Following the launch of their debut album ‘i like what i do // i do what i like’ in June 2021, Täpp Collective are thrilled to have been invited to The Royal Albert Hall’s Elgar Room for their debut performance.
Täpp Collective initially launched in 2017 as a string loop pedal duo and has now evolved into a collective of artists from across the UK, keen to push the boundaries of music. Led by vibrant and versatile violinist Rebekah Reid, Täpp combines traditional and contemporary string instruments and techniques with electronics and modern instruments to create distinctive music that explores a multitude of genres; from classical music, jazz and traditional folk to electronic dance music, beats and bassline, alt.rock and world music.
The evening will begin with visionary soundscapes from one of South London’s newest rising stars, ELIXIR. The performance will include selected music from her debut EP and exclusive material performed by the epic ELIXIR band of illustrious musicians accompanied by a myriad of visual art and contemporary dance. The evening will be brought to a close in style with an electrifying DJ set by Manchester-based experimental House DJ, Contours.
Täpp Collective have appeared on NTS, Worldwide FM, BBC Introducing, BBC 1Xtra, BBC 6 Music and BBC Radio 3. They aim to stimulate your curiosity, breakthrough stereotypes, and awaken a new music movement.
What’s your story as an artist?
Täpp initially launched in 2017 as a string loop pedal duo based in Manchester and has now evolved into a collective of artists from across the UK, keen to push the boundaries of music. We combine traditional and contemporary string instruments and techniques with electronics and modern instruments to create distinctive music that explores a multitude of genres.
What inspired this single ‘Aquaria’?
Aquaria is named after the legendary winner from RuPaul’s Drag Race Season 10, and the track was created to empower women, transgender/gender non-conforming people and the LGBTQ+ community, by encouraging them to step into their light and shine like the gifts they are to the world.
What are some sources of inspiration for your storytelling?
Musically, I’m inspired by a broad range of composers from a wide range of genres – everything from Bach, Vivaldi and Steve Reich through to Miles Davis, John Coltrane, Jimi Hendrix, Erykah Badu, Jill Scott and Thundercat. The list could go on forever.
Storytelling for me is about taking the listener on a journey and transporting them to another world. My aim is to craft unique sound worlds to create a tonal narrative that captures a listener’s imagination. It’s all about grabbing your attention, immersing your senses and leaving your worries behind!
Tell us about your show in London!
We’re very excited that our first ever live gig will be at the Royal Albert Hall! This really has been a labour of love and we’ve worked so hard as a collective following our album launch in June to create a show that demonstrates who we are as artists. We can’t wait to share it with everyone! I’m also very grateful to be joined by Jessii of ELIXIR who will be supporting us. They are so talented and great personal friends of ours. We’re going from 8pm to 1am and we’ll be rounding off the evening with a DJ set from NTS resident and Rhythm Section signee, Contours. It’s definitely a night you don’t want to miss! Full details are below, tickets can be purchased directly from the RAH website:
ROYAL ALBERT HALL PRESENTS
TÄPP COLLECTIVE
Saturday 27 November 2021
Doors: 8pm
Starts: 8:30pm
Täpp: 9.30pm
Any funny anecdotes from the time you were recording or writing the album?
Well, the how the album came together was not your usual journey. I initially recorded about half the content you hear in the album in 2019 – and the intention was to release a music video EP. It was the lockdowns over 2020 that meant I was unable to release the EP and had an opportunity to develop the project into an album. This means a lot of the album was written and recorded in isolation! During breaks in the lockdown, Fi (Täpp’s sound engineer and co-producer) and I were able to go to Strongroom studio where she works, to record, mix and produce. We had a lot of fun during that time – although it felt so odd coming into Shoreditch to work whilst the rest of the city was desolate and quiet due to the tight restrictions that were still in place!
Tell us about the music video and the idea behind it ?
‘NKW is a jazz/drill inspired conceptual piece that unapologetically addresses current and ongoing global events such as racism, the Black Lives Matter movement and political inequality. The track and music video are completely original and unique, and feature a predominantly Black female and non binary cast of musicians and dancers. Never Knew Why (NKW) music video was filmed and directed by Sylvia Suli (Skin Deep Magazine and Vogue). Parts of the aesthetic were inspired by the cult film Midsommar – and Sylvia was keen to explore the theme of black and white which then evolves into an explosion of colour at the end.
What’s a record that shaped your creativity?
As a creative journey, ‘Aquaria’, closely followed by ‘Never Knew Why’ (NKW) – have been really important and exciting journeys for me because these songs were my first opportunities to really explore production, something that I hadn’t really done prior to 2020. Both tracks are symphonic in texture and timbre and I was able to really explore/develop recording strings and writing with a synth to create these epic sound worlds.
Aquaria is ethereal and also really groovy – it makes you want to dance! And NKW was my first attempt at producing grime/drill music – it was a great experience for me to delve into this completely new world as a composer.
Who is an artist or band you look up to today?
I’m constantly being inspired by artists and bands – there’s so much amazing music and creative’s out there! I have mad respect for the female jazz artists on the London scene who are tearing things up right now! Nubya Garcia, Emma Jean Thackray and Sheila Maurice-Grey (bandleader of KOKOROKO) are artists that are incredible soloists, composer, arrangers and band leaders and are setting a fierce example for women in Jazz and in the wider music scenes.
Any future projects?
We’re currently working on a new remix of another track from the album which we’ll release in January next year, watch this space for more info very soon!
Top 3 dream collaborations?
Dead or alive?!
Another difficult question as there are so many but at the moment…
- Phillip Glass
- Max Richter
- Fourtet
What does music mean to you?
Music is my life – it’s my energy. It lifts me up, it challenges me and it also helps me find my centre. Music is a gift and I’m lucky to be able to share the joy and good energy it brings me, with others.
How would you describe your sound to someone who has never heard you?
Tapp’s music is a kaleidoscopic sound world that fuses an eclectic range of musical styles, from classical music, jazz and traditional folk to electronic dance music, beats and bassline and much more! Fundamentally experimental in our approach, Täpp aims to stimulate your curiosity, and breakthrough stereotypes to awaken a new music movement.
