Tanya George Debut Album “Contrast” Out July 29
Stepping closer to the long-awaited release of her debut full-length album, dynamic Melbourne electro-soul multi-instrumentalist, singer, songwriter and award-winning performer Tanya George today unveils an infectious new single and music video The Devil, taken from her forthcoming LP Contrast, due out on July 29. And to celebrate her debut album’s release, Tanya will also christen Contrast live in action at a special hometown launch show at Wax Music Lounge on August 8.
A slinky blend of soul, indie, R&B and pop, brand new track The Devil buries a knowing wink on a foundation of laidback grooves, infectious melodies and hypnotic bounce. A self-aware ode to temptation, sliding from innocent wallflower to willing participant, The Devil balances percolating warmth and depth with a light-hearted spin on its underlying subject matter, helmed by Tanya’s effortless vocals.
“This is one of my favourite songs, and it’s become a real crowd favourite too. Hearing people sing it back to me at the top of their lungs is a special feeling, so I can’t wait for it to finally be out in the world, and people can dance around their houses singing it,” shares Tanya. “The song weaves together a collection of experiences and observations. It’s about watching people navigate life through their vices, seeing struggles unfold in different cities, and witnessing those with wealth and power become entangled in things they probably shouldn’t. Temptation is everywhere; it doesn’t discriminate. I played around with the lyrics for a long time and even considered telling the story from a third-person perspective, beginning with “He was…” In the end, I chose a perspective that felt more immediate and honest, but that question stayed with me throughout the writing process and today.”
Produced by Tanya herself, along with additional producing from Lewis Pidutti and mastering courtesy of Lachlan Carrick, The Devil also arrives today with an accompanying music video, filmed by Brandon Li Wan Po, aimed to spark a conversation behind the message of the song with a formidable band, including Swinthin Anthony Oliver (Jessica Mauboy) on bass guitar, Liam Conroy on keys, Leon Kechayas (Emmanuel Kelly, Reece Mastin) on drums and Jesse Bear (Miguel, Bilal, Solange Knowles) on guitar.
Lifted from her forthcoming debut full-length, Contrast, The Devil joins the 10 tracks that make up the album. Dazzling with elements of soul, R&B, neo soul and pop, rooted in the lineage of Sade, Erykah Badu, Jamiroquai and Amy Winehouse, it was also fittingly 10 years ago that Tanya first began writing the 10 songs that would ultimately become Contrast, with many of the record’s songs penned in her soon to be 90-year old Dutch Oma’s (grandma) home. With the album’s release date also coinciding with her Oma’s 90th birthday, Contrast in fact opens with Oma’s Contrast Intro, a musing spoken word introduction from Tanya’s beloved Oma. And it is this resounding embracing of juxtaposition that powerfully permeates Contrast from start to finish, from the charming upbeat jaunt of Serious through to effortless bounce (Unjust Things), suave and undulating charisma (The Devil), powerful R&B-hued ruminations (Piece of Mess), and sumptuous odes to matters of the heart (Can’t Love Anymore). In its latter half, Contrast nods to its opener with Oma’s Interlude; another poignant spoken word outing from Tanya’s Oma once again that touches on the mysteries of time, before shimmering with acoustic simplicity and buoyant melodies (Have You), silky smooth grooves laden with affable beats (No Soul), and ultimately closing out on Daffodils & Violet Skies, with its swooning melodies and lush arrangement balanced alongside the addition of fellow Melbourne artist Blush’ko.
An album that spanned relationships ending, savings running out, “producers not getting it”, Tanya adds, as well as a pandemic and a long, quiet stretch of finishing proceedings alone in 2023, the upcoming release of Contrast showcases, celebrates and unpacks the many contrasts in Tanya’s own life, while also forming a universal album that is as versatile as its namesake, while also offering a cohesive body of work from a truly gifted and resonant artist.
“A part of my brain is always asking, Have I done enough? Is this the right time? Is this the right release date?” shares Tanya of her upcoming album. “But an even bigger part of me says, Who cares? It’s time to share it with the world. There will never be a perfect moment, and in many ways, this feels exactly like the right one.”
