Tarn PK On the Making Of “Cry Baby”
Can you tell us about the inspiration behind "Cry Baby" and the story it tells?
When I’m writing I don’t like to think too much. In fact, I don’t know if I even remember writing this one. I came across the demo a few months later and felt there was something interesting there and was worth pursuing to the finish line. I then wrote the rest of the song around the chorus, and it went through several iterations, but the core idea was always the same. I think the sentiment of appreciation for what you have and not being caught up in what you don’t is something I often come back to; a lot of my songs tend to be me talking to myself.
How did you approach the arrangement and composition of the music for this song?
I’m always drawn to music that has a certain level of simplicity and minimalism. The 3 elements of the live drum break, nylon guitar, and synthesiser had such propulsion that inspired different cadences and lyrics. I liked how anticlimactic the chorus was, and even as the song went on and more elements appeared, like the vibraphone, I wanted it to remain understated. I love songs that are intimate and feel like they were made on a budge.
How does "Cry Baby" fit into your overall artistic vision and what can listeners expect from you in the future?
“Cry Baby” is a combination of sounds and a lyrical angle that I felt was unexplored territory for me. It’s the first track from my upcoming EP, which was hugely informed by my time living in the city, having left Uni, and needing to work to live. That reality check and internal struggle is definitely an overarching theme of this next movement.
Can you share a bit about your musical background and the journey that led you to where you are today?
I started recording music when I was about 12, making covers on GarageBand and uploading videos onto YouTube. Since then, I have played in bands all through my teenage years, most as a drummer, and released my own music since I was about 16. The latest development for me in the last few years has been beginning to work with more artists as a producer, which is such a great counterbalance to my own projects. This is my fourth EP, and they are all so varied; I’m always exploring and finding what feels most intriguing at that time.
Can you discuss some of your favorite production techniques or tools that you frequently use to achieve a specific sound or texture?
We live in an interesting time when it comes to music production, with so many technological developments and new levels of detachment from the traditional recording studio environment. I can record something on my phone, and this can end up in a final track. This level of freedom in production is very exciting. During the time I was working on “Cry Baby,” I spent a bit of time tinkering away on sounds whilst at my reception job with an AirPod in, haha. When it comes to specifics, a technique which almost never lets me down is just tuning instruments up or down an octave using the Waves Soundshifter; it adds a texture that you just can’t get from other alternatives.
