Here at Pride, we always love to champion talent that deserves to have a big audience, and help get as many people listening to their work as possible. Someone to place firmly on your radar this Autumn is Roxanne Tataei, a singer-songwriter hailing from South London whose unique style of atmospheric, evocative, wavy soul gets into your head and burrows a place there for hours to come.
After four years of creation, taking her from her DIY recording studio in Streatham, to the Blue Mountains of Kingston, Jamaica, her sophomore studio album, Full Moon in Aries, is finally available for streaming and download – and it’s an example of a good thing coming to those who wait! Roxanne told us a little bit more about her musical process, the freedom of being an independent artist, her influences – and her funniest on-stage moment…
Hi Roxanne! Let’s start at the top: when did you know that singing was your path?
It’s hard to say when that poignant moment was, because I’ve been singing every since I can remember. I grew up in a house, where breaking into song, with three-part harmony, was a daily occurrence. However, my first experience of singing in front of an audience was at church. It was there, where I experienced JUST how powerful sound can be. The moment when it leaves your mouth, paired with the intention of your heart, and in that moment you surrender to the highest, and magic flows through you.
How would you describe your music to someone about to listen for the first time?
It’s hard to say, not because it’s that obscure, or I’m trying to be pretentious – but it’s really because my music moves and flows in waves. I’d say for this album, I’m mostly exploring trip-hop, psychedelia and soul. The common thread though is it’s always sensual music. Actually let’s go with that: sensual music.
Some people might know you by your previous stage name, ‘Rox’. What was your motivation for transitioning to ‘Roxanne Tataei’?
Well, ‘Roxanne Tataei’ is my government name. Roxanne is a Persian name, and I have Persian heritage. It means bright star/ day dawning. I feel like names are symbolic & can be self-prophesying. It’s my way of acknowledging that.
Your videos are so artistic and interesting – do you visualise how the song will ‘look’ when you write and record them?
Thank you 🙂 But when I write, my main concern is how the song feels. Feeling takes president for me, everything else is secondary. Then from that feeling, it later transpires into visual ideas.
Roxanne Tataei – Crimson Eyes
Your music incorporates lots of different genres and influences. Do you think black/mixed female artists are often boxed in to do either R&B or rap – and do you like defying these expectations?
Sure we are. Being a black person in this world means you’re automatically labelled and categorised. Unfortunately, that isn’t something unique to the music industry. And re: defying expectations… It’s not really something I even think about when creating; I just do as I feel. And it just happens to come out the way it does. Personally, I think it’s better to make music that is true to you. Who knows: maybe one day I’ll make a R&B/ rap album, if that’s the mood at the time. The most important thing for people to realise is there’s so many beautiful ways to be black and you can be more than one thing, at any time! I believe by having us all, doing a range of things, across different spectrums, helps us to reclaim our identity & creates a 4 dimensional perspective of blackness.
What do you enjoy most about being an independent artist?
The freedom to create what I want, when I want, how I want. It’s the definition of what my friends and I call ‘Free up’.
What are three albums you couldn’t live without?
Damn, I could never whittle it down to just three, but the albums I couldn’t live without, at the moment moment are:
1. The Love Below – Andre 3000
2. H.E.R – Her
3. Con Todo El Mundo – Khruangbin
Roxanne Tataei (Photo by Adama Jalloh)
Who’s your dream collaborator?
Does that apply only to the living? If not, Jimi Hendrix all day.
What’s the funniest experience you’ve had while performing?
Lol. I think back in 2011, at a festival in England, I forget where now.. Anyway, I did my usual extra thing at the time, of running out to the audience, in 5 inch heels, in a very Las Vegas, showgirl way. No one had thought told me it had started to rain & that the front of the stage was covered in water. Anyway, before i knew it i was flat on the floor & legs in the air. I stayed down there for a good 2min, hysterically laughing whilst simultaneously dying of embarrassment.
If you weren’t a singer, what would you be doing?
Hmmm. A nutritionist or some type of holistic therapist? It’s funny, because I’m basically an unqualified one now. I’m the girl your friends and family call when they have ailments or health issues. ‘Botantical Rox’, as they like to call me.
What’s the inspiration behind album title ‘Full Moon in Aries’?
It’s about the human experience. My human experience. Learning how to navigate between the human and spiritual world and all the complexities & intricacies which arise when doing so.
What are you looking forward to for the rest of 2018?
Making more art, sharing more art & making money. Looking forward for my pay cheque to reflect my work ethic & creative output ha…
Roxanne Tataei’s album, Full Moon In Aries, is out now.
