Katrina Rees
Following the release of her singles ‘In The Wild‘ and ‘Burn Notice’, singer-songwriter Tiggi Hawke is back with her EP, also called Burn Notice, which showcases her signature floaty, electronic dream-pop sound.
Shimmering synths are effortlessly fused with Tiggi’s brand of raw, deeply personal lyricism and the spirit of unflinching honesty. ‘In The Wild’ and ‘Burn Notice’ sit comfortably alongside two brand new tracks, ‘Hollow Talk’ and ‘If You Dare’. The collection showcases a torrent of feeling and emotion that simply demands to be recognised as Tiggi draws from her own life and experiences when crafting her music.
“None of my music is ever going to be 100% happy because I don’t feel like that reflects life,” she says. “That’s just a rose-tinted version of life, that we maybe see on Instagram. I can pretty much guarantee that it won’t be like that. So all of my lyrics, all of my stories, are from things I’ve been through, and that I’ve experienced.”
We caught up with Tiggi to discuss her music memories, dream collaborations, what it’s like working in TileYard Studios, and what the future holds for the singer-songwriter.
What is your earliest memory of music?
My mum has some awesome home videos of me as a baby “singing”, obviously not something I remember myself but she maintains I preferred to sing than talk! I learnt violin at a young age so I remember the evening practising (I’m so sorry, parents!) and loved making up silly tunes as a child and writing them down (I found my childhood notebooks the other day, hilarious and painful at the same time!).
You studied science before deciding to embrace music full time. What made you decide to change your career path?
Science is something I’ll always have an interest in and definitely something I’d like to go back to later in life, but the reason I went to study chemistry was because a teacher in high school told me I would never be able to study chemistry, and I have a bad habit of doing things people tell me I can’t do! I was still working in the music industry while I studied but I couldn’t give either my full attention so I decided to quit science and give everything to music. I knew what I wanted to do from the start though so it wasn’t a tough decision, I went straight back to London and the rest is history!
How would you describe your music to anyone who hasn’t heard it yet?
Floaty electro-pop with a side of kickass, some raw, honest lyrics and quirky sounds!
Your new single from your EP is called ‘Burn Notice’, can you tell us a bit about it?
I’d love to! Well I say that, but I like to keep things ambiguous, one of the joys of music for me is that it can mean so many different things to different people and I don’t want to dictate what it should mean. In a very vague nutshell, I was being messed around by some people in my life and I finally decided that I shouldn’t give them a 5th chance and I couldn’t deal with the toxic relationships they seemed to enjoy.
The track was co-written with Sigala and Marli Harwood (Kygo, Olly Murs) – what was it like working with them?
The most chilled session ever! Sigala is such a talent, it’s literally like breathing for him and Marli is something else, she’s a goldmine of ideas and melodies. It was one of those days when work just doesn’t feel like work! There were some great selfies that day but I’m under STRICT instructions not to show them to you… I brought a flower crown to the studio that day!
Who else would you like to write or collaborate with in the future?
The list is immense. Dua Lipa, Fais and Kungs to name but a few! I’m so fortunate to be located at TileYard and the talent there seems to be never-ending. I love collaborating with people, I think it can bring out the best in people when you can bounce off each other and often I end up trying things musically that I’d never even thought of before!
You’ve been likened to Taylor Swift and Ellie Goulding by many outlets – are they singers you look up to musically? Who else inspires you?
Oh absolutely, Taylor and Ellie (yes, we’re on first name basis’!) are such music goals! It’s an absolute honour to be likened to them. They’re always developing themselves, they’ve never stalled in their music journeys which is incredible, I think it takes a lot to keep going like that. Sia is another artist I look up to, Paloma Faith as well. All of them are such fantastic artists, definitely people to aspire to!
You write a lot of your own music – do you have a favourite lyric that you’ve written?
That’s a tough one! My lyrics mean a lot to me, I don’t think I could write something and not mean it. There’s a lyric in a song called ‘If You Dare’ which will be out soon and I spent ages trying to find a way to describe that feeling when your heartbeat is so strong, its electrifying and you feel like people can actually hear it, especially the person its beating for! “Each pulse I had was shouting out, its shouting out, so I surrendered, to do what I don’t and let it all go”, it was literally the most accurate description of how I was feeling!
If you could have written any song in the world, what song would it be and why?
Just one?! It’s almost a crime to choose… I think it’d have to be ‘American Pie’ by Don McLean, as soon as I hear it I’m transported back to family Sunday afternoons, my dad had the best hits CD! (Plus I believe in rock and roll!) Instant awkward dancing… But if I’m honest there are TONS of songs I absolutely love, I really don’t think I can narrow it down to just one, ‘Walking in Memphis’ is another childhood favourite!
You’re based in TileYard Studios – what’s it like getting to develop yourself in the same creative hub that’s responsible for Mark Ronson, Ella Eyre etc?
Being at TileYard Studios is such an honour, their roster of artists, writers and producers is legendary and I feel very lucky to be able to be a part of it, especially alongside such prolific artists like Mark Ronson, Tiggs da Author, Sigala and Ella. Its such a hub and a fantastic one for new artists like myself. Their team is one of a kind, they manage to get the best out of you and push you in the right way… It’s a dream come true!
What’s the best piece of advice you’ve been given?
Prepare yourself for one hell of a ride… And man, it has been just that! I kinda thought it was a joke and laughed it off but now I’m glad they gave me an inkling! Actually it was Marli Harwood who told me that, her advice and mentorship have been invaluable to me. It’s been a rollercoaster of epic proportions!
Do you have any live shows coming up?
We’re just finishing up rehearsals at the moment and we’ll be releasing some live shows VERY soon, so watch this space!!
When you’re not pouring your heart and soul into music, how do you like to spend your time?
When I’m stressed, I draw and bake cakes! I like to keep myself occupied, I’m not a sunbather on holiday either. I recently bought a Polaroid camera which I’ve fallen in love with, I stick the photos everywhere!
What’s next for Tiggi Hawke?
Well, my first EP is half released right now with the last 2 tracks on their way and I’m currently writing for my second EP. I did a stint in Copenhagen and Oslo which was so much fun and I can’t wait to get everything together for the next few releases, trust me guys, you’ll be the first to know!
Thank you for your time Tiggi!
Tiggi Hawke’s new EP Burn Notice is available to download now. Be sure to keep up to date with all things Tiggi by following her on Facebook and Twitter.
Share your thoughts with us on Twitter @CelebMix.
