Introducing: Tiña
What do you get when you combine a pink cowboy hat, dance-moves that Kate Bush could only wish she’d done first and Westminster Bridge? Let us refer you to the music video for Dip by Tiña.
Formed through a network of club nights and a lengthy history of playing together, the natural progression of the South London-based band has come to full fruition. Finding the group in a crowd isn't too difficult either – most likely decked out in pink, they definitely don't take themselves too seriously. But that’s not to say the same about their music. Their catchy melodies fuse elements of psychedelia with their own idiosyncratic sound and their current releases just leave us wanting more. Fresh from signing to Dan Carey’s reputable label Speedy Wunderground, I sat down for a chat with lead-singer Joshua Loftin to learn more about the band and what's next for them.
LB: How’s life in the Q treating you?
JL: I’d say it’s good and then it’s tough… but I wouldn’t say bad. I spend quite a lot of time with myself which means a lot of introspection – it can be difficult because I think you busy yourself with life and then when you slow down it’s a bit of a hard look at yourself, you know? But yeah, managing.
What’s the meaning behind the pink?
It’s a mixture of humour and softness – not taking anything too seriously. I think it’s just not letting ourselves get caught up with the band image – I originally wore a pink shirt and blazer, then someone gave me the pink cowboy hat and it stuck.
"If from the get-go you’re taking the piss out of the whole exclusivity...the humour makes the experience inclusive and we can just focus on the music."
Both Dip and I Feel Fine were produced by Dan Carey of Speedy Wunderground, who you’ve recently signed with! How do your songs come together during recording?
Lyrically, it’s a very reflective process, a good song will come around when I’m just on the corner of something. I think if I tried to write a song it would probably be bad… too much like a recipe or something. After that, I’ll take the song to the rest of the band who musically shape it. They’ll write their own parts and jam with it – the composition comes together as a group. Working with Dan has been such a beautiful process, he’s so grounded and has such a facilitative role.
Photos taken over Zoom bu Poppy Richler
Do you all have similar musical inspirations?
There are definitely crossovers, but everybody’s got their own personal taste… although George likes Neil Young and Adam doesn’t. More than a certain genre, we all have a mutual appreciation for ethos and people pushing the boundaries of music.
What’s your favourite song to perform live?
It’s usually the newest song because the feeling is the most exciting. The more you play a song, just like when you listen to one, the less special it becomes. If I had to choose, I would say Rosalina or New Boy. (Keep your eyes peeled for their upcoming album!)
Let’s talk about your brilliant video for Dip – how did you end up on Westminster Bridge in nothing but pink shorts?
Being in my little tiny pink shorts on Westminster Bridge was just an idea that stuck with me after listening to the song. The thought of London being quite a difficult city to live in,
its oppressiveness, resonated with me, and there’s nothing more vulnerable than being in what looks like your underwear on a huge main bridge – that thing of risking something and exposing yourself to circumstance that could maybe go wrong. I wanted to dance in the video because I feel like that’s such a self-conscious experience, I liked that idea of letting go.
I’m curious, what were people’s reactions to your tiny pink shorts on Westminster bridge?
Everyone was like “WHAT?!” and I think nearly everyone there was recording bits and some guy that cycled past was like “Go on son!” After like a minute the police came and they told me to get off the bridge. I thought I might get arrested but they were surprisingly nice about it – I think they actually said thank you?
Who are you listening to in quarantine to stay sane?
I’ve been listening to a lot of Kelley Stoltz’ album Double Exposure. I listened to Brian Eno’s song Burning Airplanes this morning, and there’s also been a lot of Little Dragon and Girl Ray’s first album, Earl Grey.
If you could quarantine with anyone in history who would it be?
Musically, it would have to be David Bowie with his British, extra-terrestrial far-out perspective which has been influential for me. Someone who’s not a musician…I watched this film recently about this amazing writer, James Baldwin. So Bowie for a musician and James Baldwin for someone non-musical.
How has the current pandemic affected artists like yourself?
The good thing about our end of the music industry is that we were never really making any money, so we’re not losing out because of that – it’s more the independent venues that are suffering. I’m just keeping an eye on my feed, trying to share whatever fundraisers I can for the places I love.
What’s your favourite grassroots music venue?
Brixton Windmill! Between that and the Bird’s Nest in Deptford. The Birds Nest has been my second home, both musically and the fact that it’s a very open space for accepting everyone, the eclectic personalities that move through that space are great. The Windmill for the scene. I can’t even count the number of times I’ve played there.
You’re out of lockdown and are returning from a late one on Last Bus home – what are you listening to?
Connan Mockasin’s Jassbusters – it has a story which takes you through it all.
