Artist Spotlight: Meet TatiKa
Credit: TatiKa
Can you tell us about the inspiration behind "Bow" and the story it tells?
My debut single “Bow” dives deep into the emotional turmoil of relationships, particularly exploring the experience of being entangled with someone who is emotionally unavailable. It’s about the push and pull between partners—one who struggles to open up and the other who is willing to pour their heart out. I wanted to capture the raw intensity of love that can be as painful as it is profound.
For me, "Bow" is a very personal story. It represents that pivotal moment when you realize that no matter how strong the connection or how real the love feels, it may not be enough if both people aren't on the same emotional page. The song reflects the journey of choosing yourself in a situation where you're being stretched thin, waiting for something to change. It’s a tribute to self-awareness, inner strength, and recognizing when to stand tall and reclaim your power—even in the face of uncertainty.
The title 'Bow' itself is a metaphor; it speaks to the concept of not being "another string to someone's bow"—not just another option or an afterthought in someone else's life. I think many people can relate to that inner conflict of wanting to stay, but knowing you need to walk away for your own well-being.
Were there any memorable or standout moments during the recording sessions for "Bow?"
I started recording "Bow" in March, and it noticed this funny pattern where I could only seem to work on it when the weather was absolutely miserable. Luckily, in London, that’s not a rare occurrence! In some strange way, the gloomy weather actually helped me tap into the emotions of the song. The rain and overcast skies kind of mirrored the internal storm I was trying to convey in the music. It became this unintentional ritual—waiting for the clouds to roll in before diving back into recording.
There was one session that really stood out, where everything clicked. It was pouring outside, a dark, dank evening and I was in the studio trying to capture that raw vulnerability. The weather set the perfect mood, and I felt like I was channeling every drop of rain into the music. That day, it felt like the song finally came together in a way that was true to the emotions I had been carrying throughout the process. Most of that recording went to the final version.
How do you feel this song represents your artistic identity?
I believe "Bow" is the truest and deepest expression of myself so far. For a debut, it was an unexpectedly bold move, even for me. It felt like stepping into the spotlight with something incredibly personal and raw, and that was both terrifying and empowering. The song represents my willingness to be vulnerable, to explore difficult emotions, and to turn them into art.
In many ways, "Bow" sets the foundation for the kind of artist I want to be—someone who isn’t afraid to confront truth head-on. It’s not just about making music; it’s about creating something real and meaningful. With "Bow," I’m putting forward an authentic version of myself, not just as an artist, but as a human being who has lived through a lot so far. This song is my way of saying, "This is who I am, this is what I’ve felt, and I’m not afraid to share it with the world."
What role do you feel emotions play in your music, and how do you channel them into your performances?
I believe that emotions are the foundation of art—they're the heart and soul of everything I create. Music, for me, is a way to communicate what words alone can’t express. Emotions are the driving force behind my songwriting and performances, but they’re also unpredictable. They come and go, they shift in intensity, which makes capturing them in a genuine way both the most exciting and challenging part of being an artist.
As a performer, the real challenge is being able to tap into those feelings authentically every time I step on stage or into the studio. It’s not just about reliving the emotion but about translating it in a way that feels real to me and resonates with the audience in that specific moment. That’s where focus and a bit of acting come into play—it’s about being present, seizing the moment, and channeling the emotional energy, even when you might be feeling it differently from when you first wrote the song.
It’s a delicate balance. I have to find that emotional space within myself each time, almost like revisiting a memory but feeling it as if it’s happening right now. It’s a skill I’m constantly honing, learning how to make my emotions work with me instead of letting them control me. That’s when the magic happens—when everything aligns and the emotion flows naturally through the performance.
How do you continuously grow and evolve as an artist?
For me, growth as an artist comes from constantly experimenting, taking risks, and challenging myself. I believe that the more I push myself out of my comfort zone, the more I discover new layers of creativity and expression. But one of the biggest hurdles in this process is overcoming my own ego. The ego can create this false sense of needing to meet other people’s expectations, or worse, an illusion of how I think others perceive me. It can trick you into thinking you have to stick to what’s familiar or what has worked before, because anything different might "ruin" you.
But I’ve come to realize that trying to create a universal image of myself or my art is impossible. Every person who interacts with my work has their own unique interpretation of it. So trying to please everyone or fit into one version of myself only limits my growth. The ego is a trap—it keeps you stuck, afraid of taking risks or doing something different. It’s important to recognize that whatever you create, not everyone is going to love it, and that’s okay.
What matters is staying true to yourself. As long as I’m being honest in my art, I trust that it will resonate with the right people. In the end, the mission of an artist is to express themselves fully and authentically. If I’ve done that, then I’ve succeeded. Growth, for me, is about letting go the need for external validation and focusing on how I can keep evolving creatively with every new project.
