Tiggi Hawke – High Season

By starrymag | June 3, 2021

By: Jamie Steinberg

 

 

Q) How would you describe your sound?

 

A) I would describe my sound as alternative electro-pop overall, which is quite a broad spectrum, but I love to collaborate with other artists and producers, so we often end up with songs and releases that are a great mix of my sound and theirs. I also love to experiment around that genre as well and sometimes it ends up great (not all the time though!)

 

Q) Who are some of your musical influences?

 

A) I had quite a varied musical upbringing from my parents, so I have a few different genre-d influences. I listened to (and still do listen to!) a lot of rock music and country music. I love the way Johnny Cash wrote his songs and the amazing storytelling behind each one, so he’s definitely been a songwriting inspiration for me. Finding new music and new artists, hearing people’s music and lyrics and feeling that emotional connection is super inspiring for me

 

Q) Talk about the story behind your new song “High Season.”

 

A) “High Season” is quite a personal song for me, but I think (and hope!) it can mean different things to different listeners. To me, it’s about chasing the feeling of euphoria that you can get in life, which can be quite elusive for me with the antidepressants and anxiety medication that I take. It’s almost a surreal, out-of-body experience that I definitely find myself chasing and looking for, even subconsciously and, for me, “High Season” is all about that feeling.

 

Q) What do you think it is about the song that fans connect to?

 

A) I always try and make my music quite ambiguous, as in though it may mean a particular thing to me, someone else could listen to it and make a connection through their own experiences and emotions. The funny thing is, while I’m writing about something specific, the other writers are thinking about something else maybe completely different that they relate to as well!

 

Q) How does the video for the track play into the message behind it?

 

A) Because of lockdown in the UK, I actually ended up having a visualizer video instead of a full filmed video. Normally, the video aspect always plays a big part in the release so it was weird not making one, but I adore the artwork and it was actually really great to use that in the visuals more.

 

Q) You started your journey in music at age 15! What advice would you give to up and coming musicians?

A) I would say it’s important to take a step back every now and again and realize how far you’ve actually come. It’s very easy to feel like you’re stuck or not moving forward as quickly as you’d like, and you lose sight of where you started out – something I definitely get tangled up in now and again! There’s a lot of people to compare yourself to and it’s always hard to break that cycle so having a moment to reflect and appreciate yourself is something I’ve found really amazing

 

Q) What is your song writing process? Do you need music before you can create lyrics?

 

A) It varies from session to session! Sometimes I’ll have a lyric or concept idea that sparks before any music is even played and other times a producer will use an amazing sound or play some chords or a beat that just lights up ideas in my head. I like to work either way. I don’t have a set way of starting a song at all. I also have a little note page on my phone (it used to be an actual notebook, but I lost it too many times!) that I write down lyric or hook ideas in, so I don’t forget them!

 

Q) How much of hand do you have in the production of your music?

 

A) I’m not a producer at all and I don’t play keys either, which limits me in what I can do production-wise myself. But I love being in the room with producers and bouncing ideas off them while they’re developing the track. I really like to be a part of the production side of things as sometimes I have quite a specific sonic idea that I’m looking for and the amazing producers I’ve worked with somehow manage to translate that from my brain to the project

 

Q) Will there be a full album or EP coming in the near future?

 

A) Currently, I don’t actually have any plans for an EP or an album. I’m focusing mainly on putting out singles as often as I can onto streaming services. That’s the best part for me, finally seeing my songs out in the world. It feels like it’s the culmination of all the hours of work from loads of different people – it’s an amazing feeling!

 

Q) With concerts currently on hold, what do you miss most about being on stage?

 

A) Everything! It feels so strange to think that it’s been over a year since I performed live. I really miss the energy and the connection with people when you’re gigging. I’ve done a few Instagram lives which I’ve enjoyed, but it’s not quite the same. I definitely miss being live-live if that makes sense!

 

Q) Where are some of your favorite places to perform and what makes those locations so significant to you?

A) I’ve been lucky enough to perform in some amazing venues. They all have amazing moments that stick in my mind and make each one so unique. What always makes a gig so amazing for me is everyone who comes and brings the energy to the venues! It sounds so cliched and cheesy but it’s true! I definitely felt that at Vibez festival in Switzerland. That day was amazing!

 

Q) Who would you most like to collaborate with on a song in the future?

 

A) I have a long, long, LONG dream list of people I’d love to work with. I would probably die of star-struck-ness if I got to work with The Weeknd, Sia or Imagine Dragons. I mean how insanely amazing would that be?!

 

Q) What album/band are you currently listening to and why do you dig them?

 

A) I’m loving Masked Wolf’s Astronaut in the Ocean right now. I’m obsessed! I’d not heard of him before and I’m so glad his song came up on shuffle. I’ve been playing it way too much! (as if there’s such a thing)

 

Q) You are a part of social media. Why is that such an important way for you to connect with your fans?

 

A) Especially now with the pandemic and the lockdowns, it’s been a lifesaver for me, which I kinda thought I’d never say. Without social media I have no idea how anyone would’ve connected more than a phone call or a text! I actually have a love-hate relationship with social media. I have to take time off of it every now and again, but it’s been invaluable in the last year to connect with people from around the world

 

Q) What would you like to say to everyone who is a fan and supporter of you and your work?

A) Thank you, thank you, THANK YOU!! Honestly, it means the world to me that even one person (aside from my mum!) listens to my music and comes along on my journey with me. It’s a crazy rollercoaster and your support means everything!