Tayá
Photographs by Adam Fussell
Fashion Editor: Lauren T Franks
Liverpool born Tayá is very much our latest musical discovery. Talent spotted aged just 13 when she was singing in a local choir, Tayá is now 19 and has recently released her debut EP, a collection of stunning R&B tracks. Make catches up her on set at our fashion shoot, to find out more.
Q. Tell us a little bit about you and how you got into music?
A. I grew up in Liverpool. I think everyone sings when they’re growing up, well, everyone around me did! I started going to a little choir, singing group near my house, from there I began to be noticed. That’s where I was found by my manager and started writing my own stuff and it went from there.
Q. Do you draw on your own life experiences in your work and lyrics?
A. I think that almost everything I write about is drawn from my own life, experiences with those around me, and also what my friends are going through. I feel like the songs that translate the best, and really make an impact on people, are the ones that are the most honest. I speak a lot about relationships, whether those are with boyfriends or my friends. That’s what I listen out for in other people music and that’s what I find I connect with the most.
Q. What do your friends think about what you are up to? Is it sometimes hard not being an ‘average’ teenager?
A. My friends seem to love it, they’re always asking what I’m up to and what I’m writing about and they love it when songs are about them! I’d still say I’m an average teenager, I still love doing the same things, I just have a different ‘job’ to the rest of my mates.
Q. Who are your musical idols?
A. When I was younger, and still now, I loved Ashanti, Jojo, Ciara: people like that. Lately, I’ve been loving Selena Gomez, I love how cool her songs are, and how effortless her voice, attitude and style seems.
Q. Three of the best songs ever written are?
A. Wow, hard question! To me I think the best songs ever written are: Listen performed by Beyonce, I Can’t Make You Love Me by Bonnie Raitt, Kissing You – Des’ree
They’ve all made me cry at one point or another, But if I had to choose a song I wish I had written I’d have to pick I Can’t Make You Love Me by Bonnie Raitt! The lyrics speak straight to the heart; it’s one of my favourite songs ever, it always gets to me.
Q. Can you describe your personal style right now?
A. I feel like it’s hard to explain my style. It’s so fluid a lot of the time, I jump between styles and it totally depends on my mood that day. One thing I’m really fussy on though is fabrics, my clothes have to be sturdy, I’m definitely not a fan of flimsy clothes, which is probably why I a really into PVC right now!
Q. The theme of this issue discovery. What have you discovered recently that you would like to share with us?
A. I’ve discovered that I can never cut a bob into my hair again! I cut my hair last week and can’t get used to it. I’ve already asked my hair stylist if I can get my long hair back, sorry Rio!
Q. What are your hopes for the future?
A. I just hope that I can continue to make music I love and that everyone else loves it too.
Q. Where can we see or hear you next?
A. I have a new single called Skin coming out soon, which I can’t wait for you all to hear.
Tayá’s new single is out in January 2018 with Atlantic Records.
