Painting a peaceful picture of the world standing still for a moment – this is what NZ artist, Tarn PK, wanted to do. To take a step back from a chaotic world to create music that feels personal, meaningful, and real.
Releasing his first EP in 2019, funk-pop single “Talk to You" gained Spotify playlist success on New Music US, UK and NZ/AU, getting over 175,000 plays to date. 2019 provided plenty of inspiration for new music, but for some reason the creativity wasn’t flowing. Feeling swamped in synthesisers and modern pop, the key was discovering the likes of 70’s songwriters; Joni Mitchell, Nick Drake, and John Martyn.
The aim became to make something which called back to these ideas but made in a way that felt modern, mixing natural elements such as acoustic guitars, with modern production effects and techniques. Lyrically the ideas were focused on the experience of moving away from home and starting university.
Tarn released the first single from the EP – “Monarch” - in October, 2020. “Serenity” is a ballad about the weight of the world coming off your shoulders. It made Spotify NZ’s Local List, NZ student radio stations , a range of other Playlists and has over 75,000 streams on various YouTube channels to date.
“Sky Is Falling”, the second release in December 2020, took form as something melancholy and wistful, building on top of the picked guitar. It was premiered by Acid Stag - the Sydney music blog, made Spotify AU’s Chill Afternoons (personalised) playlist and had a number of good write ups.
“Indigo Dreaming” is the third release from the 'Monarch' EP/collection. It’s a mixture of indie folk elements with additional pop production provided by Neil MacLeod, an NZ artist/producer. Also recorded in lockdown, the song was based around an electric guitar riff. Tarn plays guitars, bass and drums, but also wove more electronic elements into this song than the previous releases. Lyrically the song is about living in a time of anxiety and stress, trying to be okay with that and how being with someone you love can help alleviate those feelings.
The track has been selected for NZ on Air’s February New Tracks promotion and will be featured on Acid Stag again as well as some other blogs and playlists.