After dazzling us with a vibrant array of delights these last few months, Brighton’s Tamara Kramar is keeping the vibes high once again with her lofty new single ‘Sunflower’.
Set to feature on her upcoming new EP ‘Make It Poetic’, ‘Sunflower’ sees her returning with one of her most alluring efforts yet. So we caught up with her to find out more about what has been inspiring and influencing her recently.
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Can you tell us a bit about your musical background and how you got started in music?
My parents signed me up for piano classes when I was seven and despite my initial hate for it, I stuck with it for almost 9 years. It wasn’t until I was around 12 that I began to sing while playing the piano – that really made me fall in love with it. I then picked up the guitar when I was around 15 just because it was easier to carry around and here we are!
Who are some of your biggest musical influences, both past and present?
When I was younger, it was the CDs that I found at home that really shaped me musically. Those included music by Alicia Keys, Norah Jones and Amy Winehouse. Later I fell in love with artists like Nina Simone and Ella Fitzgerald. These days I also look up to incredible songwriters and performers like Eloise or Olivia Dean.
Are there any specific artists or bands that have had a significant impact on your music style or approach?
Just before the pandemic I discovered Bruno Major and through him Eloise. I was instantly impressed by both of their songwriting abilities and guitar playing techniques so when the pandemic kicked off and I had time on my hands, I just copied what they do haha! I learned so much about the guitar and it opened a whole new world of possibilities for me.
Could you share any memorable moments or experiences that have shaped your musical journey so far?
The first time I performed an original song at an open mic was a moment that really shifted something in me! After years of performing covers I felt a certain pride and connection and knew I wanted to keep writing. Seeing Lianne La Havas perform on a huge festival stage completely by herself and absolutely grabbing everyone’s attention was another push for me to keep writing and to learn more about the guitar! Another big moment for me was when I discovered the live album of Erykah Badu’s Baduism. That really shaped how I view live music and greatly inspired the direction in which I took my band.
How do you express your personal experiences and identity through your music?
I like to get quite personal in my songs and find it difficult to write about external things that I have not felt or experienced. That being said, I also enjoy finding balance between personal and general when it comes to storytelling in songs. I think there is a sweet spot in which a song can be completely personal to the writer but equally relatable to the potential audience and that I find beautiful.
Have you faced any challenges or obstacles as a female musician, and if so, how have you overcome them?
I still get asked who my guitarist is or what producer I work with. It is still sometimes hard for people to understand that it could just be me who plays guitar and produces! I do not see these as obstacles or setbacks, but opportunities to politely raise awareness about all the incredible female talent in the industry.
Are there any particular themes or messages that you aim to convey through your music?
Even though my songs usually come from a sad, disappointed, or frustrated place, I try to have fun with it and write with ease and a sense of humour. I guess the message is that things are often not as bad as they seem and even the worst heartbreak can lead to a fun song.
Can you talk about your creative process and how you go about writing and producing your music?
I like to work alone. As an introvert, I get intimidated in writing sessions, so I like to have a solid idea for a song before I invite other brains into it. I am constantly collecting inspiration into my phone, whether that be me recording little voice memos or writing down words and sentences that sound good to me. I then go back to those when I sit at home with my guitar and that is how my songs are born!
How do you hope your music will resonate with your audience, especially with other aspiring female musicians?
I hope it inspires female musicians to just be themselves and create whatever is meaningful to them! I believe authenticity is the most important and very attractive! Just do you and the right people will come.
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Listen to Tamara Kramar’s new single ‘Sunflower’ below.
Photo Credit: Karin Vargova