resonated on their mutual goal of creating genre-bending pop music with an edge. Tafari was aware of the UK pop scene and as a result the new single incorporates elements of afro-beat and a reggae inspired marching anthem. With influences such as HolyChild, Seinabo Sey and Labrinth, the new single emits a very matter of fact approach. Determined beats, resolute lyrics and vivacious pop soundscapes all ascend into a dynamic and completely addictive track, highlighting the singer’s powerhouse vocals.

Tafari has seen success with his music garnering acclaim from the likes of PAPER Magazine, Earmilk and Variance Magazine, to name a few. He has been nominated for a Toronto Independent Music Award and receives regular airplay on CBC Radio, with one of his singles being named one of CBC’s Most Influential Songs of 2016. The singer has also performed alongside Shangela (RuPaul’s Drag Race) and has performed at Toronto’s Dundas Square and Massey Hall.

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AMNPLIFY – DB