HILLCREST’S Tanner Wareham has an unbridled passion for music that saw him trade his profession as a chemical engineer for a full-time music career.
The Highway Mail spoke to the talented 25-year-old about his music journey, his upcoming debut EP and how the Covid-19 pandemic has affected the music industry.
How it all started
At what age did you start performing music?
Seven years old.
What was the first instrument you learnt how to play?
Piano.
Are there any another musicians in your family?
No, although they never seem short of input.
Who or what inspired you to start your music journey?
When I had compulsory recorder lessons in junior school, I was fixated on the piano the teacher was playing and I just had this unrelenting desire to learn it.
What is your genre of music?
I see it as acoustic folk supported with pop production. There is a big reggae and funk element in my rhythm and style as well.
How many instruments can you currently play?
Piano, keyboard, synth, guitar, bass guitar and ukulele. I play drums and anything else imaginable off of a keyboard, but let’s not count that.
Do you write all of your own music?
Yes, although for my first album I have brought in some collaborators to add input and help create here and there.
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The story so far
What are some of the biggest shows you have performed at?
When I opened for The Parlotones and Jeremy Loops at Makaranga, there were crowds of about 3 000 people. As a feature act, The Ballito G&T Festival was probably the biggest with around 1 500 people, also my favourite show to date.
Have you officially released any of your music?
I had songs up there and chose to remove them as now I have access to the resources and people required to release music at the highest quality. My official debut releases are on their way and the title has not been decided on yet.
Are you a full-time or part-time musician? Has this always been a career choice?
I qualified as a chemical engineer at Stellenbosch after which I worked for Toyota in Durban. Music was always the dream.When my gigs started to clash with my engineering hours, I chose to leave my engineering job at the end of 2018 and pursue my music full time.
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Where do you see yourself in the next five years?
I see myself releasing my debut single and EP, see some of the songs do well on the SA charts and gain international exposure through streaming platforms. From this I’d like to play at all the major local festivals as well as some overseas festivals and eventually headline. I’d love to have another album or two out within the next five years and also write and produce for and alongside other artists.
If you could collaborate with any artist, who would it be?
Internationally, probably Jon Bellion. His writing and production process is a big inspiration to me. Locally, I’m actually working with Monark on this EP, one of my favourite local artists. TRESOR has a sound I think I could really fit well into.
Can you share your music creation process with us? Where do you draw inspiration from for your songs?
Usually I’ll come up with a guitar riff, chord progression and a rhythm. I’ll loop that and then improvise vocals until a basic song idea comes up. A lot of the time I’ll test this out at shows. When I come up with a flow that works, it’s then into studio where I can record and produce. The main ideas don’t come from inspiration but from moments of creativity and improv.
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Being a performer in uncertain times
The lockdown has affected many musicians and performers, how has this affected you and any upcoming shows?
Yeah, it’s had a huge impact! All shows that were meant to happen during the lockdown have been cancelled or postponed, as well as shows in the near future due to the restrictions and uncertainty. It’s very tough for us full-time musicians as we’re basically out of income for the next month, maybe longer. It is a reminder of the volatility of our industry and that we have to be prepared and work hard when we can.
How are you spending your lockdown?
I am spending it with my mom and brother up in Mtubatuba. It’s a good time to take stock and work on some of the things I haven’t had the time to previously.
Can we expect more entertaining lockdown music videos like the ones we’ve seen on Facebook?
Definitely! I have a lot of ideas I want to get down and play around with, so stay tuned. I will do my best to hurry a long that album as well.
What is your message to artists who are currently feeling discouraged during the Covid-19 lockdown?
The only thing we can do is make the most of the situation. It is out of our control, so it’s best not to waste the time. We can use it explore other avenues of potential income, practise and work on our sets and music as well as connect with family, friends and fulfill those other important parts of our lives we sometimes forget about when we’re constantly on the go. For those who desperately need the income, put up a live stream, make a video and reach out to the community for support. I’ve found people to be very generous and understanding during these times.
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