INTERVIEW: Tia Gostelow, on finding her feet in the industry, self-confidence and her Chrysalis tour.
After blasting into the music scene in 2018 with her debut album ‘Thick Skin’, Brisbane’s pop-queen Tia Gostelow has blossomed from a cocoon of her own with her latest record ‘Chrysalis’.
Chrysalis sees Tia shed new skin as she naturally evolves into a newer, brighter, poppier, and more mature sound. The album takes on a more synth-heavy approach as Tia hones down and re-discovers herself as an artist, exploring herself both vocally and musically.
The record is a shift from the more delicate undertones of ‘Thick Skin’, into an 80’s inspired, disco-licked, glam-electro pop, cohesive soundtrack.
We were so lucky to sit down with Tia and chat about the album, writing with Oscar Dawson, finding her own feet, self-confidence.
Check it out…
Hey Tia, how are you lovely!?
I’m great thank you!
First things first, for anyone that isn’t familiar with your music, describe it to us in 3 words…
Indie, Synth Pop,
Now, last year you released your marvellous sophomore album titled ‘Chrysalis’ which saw you take a more synth–heavy approach. It feels like you’ve really honed down and re-discovered yourself as an artist throughout this record, talk to us a bit about that progression!
I think it was just a natural evolution as a human and as an artist. My taste in music slightly changed and I really wanted to make something super dancy and full of 80’s synths and drums. I was also thinking of the live performance aspect of the album and had a clear vision of seeing the crowd dancing and having big sing along moments. I’ve obviously grown up since I released my first album Thick Skin and I feel like I’ve started to find my feet in regards to genre but there is always room for movement and who knows, I could be making extremely different music on the next record!
You also worked alongside legend Oscar Dawson, how was the writing and recording process?
Incredible! I love Oz, he’s such a legend and so talented it’s not funny. We got along so well from the start and it was just a really enjoyable process working with him. He definitely made me feel super comfortable in the studio and was so patient with me wanting to play lots of instruments on the album haha.
How has working with Oscar helped you to grow and explore more vocally and musically?
Oz was really great for this. I remember being in the vocal booth one night while we were recording Psycho and there’s this big vocal part at the end but I was super scared to try it. I usually shy away from belting out notes but it was something I kind of wanted to try on this album but I didn’t really have the confidence but Oscar gave me a little nudge and I just went for it and it literally felt so liberating when I hit the notes! It was little things like that but for me it made a huge difference in my singing ability but mainly my confidence.
The record has a very 80’s disco-esque sound coupled with some reflective, melancholic lyrics, what songs and albums inspired you to explore this new sound?
I was SO obsessed with Broods’ album Don’t Feed The Pop Monster and I think that’s really what inspired me to go down the pop-dance-80s-synth path. Not only their songs pulled me in but it was also the visual aspect of the whole album campaign and it inspired me to pull together a really great creative team to make sure the songs and visuals have the same vibe and was all really cohesive. I really wanted it to be a whole experience.
Now, due to COVID you haven’t had the chance to tour the Chrysalis album around Australia, or the world, yet. How excited are you for your national July tour! What are you most excited about?
I am SO excited! This record has been out for almost year now so it’s super cool that we finally get to do a big tour of it. I think I’m most excited about seeing my support acts play, I feel very lucky to have Ula, Shannen James and Sahara Beck coming on the road with us! We also might have some sneaky surprises and guests but you’ll have to come to the show to find out…
Was there a certain moment that you told yourself, “yeah I’m going to follow the music path?”
Probably when all of the triple j Unearthed High stuff happened in 2016! It was a very surreal moment and year to be honest.
What else can fans expect from Queen Tia for the rest of the year?
Hahah well I’ve been working on a lot of new music and projects so hopefully I have something out by the end of the year! And also going on tour eeep!
-
Finally, to wrap it up let’s do a few rapid-fire Q’s:
· Best song to sing in the shower to?
I love singing High Horse by Kacey Musgraves haha!
· Favourite Brisbane venue?
The Triffid, always!
· Best beverage?
I love an ice-cold ginger beer on a warm day! Otherwise coffee obviously!
Chrysalis National Tour:
July 29th - Sol Bar, Sunny CoastJuly 30th - Miami Marketta, GC
July 31st - Triffid, BrisbaneOctober
October 29th - Corner Hotel, Melbourne