By: Staff
tia louise and Jeroen released “lavender fields,” and it's a soft and relaxing gem of a song with a terrific message. When listening, mentally we were instantly taken to a sunset on a hill lined with trees, with birds overhead. The vocal demonstration of tia louise is beautifully delivered. The supporting musical arrangement is akin to a beautiful lullaby and captivates and mesmerizes. Lyrically, the song is about taking the small things to heart and realizing they will actually have the most impact on our happiness. We loved this message! This song was born from a long-distance relationship between the songwriters who live in the Netherlands and London. The message is for us to learn that it's better to appreciate what we have than to lament over the things we don’t! What an amazing way to give the rest of us something to learn from and adore along with this beautiful song born from the creative minds of two people in love. Please playlist, stream and share “lavender fields” by tia louise and Jeroen today.
Wait, there's more! We caught up with these exciting and emerging artists in “The Cage” to talk about music and much more.
Here’s how it went:
When did you start making music? Can you tell the fans something they might not know about you that is important to understanding why you create music?
[Tia] Our music journeys started very differently actually. I first got into music when I was 21 years old, which is a bit later than usual. I just bought the cheapest guitar to try to add some spice to my everyday life. But I had actually been writing poetry a lot longer before then as a kind of self-therapy. So naturally this turned into writing songs on my guitar to process things that I was going through. I never thought that my songs would step outside of my bedroom but they did eventually and through them I was able to connect with others.
[Jeroen] I first got into music at 15 when I started making electronic music on my Mum’s computer. This made me realise that I was equipped to make music, having always assumed that I needed to play an instrument or have access to an expensive studio. I got hooked and started learning and exploring, spiralling from electronic music to hip-hop, pop to indie-folk and everything in between. I just think it’s the most beautiful thing that you can make something that didn’t exist before - making something from nothing is authentic and personal and a little part of who you are - a little stamp you press on the world.
If you are a duo or a band, how did you form? Please tell us the band members' names, roles, and relevant instruments.
[Tia] We’re not technically a duo but this is a collaboration! We first started making music in 2022 after meeting each other through SoundBetter when I hired Jeroen to produce one of my songs, so that was more in the capacity of songwriter/producer, not as much of a collaboration. We ended up connecting on a much deeper level and now we’ve been in a relationship for a while. We’re both musicians, so naturally we sometimes write together on the odd afternoon. I take on more of a lyrical, songwriting role whereas Jeroen focuses more on the production, recording and mixing - we’re like peas and carrots.
Can you walk us through your songwriting process and where the inspiration comes from for this latest project?
[Tia] I feel like it is a tricky process to explain, as it just sort of happened in a moment of flow. Neither of us was intending to make a song to release, we were just having fun - it was a happy accident.
[Jeroen] But practically I was messing around with chord progressions on guitar until Tia heard something she liked. Tia felt lyrically inspired by the small moments in a relationship. From there everything fell into place really quickly. We finished the whole song in a couple of hours - Tia was writing whilst I was working on the production simultaneously. It felt like being in a daydream.
Where do you create your music, i.e. in a home recording studio or with a producer? How do you finalize your finished work, ie self-mixed/mastered or another source?
[Jeroen] We recorded this song in my bedroom studio, which is where I record all my music. We were able to do the whole process in one afternoon because we didn’t need to get anyone else involved, just us two in our little bubble. After that it was a matter of recording the vocals properly and adding some small details to finish it up.
What has been the most motivating force in creating your music?
[Tia] I think we are both fairly aligned on this. I think connection and empathy towards others drives me most when writing. When I don’t feel seen, I listen to music to gain that sense of being valued and understood. Being able to offer that space for others with my own music is why I write.
What part of the music-making process is the most stressful, ie the creation, the actual release date, etc?
[Tia] I think for me the most stressful thing is deciding when a song is done and then just leaving it - hoping that I'm still happy with it when the time comes to release it. Resisting the urge to re-do the whole thing but instead trusting it to be a snapshot of a moment in time. To then take that snapshot, release it, and hope people see and hear it the same way I do.
[Jeroen] The whole release thing is the most stressful part because you’ve worked your ass off to make this song and then suddenly it exists in the world and what people think is out of your hands. You can’t control how people hear it. and then you have to again work your ass off to get it heard. You also can’t control if it resonates with anyone at all which is the only thing you’re really want. )
If there was one thing you could change about the music industry, what would it be?
[Tia] One thing?! That’s hard. I would change women’s ‘place’ in the industry, i.e. making every place accessible for us. Women are underrepresented in most areas of the industry, and yet when I am at the gigs, the networking events, on social media, it’s always the girlies who show up every time supporting the loudest and working the hardest. It’s sad to see such strong women not be where they deserve because the industry puts up so many barriers.
[Jeroen] I don’t know because I barely know how the industry works haha. Maybe that’s the problem, it’s all so convoluted and vague. We’re all trying to make it but we don’t know how. There’s not really a guide, which makes sense, and I wouldn’t want to change that because I wouldn’t know what that would look like. Making art is really expensive especially if you’re just starting out. You can’t afford to hire a studio, engineer, or producer. More public funding would go a long way to supporting smaller artists and having a knock on effect, which would make for a healthier industry with more stability.
Where do you see your sound and artistry heading in the future? Are there any exciting new directions you're exploring?
[Tia] At the moment I’m trying to get to a place where I feel comfortable releasing more introspective songs - songs that touch a little more on less-talked-about feelings surrounding mental health. But I really don’t plan for future projects. I feel like, even if I try to plan, I rarely find myself following that plan and instead just do what I’m feeling in the moment.
What advice would you give your younger self and why?
Hi Tia! It’s okay to have mosaics of feelings, and the chaos and weirdness inside your brain - whilst a bit debilitating sometimes - is not a weakness. You can use it to define yourself. And also I wanna reassure you to be unapologetically yourself, full of whimsy and to exude childhood-like joy whenever you can. Stick mushroom stickers on everything, pick flowers in the garden, talk to your cat, sing to the moon.
When you become famous, what famous band or artist would you love to tour with?
Big Thief. Adrianne Lenker is the greatest songwriter of our time. Period.
When you become famous, what underrated band or artist would you like to show the world they have been missing?
I am currently obsessed with Nude Beach by Abigail Kay - they deserve more love. Really excited to see new releases popping up and the new music direction.
What is the most motivating thing a fan or anyone has ever told you about your music?
Well, people have said lots of lovely things about my music which means a lot to me, but when you see someone cry, actually shed tears, you know you’ve done it. When you get a physical, emotional response, it’s like you’ve struck Gold. I guess the same goes for seeing people dance to your music, but for me it’s usually crying, oops.
Check out his latest release and listen to more of TIA LOUISE & JEROEN on Spotify & YouTube.
Discover the Rising Stars: McKay - An Emerging Alternative Folk/Rock Band
© 2024 powered by Cage Riot
music blog, music discovery, emerging artist, , The Cage, Cage Riot, new music, blog writers, college internships, music magazine, Spotify, music distribution, artist development, billboard, rolling stone magazine, alternative press a blog powered by cage riot,
Comments