In an exclusive interview, West London based Tayah shares inspirations behind her latest music video, ‘The Sun Sets in the West’.
Tayah is one of the new kids on the new wave Soul block we’re really excited about. Tayah makes a unique blend of alternative R&B that draws from 70s and 80s Soul, along with reggae and rare groove. We have loved watching her musical progression. Tayah channels her unique musical blend into a calming groove reminiscent of Jhene Aiko. We are thrilled to be premiering her new music video for ‘The Sun Sets in the West’ a favourite from her latest EP ‘Still Wonders’, one of our fave EPs of the year. After hearing the track, we were intrigued to see where the song would be taken visually.
‘Still Wonders’ is an addition that has definitely upheld the momentum from her previous project, ‘Wonderer of the West’. The evolution of Tayah’s sound is encapsulated in her latest project. The Sun Sets in the West’ is not just sonically nostalgic with its 80s Soul influence. But it is also lyrically nostalgic, with Tayah recalling childhood and returning home. Continuing the idea of wonder, her lyricism creates a sense of tranquility and relatability. This is also depicted in ‘The Sun Sets in the West’ as Tayah takes the viewer on a summer day out to the countryside.
It does also remind me of that feeling when September comes, all the madness has started to die down and it’s just inward time.
– Tayah
‘The Sun Sets in the West’ music video is set in the very picturesque Lake District. The scenery provides the viewer with a sense of simplicity and stillness, much like her project. The song is a delicious slice of the hope, rebirth and yet calm of spring. We love that Tayah’s work is a present depiction of where she is in her life now. For her, ‘Still Wonders’ was born out of “a new-found sense of stillness and self-assuredness”.
The inspiration behind Tayah’s ‘Still Wonders’…
This is like my Jill Scott “Slowly, Surely” journey to be honest. That point you get to where it feels like there’s nothing left but to release control and be present to hear for clarity. With my first EP being called ‘Wonderer of the West, the ‘still’ both relates to still moving forward, and also ‘still’ as the act of stillness.
If you’re someone who’s had to grow and move fast, you don’t realise that stillness isn’t stagnancy. It’s more time better than moving just to move. It’s intentional.
On the 80s Soul and other influences in The Sun Sets in the West…
Ooo I’d love to sing with Gwen McRae…deffo be around Loose Ends and feel how they created their sound…yeah there’s such a handful to choose from, any which way you put it would blow my mind... I’ll take this time to say I love Amy Winehouse very much.
If this project was a season, what season would it be?
Definitely spring. Now that I think about it though, it does also remind me of that feeling when September comes, all the madness has started to die down and it’s just inward time.
‘Lake District, April 2023’ appears at the beginning of the music video. The significance of the month to Tayah…
I’m a big nature person, spring is definitely my favourite season. I just think it feels fresh and new. And I finally get some natural vitamin D lol. During April just gone, me and my mates went for a weekend away to the Lake District. It was actually interesting how the trip reminded me of different ways of living. We shot the visual to TSSITW while we were there. Thinking about home, away from home.
On the creative direction…
Me and Sky (director) have been working together on visuals since the beginning, so it was nice to finally do another one after a little while. We wanted the the visuals to be ambiguous in terms of location, so that everyone could associate it to what home means to them.
Three Words to Tayah’s sound…
I always listen for the words people use when telling me their interpretations cause I can’t describe it myself. I’ve heard calming, relatable and groovy.
If you’re discovering me for the first time, a big hey from me and I hope the music or the message makes you stick around a little longer <3
