GoMAD: New collaborations and whole lot of sass on the cards for Tanya Nambiar

The lead singer of former rock and roll band Gravy Train gets candid about her solo career 
Tanya
Tanya

1. The jazz and R&B influence are clear. Is there any era of the Jazz or R&B that you were drawn to?

There is so much to learn from each era. I'm a big fan of Amy Winehouse, Etta James, Peggy Lee and Erykah Badu. The confidence, sassiness and music of these women is what influenced me a lot. 

2. There are three different images that your EP Good Girls Gone evokes - this inner badass woman, a love story and an expression of love. Was there a cohesive mental image that the EP evokes for you?

Good Girls Gone is a reflection of who I am. She is an emotional rebel. The title track is my reply to when the media would blame the women. Call me a feminist if you have to. I have heard the most absurd stuff from our politicians over the past few years - "women get raped because they eat chowmein" (yeah some minister actually said that), "women shouldn't wear jeans if they want to avoid rape", "women shouldn't go out alone." All these statements would just make my blood boil and this gave birth to Good Girls Gone. If doing things my way makes me a bad girl then I rather be a bad girl for life! 

3. After Gravy Train, how did you approach the idea of taking your music to the stage?

I was crushed after my band gravy train split up. I had invested so much in it and the split really made me feel empty. I had to restart all over again. I spent a year writing my songs and figuring out my new direction in music. I decided to launch myself as a solo artist in 2016. I found a bunch of musicians and started my solo journey. It was scary and exciting at the same time. I am grateful that people are loving my new act. 

4. You recently put out your rendition of Wicked Games by Chris Isaak, which was very unlike its original. If there was one song you would sing exactly like the original what would it be?

When I hear a song ,  I always try and give it my own touch. And people really enjoyed my version of Wicked Games. But if there was one song that I would sing exactly like the original , it would be Back to Black by Amy Winehouse.

5. 2017 was the year you released your EP. What’s Tanya Nambiar got in store for 2018?

Another EP, more music videos and definitely a calendar filled with gigs. Music is all I got and all I want to be occupied with. Also a lot of collaborations with electronic music producers. It's nice to experiment with different genres. 

6. What's on your list for the GoMAD festival?

A full original set and a brand new single which the crowd will get to hear! I cannot wait to perform in beautiful Ooty. 

7. Any collabs with your Indian counterparts that we could look forward to?

Yeah a bunch of collaborations coming up with producers like Mr. Doss (Bangalore) and Massiv (Pune) and some international collaborations also in the pipeline which I will announce when the time is right. 

8. What's your idea of a perfect song? Does anything come to mind?

There is no perfect song. A song is perfect depending on what mood you are in. And I'm a moody girl.

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