Happy Monday, readers!
Meet our new Music Monday artist of the week, Tallia Storm.
Tallia Storm is a Scottish soul and R&B musician that was discovered by music legend Elton John at age 13. Since then, she has grown into her own as a young hybrid of Amy Winehouse and Erykah Badu.
Tallia released her debut EP Social Security earlier this year, which features four original songs, including “California,” “Our Love Should Last Forever,” “I Just Need You,” and her single “Social Security.”
“I think this EP is an excellent introduction to my vibe. My single ‘Social Security’ is a fun play on social media etiquette or perhaps the lack of it,” laughs Tallia. “The second track ‘California’ is a soulful ballad that means so much to me. I’ve been so lucky in the USA and especially California. LA has such an insatiable energy – the city is vibrant and this song is about the dreams that are fuelled by all that it has to offer. The third track ‘Our Love Should Last Forever’ is about a young girl who is struggling to come to terms with her father walking out on her family and finally the last track ‘I Just Need You’ is about teenage love,” said the 16 year old Scot.
The 16-year-old is currently working on her studio album and has been championed by the UK’s BBC Radio 1Xtra / BBC introducing platform last summer for her unique vocal signature and writing ability. She also has active campaigns with Paul Frank and Airheads candy, has spoken at TEDxTeen in NYC, as well as inked her first ever 2 book deal with Scholastic, with the first book out in September 2015.
CelebSecrets4U caught up with Tallia Storm recently to talk all things music and books! In our interview, the soul singer talks about her musical inspirations, her debut EP #SocialSecurity, her book series, and what’s next for her in the future. Tallia also talks about her love for both writing and recording and a super cool hidden talent that no one knows about her! Make sure to check out the Q&A below.
For more information on Tallia Storm, make sure to visit her official website at http://www.talliastorm.com/.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R1MV6c7gIyY
CS4U: Some media outlets have deemed you as a young Amy Whinehouse, who would you say is an inspiration for your music?
Tallia Storm: “My roots are jazz – my father gave me a wonderful education in Jazz from Coltrane, to Dizzy and Dinah, Billie, Sarah Vaughan – all those guys then I discovered Motown and Chic and of course Nile Rodgers . I’m a huge fan of Amy Winehouse – she had such a unique signature – she was a phenomenal talent. I think when you’re 16 like I am, you’re inspired every day from acts as I’m growing every day as an artist – I adore Frank Ocean, Kendrick Lamar, Erykah Badu, Jill Scott – a definite urban / R&B sound is where I’m at.”
CS4U: Your EP #SocialSecurity was released earlier this month, it is very modern and youthful and honest. What made you want to go this route with your music?
Tallia Storm: “It’s just who I am really – I think as we grow creatively, I’m like a little cake with the sprinklings of good stuff, sucking all the energy and goodness out of the guys that inspire me and then mixing it in with my organic ingredients. I like to think I put a Tallia twist on things – make them mine so to speak. You don’t set out to do what other people are doing, you set out to deliver the kind of music that you love listening to and just hope other people like it too.”
CS4U: Can you tell us a little bit about what went into the making of it?
Tallia Storm: “Well I jam with Sascha on the piano nearly every day when I’m at home. We play with ideas, write and mess about. I love writing too and I’m fascinated by the growth of emoji’s and the influence they are having on our culture – it’s like a whole new language and we’ve just all adopted it, no questions asked. With everything that’s new we tend to learn as we go along and that’s what Social Security is about – talking about social media etiquette or the lack of it to be honest. There’s a lost of fake personalities out there – just liking for the sake of it, retweeting, random approaches from strangers. So this this is just a little wake up call – I’m just having a little fun with that message and if people can enjoy the song and dance at the same time, then all the better.”
CS4U: You also have your first short story also debuted earlier last month! Can you tell us a little bit about that?
Tallia Storm: “I know I can hardly believe that. It’s called ‘A Storm is Coming’ and is basically a teaser short story to my debut novel which is being released by Scholastic in the Autumn. The story is bascially a fictional tale based on my own life experiences and it follows this really cool character called ‘Storm Hall’, as she sets out to make a name for herself in music. You know been a teenager today can be challenging and so there are loads of pitfalls and triumphs in there and of course – major excitement – but I don’t want to spoil it so you will just have to download the short story from itunes now and wait for the book in the autumn.”
CS4U: Do you have a preference between music and writing?
Tallia Storm: “Music will always be my number one thing – there is no other option for me – music is in my soul but my writing is just an extension of my growth as an artist. My creative writing inspires my lyrics so it’s the best education and grounding one can hope for as a lyricist. So it all works well. As soon as I finish writing a chapter, my imagination is fuelled for lyrics so it’s really fuelling and motivating.”
CS4U: You absolutely have your hands full at the moment, is there anything we can expect to see from you in the near future?
Tallia Storm: “Well I’ve got loads of festivals I’m doing in the summer in the UK and Channel Islands and then I’m coming out to NYC in mid September so that will be cool. I’ve just done a campaign with Paul Frank as the new face of the brand – we shot this really cool commercial for them which is debuting at all the One Direction concerts in the UK so that’s cool – I even get to meet the boys so can’t wait for that. I’m also working with Chupa Chups Airheads sweets so it’s safe to say life is never dull. I’m just so grateful to be busy doing what I love – singing!”
CS4U: Lastly, since our website is called CelebSecrets4U, is there a secret or hidden talent you can share with us and our readers?
Tallia Storm: “Oh yes, I’m a secret hula hooper gal – been doing that since I was a baby and I gotta say I love it!”
