Review Fix chats with singer/songwriter Tatyana Kalko, who discusses her new single, “Ok, I Give Up,†as well as her origins in music and creative process.
About Tatyana Kalko:
Belarusian born and NY based singer-songwriter Tatyana Kalko studied method acting at NYU and abroad at The Moscow Art Theatre, before deciding to pursue her first love: music.
From an early age, Tatyana studied voice and alto saxophone in school and learned to play guitar by working her way through Beatles classics.
These experiences, along with a spiritual journey that is a natural antidote for anxiety, generational trauma, and pursuing a career in the arts, have imprinted on her deeply intuitive and detailed songwriting process. They have also shaped the songs’ introspective yet lighthearted, conversational tone. Old world inspired melodies and sincere yet irreverent lyrics are transmissions from everyday life into a theatrical world where memory and foresight blend together.
Review Fix: How did you get involved in music?
Tatyana Kalko: Genetics? I’m very lucky to have parents that love the arts and understand the creative impulse and nourished my musical outbursts from an early age. I was always involved in choir, school band (alto sax) and musicals so pursuing a poli-sci degree seemed futile. I studied acting in college but decided for now that songwriting is the most natural path.
Review Fix: What performers inspire you the most?
Tatyana Kalko: The ones with warmth, guts, appreciation for the inexplicable, who temper darkness with humor. Radiohead, Jarvis Cocker, Freddie Mercury, Sharon Van Etten, Lady Gaga, David Bowie. Also intelligent witty comedians and writers on the NY scene – too many to name. And let’s throw in Daniel Day Lewis.
Review Fix: What’s on your musical bucket list?
Tatyana Kalko: Top of my vision board is to meet Paul Mccartney! Also, act and sing in an indie film and get better at piano.
Review Fix: Goals for 2019?
Tatyana Kalko: I’m horrible with goal setting! Start recording my next album, see more of the world, do things that make me uncomfortable, access my kundalini!!
Review Fix: What inspired Okay, I Give Up?
Tatyana Kalko: That moment at the end of a relationship when you know it’s over so you’re desperate to make it work, which makes it worse. My mom gave me some great advice to just be still and let love come to me.
Review Fix: How would you describe your sound to someone who has never heard you?
Tatyana Kalko: Like a sultry lullaby from the 60s or just honest irreverent indie folk.
Review Fix: Bottom line, what makes you special?
Tatyana Kalko: I’m grateful to learn from collaborators and friends like Adam Feder of The Shul Band and spiritual leaders that show me what life is beyond my art and career. Some people can’t live without music and while it is thrilling and miraculous to write a song, perform it and have strangers connect to it, lately I’ve been exploring my Jewish faith and finding deep meaning and joy in spiritual communities. Mostly all I want to do after a long day is meditate and study ancient scripture. My goal (aha!) is to integrate and share more of my inner journey through music and still make it accessible.
Review Fix: What next?
Tatyana Kalko: The future is contained in this moment. Just kidding! I’m really looking forward to playing my EP release show with some amazing musicians at Rockwood Music Hall Stage 1 on April 1st at 8pm! No joke!
Review Fix: Anything else you’d like to add?
Tatyana Kalko: A song I co-wrote with LA based group Interstate Royale was recently featured on season 3 episode 14 of Riverdale so check that out! And my EP Yellow and Blue is out now!
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