Tanager Releases “Haunted”
Is there a particular ethos behind the single or any particular music styles or events that inspired it?
Tanager blends shoegaze, dreampop, and garage rock influences with ambitious pop production. The ethos behind “Haunted” is deeply rooted in themes of introspection and personal transformation, exploring feelings of guilt, isolation, and nostalgia.
Can you briefly describe what the song is about?
“Haunted” is about feeling overwhelmed by past mistakes and being unable to escape them. The narrator tries to distance themselves from their past, avoiding contact with others, but they find that their guilt still lingers, manifesting in familiar voices and memories. Despite efforts to escape, they feel trapped, and ultimately they come to understand that they can’t outrun their past. “Haunted” longs for a fresh start, but real change may be elusive. I hope to create music that resonates with listeners on an emotional level, inviting them to explore their own inner monologues.
Were there any notable or amusing happenings surrounding the recording/production of the single?
“Haunted” took 10 years to write. Elly loves making demos, and this song only existed in scattered 20-second segments until all the parts finally started coming together around 2022.
How and where did you get together?
Elly Daftuar (née Schmitt) dreamed up the project while attending art school, releasing ‘The Attic Dweller EP’ in 2011. She recorded the debut in her childhood home in Michigan, enlisting the help of longtime friend and recording engineer Rishi Daftuar for mixing.
Following the release, a live solo performance by Elly caught the attention of Mary Fraser (Child Sleep, Virga), who offered her support on drums. It's also around this time that Elly and Rishi started dating, and soon Rishi joined Tanager on guitar, forming the trio that would serve as the band's live core for the next eight years.
The band recorded and released their first full-length album, ‘Hz Donut,’ in 2018. After that, Elly mostly took a hiatus from live Tanager performances to immerse herself in songwriting. The band resurfaced in 2023 to work on a new album with the exciting addition of bassist Devon Clausen (Idle Ray, Goodyhead).
Are there any other interesting or amusing happenings that the band have been involved with that would be of interest to those who like your music?
Rishi and Elly are recording engineers who run a studio out of their basement, producing music in a variety of genres. They are experienced with both digital and analog recording workflows, and they enjoy bringing projects to life with their many musical friends. Notable collaborators include Jim Cherewick, Child Sleep, Modern Lady Fitness, and Human Skull.