“I actually finished the album back in 2023,” Tanya adds, “but after pouring everything I had into creating it as an independent artist, I was completely exhausted. I needed some space to step away, recharge, and come back to it with fresh eyes (and a little more energy!). I played shows in Europe and really found myself. Now, I’m more than ready. I feel genuinely excited, and I know I’ll have such a deep sense of fulfilment finally sharing these songs with the world. When I was 21, I promised myself I would make this album with these songs. It has taken longer than I imagined and demanded more resilience than I ever expected, but I’m incredibly proud that I’ve kept that promise to myself. That means just as much to me as the music itself.”
Armed with a unique blend of soul, jazz and electro tones and a 4.5 octave vocal range, Tanya George’s innovative style colourfully reflects her upbringing in St Kilda, Melbourne’s bustling arts and entertainment hub. Sharpening her craft in the iconic Bourke Street busking scene in Melbourne, she evolved into a gifted vocal looper, expanding her distinctive and dynamic vocal looping setup into a core part of her sound. Tanya’s electro-soul flair saw her reach the Top 5 on The Voice Australia (Season 10, 2021) as part of Team Rita Ora, place 4th overall at the prestigious Gwangju Busking World Cup in South Korea in 2023, win 2022’s Buskers By The Lake competition, win the 2018 Queenscliff Music Festival Busking Competition and also receive the Alex Legg Memorial Foundation Scholarship Award in 2020. Releasing her debut solo EP Sonder in 2018, Tanya followed up with a 2020 EP, Normality, and also released a standalone single Welcome as part of the Melbourne Music Week and Metro Tunnel Project ‘Home Made Sound’ initiative.
A consummate and magnetic live performer, Tanya has previously performed at the likes of St Kilda Festival, Melbourne International Jazz Festival, Womadelaide and Queenscliff Music Festival, and will officially launch her new album Contrast live in action next month with a special hometown show on Saturday 8 August at Wax Music Lounge in Melbourne. Boasting a six-piece band, including Tanya on vocals, Stella Anning on guitar, Selene Messinis on keys and piano, Liam Powell on bass, Kane Watts on drums and Will Larsen on saxophone, this special performance will offer Tanya, her incredible band and fans a chance to come together and christen Contrast in spectacular fashion.
“A Tanya George show is like one big hug,” Tanya says, “it’s a place to laugh, move your body, connect, and have a great time together. In fact, a few people have actually met the loves of their lives at my shows, so apparently I’m Cupid too! They’re all still together, which I like to take as a good sign.”
“The six piece band will be the highlight and we are adding saxophone,” Tanya continues. “We have 3 females in the band. I’ll be sharing a little of my solo vocal looping throughout the night, but the heart of the show will be a beautifully elevated live version of the album. To top it all off, Wax Music Lounge will be completely transformed into Tanya World for one very special evening with new merch and vinyl.”
The Devil is out today.
Contrast is due out on July 29, vinyl available to preorder here.
TANYA GEORGE – UPCOMING TOUR DATES:
TUES 7 JULY | THE TOFF TUESDAYS | 18+
Tanya George hosts at the Toff with Melbourne Improv Collective, Line up
SAT 18 JUL | EVOKE SOUNDS, MELBOURNE VIC | ALL AGES
Acoustic show with co-bill Xanthe, Shai Rose
Tickets available from https://events.humanitix.com/evoke-sounds-lounge-room-sessions-vol-16/tickets
SUN 19 JUL | WHITEHART BAR, MELBOURNE CBD VIC | ALL AGES
Co-bill with Liona Tatafu — Halo Sundays
FREE entry
SAT 8 AUG | WAX MUSIC LOUNGE, MELBOURNE VIC | 18+
Tanya George ‘Contrast’ Album Launch
Tickets available from https://ra.co/events/2475905
FRI 14 – SAT 15 AUG | UBUD FOLK FESTIVAL, UBUD BALI | ALL AGES
Festival tickets via www.ubudfolkfestival.com
SAT 24 AUG – FRI 1 SEP | CHENGDU SISTER YOUTH MUSIC FESTIVAL, CHENGDU CHINA | ALL AGES
Festival event in China
SUN 15 NOV | PRAHRAN MARKET, MELBOURNE VIC | ALL AGES
Band takeover — FREE entry, no ticket required
