Despite its reputation, sometimes social media can really do us wonders, and believe it or not it can actually be for so much more than just sharing those cute cat videos and tagging each other in wholesome memes. Social media for musicians can be a really great tool and for fans, an even bigger gift. This is exactly how I managed to stumble across Tash Sultana. Loop pedal extraordinaire, phenomenal live performer and all round awesome human, Tash burst onto the scene after her bedroom recording sessions blew up on social media. As an artist however, Tash had been presenting her unique sound to the masses whilst busking on the streets of Melbourne well before we began seeing the videos circulating the internet. Tash has since sold out shows all over the world and played on some of the biggest festival stages across the country and the globe. Thankfully for Novocastrians, Tash will be back in our humble corner of the world for This That, this November. In the lead up, we asked some questions about songwriting, touring and collaborating.
Why is it that you like to make music?
When you’ve got this thing inside of you that drives you, you just go and do it, so I make music. It’s the only thing that I can do that gives me complete peace of mind.
What’s really inspiring you to create, write and make music at the moment?
I take inspiration from everywhere; people, experiences, my surroundings, music.
Is there anyone you’re really hoping to collaborate with, that you haven’t had a chance to work with yet?
I love Erykah Badu. She wrote one of my favourite songs in the world; ‘Didn’t cha know’. Every time I hear it I’m like laying out all the instruments in the song, like how I would loop a song. But I didn’t write it, and I can’t play as good, so working with her would be cool.
The first time people were really introduced to you and your music, was through the videos you posted on Facebook. How do you translate that really intimate bedroom experience into your stage shows?
The stage is where I’m most comfortable and can completely be who I am and what I’m born to be. When I play its exactly the same whether I’m jamming in front of a GoPro in my bedroom or playing to 20,000 people at a festival.
I love ‘Murder to the Mind,’ can you tell me a little bit more about that particular track?
Murder to the mind is another song about a girl. I bought myself a Nord keyboard and was just playing around with some chords and the rest of the song kind of followed from there.
You’ve played at so many amazing locations, all around the world, can you possibly name a highlight?
Highlight would be the fact that every show has been completely diverse and sold out around the world.
Your touring schedule is honestly incredibly insane, yet somehow you’ve found time to write and record your debut album set for release early next year. How do you find the time to write when you’re constantly crossing countries?
Being on tour honestly makes or breaks you, I can play a show easy but it’s the shit in between that you’ve got to work hard at. Writing is very cathartic for me, I’m always writing whenever I can, whether it is lyrics or just my thoughts.
You’ve played some huge festivals including Splendour in the Grass, Laneway, Groovin the Moo and now you’ve just been announced on the This That line up, what is it about playing festivals that you love so much?
It’s the coolest thing seeing people sing your lyrics back. That’s your message to the world getting sung back to you, it’s like ultimate respect.
You’ve been to Newcastle a few times now, is there anything in particular that you really love about playing for a Newcastle crowd?
The crowds are always super respectful. They’re loud when they’re meant to be loud and quiet when it feels right.
Catch Tash, amongst a whole host of other amazing artists at This That, on the 4th of November in Wickam Park.
