Q&A: TARN PK
Wellington-based artist, producer and songwriter Tarn PK drops his stunning new single ‘Street Noise’ - his latest music since he released his EP ‘Monarch’ which gained over 300k streams across all tracks. Maintaining his stripped back, lush vocal melodies, he delves into heavier production and new sonic worlds incorporating elements of hyperpop and alt-pop with this track, and we are loving it!
WE'D LOVE TO KNOW ABOUT YOUR MUSICAL JOURNEY SO FAR FROM WHEN YOU FIRST STARTED MAKING MUSIC?
I spent a long time making covers on my parents iMac and one day when I was about 15, I thought it would be cool to make my own thing. At high school I played in lots of bands, anything from Dixie Jazz to an EDM band my friend and I started. I released my first song in 2017 and from there it's been making music all the time and hoping it's improving!
WE JUST WANTED TO TAKE A QUICK THROWBACK TO YOUR LAST EP 'MONARCH' WHICH WE THOUGHT WAS AMAZING! WHAT WOULD YOU SAY WAS THE OVERALL CONCEPT OF THIS EP AND WHAT WERE YOUR MAIN HIGHLIGHTS WORKING ON IT?
Thank you so much! It’s a cliché but that was my lockdown EP and came from a time of creative block which was suddenly unblocked. It was a great couple of weeks and was particularly fun because it felt fresh and exciting for me, which is always important. A highlight of that EP would be sampling myself playing a wine glass at the start of ‘Serenity', just a random idea that ended up inspiring a whole song.
AWESOME! YOUR LATEST TRACK 'STREET NOISE' IS SO INCREDIBLE! CAN YOU TELL US ABOUT THE MEANING OF THIS TRACK AND THE INSPIRATION BEHIND IT?
After the release of my last EP, I was quite unsure about where to go next musically. It took a good year of experimenting with different things and seeing what fit. 'Street Noise' came from a particular sense of frustration at feeling like you’re falling behind everyone else. I was inspired by the idea of mixing music that felt like it was holding back and then also music which just hits you in the face.
SUCH AN INCREDIBLE CONCEPT! WHAT WAS THE WRITING & PRODUCTION PROCESS LIKE FOR 'STREET NOISE'?
That was one of those classic “started as a voice memo songs”. The terrible nylon acoustic guitar I played just had this awesome texture that felt enticing. The song really hit something when I added the electric guitar and turned up the distortion in the bridge, and it just seemed like something new for me.
DO YOU HAVE MORE NEW MUSIC ON THE WAY SOON?! IF SO, WHAT CAN WE EXPECT?
I’m currently working on a new EP which I’m hoping to release later in the year. Expect the unexpected … nah but seriously it’s quite different from my previous stuff!
WE CAN’T WAIT TO HEAR MORE MUSIC FROM YOU! WHO WOULD YOU SAY ARE YOUR BIGGEST INSPIRATIONS IN MUSIC?
In truth it probably changes daily. Currently Pharrell, Caroline Polachek and Jim E Stack.
WHO ARE SOME OF YOUR FAVOURITE NZ ARTISTS RIGHT NOW AND ARE THERE ANY SONGS IN PARTICULAR THAT YOU ESPECIALLY LOVE?
Maxwell Young was a recent discovery for me and I think his music is incredible. His song with the artist underscores, ‘Del mar county fair 2008’, is one of my faves. Also, Wellington artist VALENTINA is making some really awesome music.
WHAT DO YOU LOVE MOST ABOUT NEW ZEALAND? DO YOU HAVE ANY FAVOURITE PLACES TO TRAVEL TO OR LOCAL SPOTS THAT YOU LIKE TO VISIT?
There’s something chill and friendly about New Zealanders (generally) which I’m a fan of. As far as local spots, sunny places like Nelson are up there, but I want to explore more of the North Island now I’ve moved to Wellington.
WHAT ARE SOME OF THE BIGGEST LESSONS YOU’VE LEARNT AS AN ARTIST, AND WHAT ADVICE DO YOU HAVE FOR OTHER ARTISTS OUT THERE?
I think as an artist the key is making music that comes from as pure of a place as possible. If it excites you, that should be enough.
LASTLY, WE END ALL OUR INTERVIEWS WITH THIS QUESTION - IF YOU COULD SAY ONE THING TO EVERY PERSON IN THE WORLD, WHAT WOULD IT BE?
Oh wow I would probably need to say something deep, insightful and that would cause world peace and happiness. I’m not sure what that would be, so I might just say go stream Street Noise!!
Thanks so much Tarn PK! Make sure to keep up with him on Instagram, Facebook, Spotify & Apple Music.
