Seattle, Washington-based Thavoron (Tav-er-on) shares his new single “18,” set for digital release on April 27th through Trailing Twelve Records. After receiving critical acclaim for his debut album Ugly, Thavoron returns with “18” – a somber vocal-driven slice filled with dreamlike guitar, swirling flute, and yearning saxophone to lay the foundation for vulnerable passages on youth, lust, and the emotional scars of traumatic relationships.
Growing up as a first-generation Cambodian-American and writing songs about queer relationships, 21-year-old Thavoron approaches the alternative and indie rock genres with a perspective that is uniquely his own. After releasing a debut album thematically centered around self-discovery and finding beauty in the ugliness, Thavoron went into a reflective state and unearthed some of the more traumatic moments of a previous relationship for “18.”
What inspired this release?
What inspired the release of 18 was a past situation I went through at the age of 18. I constantly tried different ways to offer my love and care for an ex-partner but that was never accepted- it seemed like the only thing that would truly intrigue them or entertain them enough to stay was my physical body. I feel like this was a constant theme I found myself revolving around growing up. Especially within queer relationships/situationships, a lot of people grow up looking for physical intimacy in order to feel validated within their identity. I wanted to touch and highlight the sadness and beauty of intimacy and movement with this song— there’s something so inspiring by altering your concept of self, reclaiming your power in the same body you once felt so used in, and unlearning the idea that the problem lied within you.
What is something you can’t live without?
Something that I can’t live without is probably my friends and family. They keep me sane and grounded.
Any interesting or funny anecdotes from the time you were recording or writing this?
Well, I got COVID in December 2021 and I actually coincidentally wrote this song on my ex-partner’s birthday. On top of that, at the age of 18 my go-to crying song was Writer In The Dark by Lorde. The composer who did the strings on that song and various other records that I love (i.e. Norman Fucking Rockwell by Lana Del Rey and Women in Music Pt. III by HAIM), Phillip Peterson, actually helped produced this song with me and added cello, percussion and bass alongside my dear friend Spencer Edgers who added saxophone and flute. We recorded it at House of Breaking Glass studio in Seattle, WA and it was honestly such a validating full-circle moment that I will remember for the rest of my life.
What’s your favorite thing to do besides music?
I love watching video game walkthroughs on YouTube. I love video games that are less focused on the physicality of a video game and more focused on the storyline. Some of my favorite games are Final Fantasy X, The Walking Dead, The Last of Us, Detroit: Become Human, and Heavy Rain.
What’s a record or artist that shaped your creativity?
Some records that I remember listening to that definitely gave me the realization that there’s so much more that goes into songs than just instrumentation has to be LP1 by FKA twigs, Goddess by BANKS, or Cupid Deluxe by Blood Orange. I understood the importance of combining emotion and passion with words and sonics to convey a certain emotion in a different way instead of solely your thoughts. I probably wouldn’t be the artist I am today had I not discovered these records during my formative years.
Who is an artist or band you look up to today?
A band that I look up to today would be HAIM— solely because they were my first concert ever at 13 and I’ve watched them expand their fanbase as a band while they were literally in the process of blowing up. It was crazy to know that they had been a band for 7 years prior to me finding out about them and their constant evolution has been so inspiring and I’ve felt like I’ve been able to grow alongside them as an artist and person.
What excites you most about what you do?
What excites me the most about what I do is definitely the idea that I can literally create whatever I want to. It’s so liberating to have that ability. Also, the idea of inspiring and touching other people with my music— the same way that other artists have done for me.
