Interview with Toronto-based indie-pop duo TANDM
Interview with Toronto-based indie-pop duo TANDM
Today on What On What's Good with Jovin Tardif, I am here with TANDM. TANDM is a Toronto-based indie-pop duo. The group is set to release their third EP which includes the single “Accidentally In Love”. In our #cinqque5tion interview, we learn about the members of the group, how they created their new single “Accidentally In Love”, their musical influences, and much more
1. Can you tell us a little about the members of TANDM?
TANDM is made up of Thomas (T) and Maxine (M). T+M=TANDM.
Thomas is a phenomenal drummer, having studied both classical and jazz drums with various talented performers such as Bill Ransom and Anthony Michelli. Unknown to many, Thomas also plays guitar and bass, with the guitar being his first instrument. Thomas writes and records all of the drums, guitar solos, and many of the bass parts in our music.
I, Maxine, am also a multi-instrumentalist, having studied piano, vocals, guitar, and more since a young age. In TANDM I often write and record the parts of rhythm guitar, keyboard/piano, and vocals. I also write most of the lyrics for our band!
Thomas and I met in high school. Thomas moved to Toronto and joined a local music school (Bloor West Music Studios), at the same time that my band was looking for a drummer. We also coincidentally ended up in the same English class at the same high school!
We started writing our own tracks together the summer before our first year at York University. And we have been writing, recording, and performing together ever since!
2. What was it like creating the new single “Accidentally In Love”
When Thomas and I were suggested by Graham Stairs at Popguru Sound & Vision to cover a song for his Coverama album, we spent hours digging through songs that we had considered covering in the past. The one that stuck out to us the most was a track from Shrek 2, which we had both listened to frequently as children.
The song is full of sunshine and happiness, and currently (with COVID-19’s never-ending misery) we decided that Accidentally In Love would make for a very optimistic and hopeful cover that could brighten up our lives as well as others.
This was our first ever recorded Cover, so that was something very new to us. It was fun to take a song that already exists and shape it into something new. It was also the first time that I (Maxine) smiled while recording the vocal parts, as it made the singing sound happier- interesting!
3. Maxine - Your family composed music in the past for movies. Projects include Buffy The Vampire Slayer, Frozen, Frozen II, and Ant-Man. Just for fun...If you can only pick one, tell us your favourite movie...is it Buffy The Vampire Slayer, Frozen, Frozen II, and Ant-Man, and why?
My uncle is a phenomenal composer! My favorite movie, however, is Interstellar :) because Christopher Nolan is a genius.
4. Thomas - What was it like studying with international jazz drummers Bill Ransom and Anthony Michelli?
Bill Ransom is an amazing teacher and helped me get into playing percussion during high school. Bill taught me instruments like timpani, marimba, and snare drum, developing my love for percussion instruments. Anthony Michelli is an expert jazz drummer, I learned how to play faster and more coherently on the drum set thanks to Anthony.
5. Who are some of your musical influences and why?
Thomas: Foals, Michael Kiwanuka, Black Pumas, Kendrick Lamar, Foster the People.
For Foals I love the rhythms and subdivisions that they use in their songs, Jack Bevan’s drumming always inspired me. Black Pumas have an amazing soulful feel and constantly cheer me up when I'm feeling down. Kendrick Lamar has such an ability to tell stories in his albums and is an inspiration, not only in terms of rap music but for general life advice. Foster the People have truly perfected the indie-pop style, and are always on repeat on my playlists.
Maxine: Billie Eilish, Phoebe Bridgers, The National, The Lumineers, RY X.
For me, it’s all about the voices and lyrics. I love the instrumentations as well, but prominent voices and lyrics really get me!
6. What else can we expect from your third EP?
Lots of new sounds to come! We have been working with many different recording engineers and producers recently, and I think that it will show in our new and unique tracks.
Jovin
What On What's Good
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