Born and raised in Melbourne’s dynamic arts hub of St Kilda, Tanya George embodies the city’s evolutionary musical spirit. Pushing soul, jazzy R&B, pop, and electro tones to innovative heights, she first refined her signature craft as a staple of the iconic Bourke Street busking scene. Today, her intricate vocal looping setup has earned her international acclaim, most recently landing her a top four spot at the Gwangju Busking World Cup in South Korea. Joined by her incredible band, Tanya’s live shows are nothing short of sensational. We sat down with her to chat about her sound, her journey, and what fuels her relentless creativity.
Hi, thanks for taking the time to chat with Hear 2 Zen, what have you been up to today?
Hi there! Of course.
I’ve just come off two amazing shows; one at Evoke Sounds and another at Whitehart Bar where I played acoustic versions of songs from the album as a lead-up to my big album launch at Wax Music Lounge on August 8th. My cup is so full right now, and it’s been incredible to feel so much support from everyone. I’m really grateful that people are getting behind the music.
Tell us about yourself, how long have you been performing/creating music for?
I think I started singing at age 5 in the Australian Girls Choir and then I moved to private lessons. I loved singing so much and the way it calmed me down. I have been performing live since I was about 15, I snuck into a bar underage just to play at an open mic night!
Who are your greatest inspirations? Why?
So many, I find it’s more little things that inspire me like Nature Boy Nat King Coles version, but I don’t necessarily listen to any other songs of his. Yet I love Ariana Grande’s vocals and how technically good she is but I love Erykah Badu and her musical choices she makes vocally with phrasing and the way she hears music, then there is the grooves of Jamiroquai.
How do you create music? Are you lyrics/story driven, or does the music/melody come first? Explain your process.
It could be anything, a word, a feeling, a chord progression, a melody, someone who makes me extremely upset, an emotion or an experience. Once I catch onto an idea, that’s it I’ll be fixated on it. There are certain songs on my debut album coming out that I wrote in 3 days all together as I had locked myself inside after getting very hurt by someone. I am so glad I did because now I have these songs. It made the pain worth it and “zenned me out.”
What has been your greatest challenge so far in performing/creating music?
Touring solo was very difficult at times, mostly in Australia but I always had the best time, it just would get a little but lonely, that’s why I am glad to have the band back for a while.
Tell us about your new release, The Devil, how did it come about?
The Devil: it’s about temptation and I am inviting you to discuss itI wanted to open up a conversation. I’ve seen firsthand how temptation can shape our lives and how difficult it can be to stay on the right path. I’ve watched friends and former partners struggle with addiction, or even randoms through years of busking on the streets. I’ve also seen the impact that poor choices and difficult circumstances can have on people’s lives. I’ve had my own battles with peer pressure too. The truth is, we’re all surrounded by something unhealthy in one way or another, and it all starts somewhere. That’s why I believe it’s important to be honest about these struggles and talk about them rather than hiding them. The more we have these conversations, the more we create understanding, compassion and reminders we may need.
What advice do you have to artists who are just starting out?
It really does take time, time to learn, grow, develop. I took my time. It is okay to do that, I always felt a pressure to do this album and I must get it done. Thank goodness I waited and gave myself a break to recoup and recollect myself after finishing it. I was so tired and I needed to gain some energy back. If I had pushed through and released this album any earlier, it wouldn’t have been right. I feel like I am ready now. Trust that feeling and yourself. Happiness is meant to coexist with big dreams. Make sure your feeling happy first.
Tell us your favourite Zen practice.
5 minute anxiety reduction mediation, a cup of tea and my favourite is a sauna session. I love going to the sauna. Of course, singing is a zen practice for me too, just singing a song I love for myself when no one is around.
Whether she’s building complex vocal tapestries solo or captivating a crowd alongside her full powerhouse band, Tanya George continues to prove why she’s one of the most exciting acts on the scene today. You can experience that magic firsthand at the official launch for her new release, Contrast, on August 8th at Wax Music Lounge, where Tanya and her band will be bringing the record to life. Be sure to stream Contrast on all major platforms, follow Tanya on social media to stay up to date on future tour dates, and grab your tickets before they sell out!
