the groovement

By Bella Savignano | August 6, 2022

Multi-hyphenate extraordinaire Tanners is the hottie at the bejeweled gates of the Tannerverse, and she’s welcoming everyone in with open arms. The NYC-based popstar, songwriter, producer, and audio engineer grew up around music, taking voice lessons and playing in bands, but didn’t start to record music of her own until her junior year at New York University. Her music falls somewhere in the spectral haze between psychedelia and 2000s pop, influenced by the hallucinogenic magic of artists like Tame Impala and the innovative gleam of popstars like Rina Sawayama. Tanners’ most recent single, “Milk Money,” is a whimsical pop anthem that stemmed from an unfortunate incident the night before a recording session, where she was followed home.

“How could I feel so strong in my womanhood but also so frightened for my safety because of my womanhood?” Tanners reflected. The song is a reclamation of power, a synthesis where two opposing emotions–fear and empowerment–learn to co-exist.

We caught up with Tanners where she answered a few questions for the groovement:

How would you describe the music you make to someone who has never heard it?
I’ve always had trouble describing my music concisely but I guess that might be a good thing! But here’s the elevator pitch: My music sounds like if Tame Impala, Carly Rae Jepsen, and Rina Sawayama all got together and had a baby. One part psychedelia, two parts dreamy pop.

Do you have a goal with your music or any message to impart to your audience?
My goal is, and will always be, to connect with people through my music whether it’s via lyrics, my voice, production, a performance, a melody, a music video, etc. My favorite part about listening to music is when you hear a lyric that perfectly describes a feeling you’ve never been able to put words to. We’re all going through our own shit but I want to remind people that, at the end of the day, we’re never truly alone in our experiences.

Imagine you’re playing your dream show — where is it and who is on the billing with you?
I just got butterflies thinking about this. An all-out fantasy would be Tame Impala opening for me at Red Rocks.

What’s your pre-show routine?
I do a 30-minute vocal warm-up before soundcheck, and then lately I’ve been working with a stylist (shout out @badboyrory) and we usually spend a couple of hours getting into full glam, and then if I have time I’ll do a quick grounding meditation and another soft vocal warm up about 20 minutes before my set. I’ve actually been sober for my last few gigs but more often than not I’ll have a glass of wine (or two) in my hand before I go on stage 🙂

What’s next for you?!
Short-term, I’m playing at Elsewhere on the rooftop on Tuesday 9/27 with my friend, who happens to be one of my favorite artists, Mel 4Ever. Then I’m dropping a new single in October/November called “Romeo”! Think Donna Summer meets Abba at the roller disco in 2022.

Long-term, World domination. Everyone will be living in the Tannerverse by the year 2030 <3