Start Listening To: Thanya Iyer
We got in touch with Thanya Iyer to talk about finalising and releasing an album in lockdown and the state of the music industry.
How are you doing? Have you been coping through the pandemic? How have you been getting through the long lockdown days?
Ahhh. gosh. The pandemic. The quarantine. Its been filled with highs and lows. So many tides. Its been a time that’s created such loss for the whole world and a time where so many important realisations have happened in every area of life and I’m grateful for that. At the beginning of the quarantine I was mostly trying to come to terms with the fact that I had to turn my “planning for the future” brain off and get used to the present moment which was difficult. When you’re not running or racing to the next thing and the world gets quiet you start to listen more to whats going on inside and the struggles that come up and I found that there was never really anywhere to run. But, at the same time, you learn how to create the space you need and find peace in looking inwards but it’s constantly in flux. I was very much in a creative space and was trying to stick to a (maybe rigid) schedule that involved songwriting and music making and relaxing and exercising and that was great. But then I fell off that track and onto other things I’m also learning to be okay with slowing down and that has been good!
Your music very successfully messes around with traditional ideas of genre. For someone who has never heard you before, and who likes things oversimplified, what would you describe your music as?
Ooh. That’s a hard question and I have no idea but Pompey who plays bass in the band has once described the music as “future folk” and a friend in Philly once said “twinkle rock”. I’ve heard people say experimental pop, which is cool, and I like the words “augmented dreamy”, “experimentally soulful”, and “catchy cosmic” but who knows! I hope there is something in there for everyone to grasp on too and create meaning for themselves in the music apart from my ideas about it or what I think it means.
What are the main messages you wanted to get across with KIND?
I think KIND has taught me that life is not easy and it’s full of changes. Someone wrote about us and called It the messier side of self love and I think that rings very true, because life IS messy and we all just have to ride the waves. And through my waves I have felt so lucky to have amazing friends, family and community along the way. I think empowering your community is another message I want to get across, so that we grow together.
What inspired the lyrics on the album? Were there any key musical influences that spring to mind?
Hmm. Lyrics! Always so hard for me to write lyrics - but whenever it happens it either happens where a whole song will just come out in 10 minutes or after lots of improvisation and a daily practice of songwriting (there are different phases). But the lyrics are usually inspired by beautiful ideas that I’ve heard or emotions that I’ve been feeling. When I was writing KIND over the past 3 years I was listening to loooots of different music - St.Vincent’s 2009 album and Noname and Thundercat and Andrew Bird and Frank Ocean on repeat! We were also touring a lot and I was loving all the local bands and the great music that was coming out around me from my friends!
I struggle to pick out a favourite track on the album as it works so effectively as a complete package. If you pushed me I'd probably choose I Forget To Drink Water. Do you have a personal favourite track on the album?
Yeah! I think Bring back that which is Kind to you (it was such a release to write that one) and I forget to drink water are up there for me!
Are there any plans for you to play any shows in the UK once the world looks a little better? We'd love to have you!
YES! I mean obviously nothing is planned right now but we were really planning to make it out to Europe this fall with one of our best pals Merival from Toronto (Dates were booked). They are up in the air now but as soon as things are safe (trullllly safe) and we are in the clear we would love to get back on the road and keep meeting amazing new communities and visiting all our friends on the road! UK included!
If you could choose any three artists, dead or alive, to headline your dream festival, who's playing?
Oooh. Right now it would be Moses Sumney, Jamila Woods and Mereba! I think I would cry. Their albums have been so beautiful (and on repeat)!
We made it no secret in our review that we love your work. What name would you give your super-fanbase club and how can we become a member?
Thank you!! I’ve actually always wanted to start a website called thanya.club so maybe that? lol. Is the domain name taken yet? Thanyaworld?
If you were stranded on an island with the music-player of your choice, what kind of music would you want to have with you? Could you explain your selections?
I think I would hope there would be some old time/bluegrass or country music and I hope I could be fiddling along and singing three party harmonies with good friends on that island. Its such beautiful music that I feel connects us to the earth and to nature.
Do you have any intentions or aspirations to collaborate with any artists in particular? If so, who?
I love collaborating and play violin/piano/synth and voice in lots of different projects! There is so much amazing music - maybe Moses?
What can we expect from your music moving forward? Do you have any plans beyond the recently-released KIND?
I have dreams in the works of creating an EP/acoustic version of tunes with strings (this interview has now become my vision board) and eventually I’m going to release a sequel to the KIND visual album! (All the songs and more are written!!)
Finally, do you have any recommendations (life lessons, music, books, whatever you like!) for our readers?
I’m reading You can’t touch my hair (and other things I still have to explain) by Phoebe Robinson and it’s HILARIOUS and I highly recommend it and wish Phoebe and I could be friends one day. I also read another great magical book by Tanya Tagaq called Split Tooth.
Music-wise? Everything Moses Sumney and Mereba!
Thanya Iyer’s latest album, KIND, released July 31st this year and is available for streaming or purchase.