Looking up to modern pop greats such as The 1975, LANEY and The Japanese House, Tabi Kate extracts the best of the pop genre and transfuses it into her infectiously electric creations that spark the imagination and leave a mark in your memory. Tabi has released 2 singles already, including her first song ‘Closer’ which has exceeded over 2000 streams. Tabi Kate’s newest upcoming single ‘Sour’ puts 80s seasoning on top of a modern electronic R&B groove, infusing its melodies with pop hooks. Supported alongside a bohemian music video. Accompanied by her three-piece band, Tabi’s live experience transcends the audience so their heads live in the clouds and their feet stay dancing.
By Kamil Bobin
Discovered via Musosoup
Hello Tabi Kate. What made you want to become a musician?
I have always loved music from a young age, dancing to pop tracks in my bedroom, I’ve loved the way music has made me feel. I wanted to write music and create songs that make me feel happy. I first performed in front of people when I was twelve years old at a school concert, I loved the experience of singing and performing and I wanted to carry on. Once I got to music university this is where I decided to get serious about where I wanted to go with my music. I’d always written songs, mostly just little tunes when I was younger but writing songs now comes naturally to me and I enjoy being creative with the writing process.
Do you have any hobbies or interests outside of music?
Yes! I have a few hobbies, I like to do a lot of home baking, making cakes and brownies and other sweet treats, I find it very therapeutic. I also enjoy going out with my friends, having lunch and shopping trips, I find retail therapy to be a very relaxing time hah
Your latest song is 'Empty Pillow'. Can you tell us more about the making of it and if there were any unusual things happening during the process?
I wrote ‘Empty Pillow’ back last year in March during the lockdown. I didn’t really plan on where I wanted the song to go as I was writing it, I had a few little melodies in my head that I started to build around. Starting from the first verse I knew I wanted this song to sound dreamy filled with synthesisers whilst still keeping the pop element to it. It didn’t take long for my producer Taegan Venner to create the track and all its elements, we took inspiration from ‘The Japanese House’ and ‘The 1975’s’ The Sound. We went to Pirate Studios in Brighton to record all the vocals and put the whole song together. I wrote the song lyrics about a relationship between two people, somebody dreaming of this perfect person/perfect relationship, however they realise that it wasn’t so good after all, and they would rather have their own company than be with the wrong person. I hope that many people can relate to these lyrics and be able to feel comfort from the song.
When you are working through problems in your work, who do you talk to?
Usually I talk to my band members who are my very close friends from uni, we work out what I need to do and resolve any problems that I have.
What jobs have you done other than being an artist?
I used to work in retail but now I have a job working as a baker for coffee shops Wolfox and Pelicano coffee in Brighton. I make cakes and tray bakes for the cafes.
Describe your favorite and least favorite part about being a musician.
My favourite part about being a musician is being able to perform in front of people, I love to sing, especially songs that I have written or co written with friends, being able to write music helps me express my feelings and emotions, turning my words into a song that I get to perform with my amazing bandmates. My least favourite part is how overwhelming the whole process of using social media to promote myself as an independent artist is. Sometimes I feel unmotivated with how I see myself as an artist, it’s hard to keep positive about my music and myself. I’m guilty of always comparing myself to other people, comparing the number of streams on a song, the number of followers on Instagram and how many likes and comments I get on post. I need to remind myself that it’s not gonna happen overnight and getting to where I want to be in my career will take time.
What’s your scariest experience?
My scariest experience was definitely when I released my first song. This was the first time I was presenting myself to a larger group of people. Not knowing if people are going to like my music or not is the scariest feeling.
What are you focussing on right now?
Right now I’m focusing on the next single release, and getting more gigs set up with my band. I would like to play more bigger shows in Brighton and London to expand my music to other people.
If you could change anything about the industry, what would it be?
If I could change anything about the industry I would want all musicians to be paid for every gig that they do. Doing an open mic or a show is a lot of fun, but the work that goes into rehearsals and practice can sometimes be very tiring and draining, it’s nice to be given compensation after a performance. However, not to say that I don’t appreciate all the opportunities that I get to perform because I am forever grateful to be able to play my music for other people as music brings everyone together.
What accomplishments do you see yourself achieving in the next five to 10 years?
It’s hard to know what I will see myself achieving in the next five to 10 years however I have many goals that I would like to aim towards. I would love to write, record and perform music under a signed label, me and the band would love to go on tour and play shows in different venues across the UK and maybe Europe if there was ever an opportunity to branch out. I want my music to reach out to as many people as it can, I think my songs will appeal to a lot of people who have strong emotions for relationships, love, loss, and life. I want my music to inspire other musicians who are nervous to start releasing songs to be brave and do what makes them happy. Don’t wait until it’s too late, take the chance and go for it! You never know what could happen!