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Interview with
TANA

(13th July 2023)

Interview by Dave Bruce

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Tana: “Be real and be a voice for others”.

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A genre-bending artist, influenced by the rich and diverse views on the gay culture. Queer voice with Italian & Nigerian roots based in London. Unapologetic, revolutionary and liberating, she places diversity at heart. 

Having signed her song ‘Savage’ to Sony US & Babygrande records (also featured on the A3C compilation album), and written for Chinese artist ‘Jike Junyi’, Tana is an artist & songwriter with unique charge and flair for lyrics & melody. Her tracks have been championed by ‘Gay Times’ – following her recent main stage performance at UK Black Pride 2022 where she performed in front 25K people. In addition, Tana has been featured on BBC introducing, Reprezent Radio, Soho Radio, Pulse 88 and Trace Urban, as well as being featured in numerous publications such as Earmilk, AnR Factory and many more.

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Press

“Armed with a soothing angelic vocal tone and insightful lyrics, Tana delivers a gripping performance with  a profound theme” – Earmilk

“A bit of freshness, a bit of groove, here we are transported into the dynamic and bewitching musical universe that this emerging artist offers us this evening.” – Iggy Magazine

“Tana uses her impeccable songwriting techniques to take you deep” – Buzz Music

With a stupendously alluring style that has you shivering with excitement as you just know that she is the type of artist the world has been looking for, Tana shows us that self-belief and hard work are actually missing keys that so many have in their possession already on ‘Ritual‘. – AnRfactory

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Have you always wanted to be a musician? When did you get the song writing bug?
I’ve always wanted to be an artist since I can remember. I was torn between pursuing acting and music, but I fell in love with the process of songwriting and performing on stage. I started writing when I was 12 and recorded my first song when I was 14, and it was absolutely terrible. For some time, I actually didn’t enjoy songwriting because I wasn’t very good at it, but I kept writing and got better and now I love it, it’s an amazing form of expression and I love being able to tell a story.

How would you describe your sound? Why do you think fans resonate with your music?
Unapologetic, revolutionary, and liberating. I think my music resonates with people because I talk about my experiences, queer love, and my dreams and goals. I just try to communicate what’s going on in my life through music whilst always being my authentic self.

Which artist’s music and/or performance, past or present, inspires you today? 
I’m a huge Doja Cat fan…hoping she reads this and wants to collaborate one day!

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MUSIC

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Your new single ‘Kiss Me Like We’re Gonna Die’ has just been released! Describe its origin and evolution. 
I wrote the song last November, and like most of my songs I wrote this one on my guitar in my bedroom, and then got it produced. I haven’t written a ballad before so this one was different, and I usually write when I’m going through something. ‘Kiss Me Like We’re Gonna Die’ is about my last relationship, and in all the madness that went on, it was a beautiful relationship that did keep me going during my best and worst times.

Is there an EP or Album on the drawing board?
Maybe sometime next year. I’m kind of going with the flow, making and releasing music that I like before committing to a project like an EP.

Any tours or events coming up soon? What are you looking forward to, and what can the fans expect?
I’ve just come back from playing shows in Toronto, Estonia, and London Pride, so the focus is writing new music and releasing it. I also want to make a few music videos before the end of the year. I’ve got some killer tracks that would pair up nicely with some visuals and give it more of a push.

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If you could perform with any music artist, Alive or Dead, who would you choose? And why? 
There are so many artists that inspire me, it’s hard to choose just one but I’d love to play with Drake, The Neighbourhood, Dojo Cat, Dominic Fike, and Ice Spice.

What are your long-term aspirations as a music artist?
To tour the world, make great music, and make amazing memories with the people I love.

What piece of advice would you give to an artist starting out? 
Just release music that you like and eventually people will follow through. You have to be a bit delusional to make it in this industry, and that’s the best advice any has ever given me. You have to be so sure of yourself that you’re gonna make it, that you almost seem a bit crazy lol.

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What is the best thing about performing to a live audience? What’s been the career highlight so far?
The best thing is the crowd interaction, it gets me going and I always try to engage with my audience and make them feel like the music is talking directly to them. My favourite memory to date is my most recent performance at Pride In London. I did a set at Leicester Square stage, and then a private set at the Hearst Magazine office space. Both audiences were completely different, but such a vibe. One was super intimate, and the other was just so big and loud which I absolutely love.

Finally, a few questions for some quick answers –
FAVOURITE:
Album – Hard To Imagine The Neighbourhood Ever Changing
Artist – Dojo Cat
Movie –  Girl, Interrupted
Place to visit –  Berlin
Venue to play –  The O2
Food –  Anything African or Asian
Drink –  Spicy margarita
Tattoo – I have a couple of tattoos but my favourite one is an Arabic tattoo I have on my neck that says ‘love’.

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Follow TANA
Website – Instagram – Facebook –  Twitter
Tiktok – Spotify – YouTube

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AMNPLIFY – DB