From New York, Tamaryn offers a trippy experience. Between cold neo-pagan fumes and warm Californian beach music, they bring dense atmospheres to storm your ears. A new goddess rises on the death rock night clubs.
 
It’s not difficult to imagine Tamaryn Brown waving her long black hair among heavy fog, on stage. As a matter of fact, that’s a perfect image to describe her music: the sharp but sweet croon of her voice rides as a beacon of light against wave upon wave of a highly dense atmosphere from reverbed drums and otherworldly (partly subliminal) guitar swells.

Given the name of the band, one tends to forget that most times it takes two to tango or, well, in this case, rock it out. Rex John Shelverton comprises the second half of the group, as a regular collaborator. He’s from California, and his surfing mojo can be flavored along the dark tones of his New Yorker counterpart. Between them both, they give birth to this familiar yet new sound.

Comparisons have been drawn here and there, with 80’s coldwave, shoegaze and whatnot, and they all retain a certain truth to themselves. We’d like to add some stoner-esque vibe to the long list. Heavy percussions on tracks like “The Unknown” can totally trip you down to a desert bonfire surrounded by hungry coyotes, quiet beachy sunsets with a cigarette on your lips or any other peyote-friendly scenario you can imagine.

Last month, they released their 7’’, Mild Confusion b/w Light shadows, that followed the release of their EP, Led astray, washed ashore. They’ve already given us a happy ending to the last decade and started the new one by answering our questions. Cheers to that!
 
You've been categorized under many genres: shoegaze, goth, 80's coldwave, death rock, etc. What do you feel is true about all these labels?

I like that there is a wide variety of opinions. And I think the music we make has elements of most of these. Everyone needs a point of reference and if people read we sound like their favorite genre then, maybe, they will give it a listen and decide for themselves.
 
What do you find as most important when writing the songs?

The atmospherics are very important. I love songs where you can immerse yourself in the sounds. Or when harmonics and reverb trick you into thinking that things are happening that are not.
 
How would you describe your musical relationship with Rex?

It's definitely a collaboration. I think we have a very special thing, musically, that I know I could only have with him. He is a fantastic producer and songwriter and is totally in it for the satisfaction of being creative.
 
What are your present expectations?

My only goal right now is too finish this album. Then, I think it takes on a life of its own. When the body of work is finished and put out into the world, we'll see what happens. I do expect to play a lot more next year. Hopefully in Argentina!
 
What are your influences?

I'm influenced by other musicians, friends, films. Lyrically, I find a great deal of inspiration from observing other people and trying to figure out how they perceive reality.
 
We know you love videos. What are your favorite videos and movies?

So many! I’ll name a few off the top of my head. Music videos: Dead can Dance - Frontier, Kate Bush - Babooshka, Talk Talk - Life's What You Make It.  Movies: Night Of the Hunter, Fellini's City of Women, Altman's Images.
 
Your music has something dense, like NY, yet something beachy, like California. Was this intentional?

Exactly! I think it's a combination of the two. When we developed the sound, Rex was living in California and had already had several bands out there over the years. I had been in New York for 9 years or so. I was playing one off shows and messing around with influences such as the no wave scene and other underground artists from the late 70's and early 80's New York. I was making pretty moody music on my own with a 4 track reel, when Rex and I began to collaborate. Naturally we had a big spectrum of emotions in the music: some sweeter, some a little more brooding. Now that I've moved to California it seems like the songs have even more of a beachy and dreamy quality than before. We will always have some darkness in it, though; I don't think I'll ever escape that side of things. It's just part of who I am.
 
Your shows and videos are pretty aesthetic. What designers inspire you?

Zandra Rhodes, 80's Yves Saint Laurent, Norma Kamali, Westwood.

Index and article photos by Julia Soler (check her out!)