Tizane is a pop rock artist who’s been officially making music for four years now. Her newest album Forever is Nothing is being released on the 23rd of June. And so, in preparations for Forever is Nothing, I’m here to introduce you to Tizane, introduce you to their music and for those of you who are already fans, tell you a bit more about the upcoming album.
How did you get involved in music itself?
“It’s more like music got involved with me rather than the other way round. My mum is a brilliant singer and used to be in a band – so there was always a leaning in that direction.”
Tizane explains how she “suffered very badly with anxiety as a child, and it rather served to screw up my education, so I joined a local music college. I learned piano and keyboards and started to write songs. In my later teens I started to do all the local open mic nights which is where I met my manager.”
How has your creative process changed over time?
“Yes, enormously. I started out as a ‘one girl band’ and I would write, perform, and produce all my own stuff. The classic digital bedroom warrior. I was the saddest of sad girls. As I started to perform more, I developed a more credible understanding of the audience, and I became more electric. I formed a band and we’re now rocking it out with the best of them. More mad girl than sad girl.”
Does your music on the whole have a specific message?
“I don’t really set out with a guiding message, but there does seem to be a through line of love and loss – mainly loss actually. You can hear it inside all the ten songs from our forthcoming album, Forever is Nothing.” Incredibly prevalent themes, in life, and as stated, in the upcoming album.
Where do you get your overall inspiration from?
“Well again, it’s moved dramatically post band because their input and influences have deeply coloured mine. I’m now listening to other artists and seek other outcomes. Currently I think we’re in a Paramore meets Pink Floyd phase. Unlikely but true.” This Paramore meets Pink Floyd sound is an accurate assessment regarding the stunning sound of the album.
Now onto the actual album, Forever Is Nothing.
What inspired each of the songs in the upcoming album?
“‘Forever is Nothing’ contains ten songs and has been a year in construction. It really serves as a history of the band as we now are, Charlie Harris on guitar, Nathan Gordon on bass and Greg Titmarsh on drums. We developed this overarching concept of light and shade which we came to call ‘Beauty and the Beast’ whereby all the songs captured something of my sad girl roots and our hard rock present. Don’t ask me for a favourite because I love them all and couldn’t be more excited to finally hold a copy in my paws.”
The album begins with the soft opening of ‘Off the edge’. With slow vocals and instrumentals, the song is purely pretty. Tizane has a truly captivating voice. As the music builds up backing vocals are added, driving the message home, adding a certain power to the track. With a faint reminder of sleeping with sirens this track has a very pop punk alternative sound working perfecting with the soft drumming and contrasting harsher sound.
Following ‘Off The Edge’ is ‘Don’t tell me the end’ which is striking for its immediately more upbeat, harder sound and faster pace. The instruments seem to centre around the vocals. Following a similar pattern throughout the song, drawing attention to the lyrically fun aspects.
Next is one of my personal favourites, ‘When the ravens leave’. Starting very soft and pretty (giving remnants of a punkier folklore), this song holds a kind of witchy, soft rock vibe. This prolonged slower start contrasts to the heavier drumming later on. This new sound doesn’t remove the prettier elements of the song and although the track is more revolved around the instruments the vocals are simply stunning! ‘When The Ravens Leave’ plays with the emotions in all the best ways.
Channelling her ‘sad girl origins’, Tizane’s next song is titled ‘I’m Not her’. Beginning with a solo guitar, ‘I’m Not Her’ is another softer track. With heart wrenching lyrics, this track begins more acoustic before building up again.
The next track is called ‘Small World’ with its Paramore esque beginning this one has a unique sound and distinctive beat, perfect for head banging and singing along to. Playing with pace a lot this song is a reminder of Tizane’s remarkable voice.
Following ‘Small World’ is ‘Every minute’ with their signature opening but a quick build up, ‘Every Minute maintains a steady beat and a classic pop punk sound. The song feels like a collaboration of Hey Violet vocals meets the pretty reckless beats.
‘Who’s gonna hurt me now’ is the next song, reminding me of bands like the pretty reckless and Paramore. This track has a questioning, heart wrenching and emotional stance to it with slow vocals that are incorporated so they don’t take from the overall rock energy with well and truly notable guitar solos!
The next track on Forever is Nothing is named ‘Running’. Likely unintentional, ‘Running’ has a remarkably similar intro to ‘bad habits’ by nerv. That being said, the song develops into a song of unique power and express sadness.
And now we come to the penultimate song, ‘Why Not Me’ which is immediately a bit jauntier in tune. It’s taken in all of the rock elements of Tizane’s music and as such, this one feels louder, a brilliant addition to the album.
Finally, the albums namesake, ‘Forever Is Nothing’, a bittersweet song, that I’m sure will be classed as a pop punk hit before we know it. We can see this coming to life already, after all; “Forever is Nothing, actually got playlisted on BBC Radio 2 and was happily being played by everyone from Jo Whiley to Michael Ball – a very surreal moment.” The backstory and narrative of ‘Forever is Nothing’ represents the heart-breaking elements to the whole album, “Forever is Nothing, the song, is a tale of unrequited love where the singer is reaching out to a first love and swearing an undying devotion”.
What’s the process behind your music videos?
You can, of course, find Tizane’s music on places like Spotify. That being said, we’re lucky enough to have YouTube to our disposal as well where you can find Tizane’s music videos. When asked about the subject Tizane states, “these things are always a bit of a balancing act between aspiration and cost. I deeply envy major artists who can merrily dream up a million-pound video and then go and make it. With me you’re gonna need to knock off three zeros making for a fairly lo-fi production.” That being said, she likes “to be very hands-on in the process and took the directorial reins in our latest masterpiece, ‘I’m Not Her’”, which you can find on YouTube alongside some of her other works.
Do you have any upcoming gigs?
“Yes. We have a few festivals throughout the summer including one big local event, Priory Live in Orpington with Stereo MC’s. I’m very much looking forward to the Summer Firework Festival in Herne Bay where I’ll be doing the countdown to the display. Little things as they say. We’re also doing some supports with seminal Punk band, Eater, which I’m really excited for.”
Do you have a favourite song to perform?
“Favourites are always difficult for me because I tend to think of the songs as my children so it’s always a bit of a Sophie’s Choice. Probably in the here and now and with a fully twisted arm, I would have to say ‘Why Not Me’ because it gives me a chance to burst out of my Tizane skin and come with a mighty burst of full-on Janis Joplin. It’s really angsty and fun – but if you ask me tomorrow, I’ll probably come up with something completely different. It’s a girl thing.” Well said.
And so, with that I urge you to find Tizane’s music, her YouTube, her Spotify, whatever it may be. Give it a listen, and prepare for the upcoming album, Forever is Nothing.