A Conversation With Tonia
A Conversation With Tonia
Growing up in a musical family, Tonia (pronounced Toe-knee-a) was surrounded by pianists, opera singers, pop lovers, and Dad rock fans. Whilst her Grandad played her Chet Baker, her sister listened to Lily Allen. The eclecticism that surrounded her seeped into her output. Moving to Liverpool saw Tonia take the city by storm, becoming one of Liverpool International Music Festival’s (LIMF) Academy’s ‘Most Promising’ artists in 2020/2021.
In 2021 she experienced success with her debut single and EP track ‘Flux’. Impressing even the most seasoned pros with her self-assured style and sincerity, ‘Flux’ won Tonia radio fans like BBC Radio’s Jack Saunders, Sian Eleri, Gemma Bradley, and BBC Introducing.
Tonia has become a firm favourite live act. After playing Sound City, Tonia supported Michael Aldag at Colours in Hoxton and made a guest appearance with the Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra. Having mastered the art of holding an audience in her hand, it wasn’t surprising that Tonia’s first headline gig sold out, and shortly afterwards, she made her London debut for Blind Magazine at The Old Blue Last. Since then, Tonia has played The Cavern Club with BBC Introducing and captivated crowds at Kendall Calling.
Honest lyrics blend into the pulse of her ode to mellow soul, and the worlds she merges are known for their free-thinking, indiscriminate nature. Building upon her distinctive sound, the singer has an adept skill for diary-style, heartfelt storytelling. Her music is honest, intimate, and revealing, inviting the listener into her most personal moments.
NSG: Good afternoon and how are you? What have you been doing today and how’s that going?
Tonia: Hey! I’m doing well thanks, how are you? I did my radio show ‘Mornings With Tonia’ on Melodic Distraction this morning which was a great start to the day!
NSG: Where did you grow up and how did your music journey begin?
Tonia: I grew up in Nottingham and then travelled to Liverpool to study music at LIPA. Since I was young, I’ve always felt a deep connection to music and loved discovering and listening to new sounds. I started playing the violin and viola at the age of 6 and then the piano a little after that. I loved writing little poems and making songs up on the piano. It wasn’t until I started learning guitar that I took writing more seriously. I played Viola in the Nottingham Youth Orchestra so I grew up having a few different outlets for music and performing. I was also trained in classical singing when I started secondary school. As I got a bit older, I started to discover my love for jazz and more alternative pop music like Lianne La Havas. I remember watching a video of her performing with a guitar which really inspired me to start learning.
NSG: Your debut EP ‘Afloat’ has been described by yourself as unreservedly exploring themes of heartbreak, growth and moving on, breaking down her experience of coming of age as a woman. It’s an important subject, coming of age as a woman, something we don’t hear much about, unfortunately. In your own words, could you tell me a bit more about your EP and your journey in coming of age as a woman?
Tonia: Most of the time I find it easier to express how I’m feeling when I’m songwriting and I’ll be able to figure out my thoughts on situations once I’ve sat down and written about it- some kind of therapy. So I guess that’s what these songs are, me growing up and the songs explore the process of navigating situations in my life that were weighing quite heavily on me at the time. In the EP the first two songs “Flux” and “Empty Conversations” are about coping with lost love and as you carry on listening to the rest of the EP, the songs reveal my growth such as supporting myself, living independently and having a more mature and positive outlook.
NSG: As you know we’re a Liverpool-based publication. We know you are not originally from here, what is it about the city that makes you want to live here?
Tonia: I love living here! It’s a very friendly city and I feel very at home in the city. There are a lot of wonderful spaces for creativity and there are so many incredibly talented people living here which is very inspiring and motivating. I’ve also been very fortunate to have had the support from the LIMF Academy and Melodic Distraction.
(Tonia)
NSG: How do you think the music industry treats women? Do you think it’s harder to succeed being female?
Tonia: I do think there is an underlying level of respect male musicians naturally have for one another and I feel that female musicians sometimes have to prove themselves to gain the same level of respect. I’ve also seen male musicians achieve success a lot quicker than my female peers when the females are just as talented.
NSG: What do you think is the key to happiness?
Tonia: Setting boundaries. Having a break from your phone and social media. Surrounding yourself with people who genuinely have your best interests at heart and will support you no matter what.
NSG: You have had a really busy few years, supporting fellow musicians like Michal Aldag, playing Sound City and Kendall Calling, along with your music being played extensively on BBC Radio and others. Can I ask how you feel about this amount of success you’ve already had and what have been your favourite moments?
Tonia: I feel super lucky and grateful to have had the support that I have received over the past year. I have been able to meet some incredible people with each experience. I really enjoyed our set at Kendal Calling. I was a bit nervous to play as it was my first time playing at a festival with my band but the crowd were super engaged and it felt amazing to play to a crowd of people that had never heard my music before. I also played with the Liverpool Philharmonic Youth Orchestra which was a really beautiful experience. It was overwhelming hearing my music being played by an orchestra and it was also quite a full circle moment as I used to play in The Nottingham Youth Orchestra when I was younger.
NSG: Your music is very unique and very different from a lot of the mainstream music you hear. Do you think it’s harder building a career in music when your music and style does not fit the conventional pop sound?
Tonia: I think nowadays with the rise of streaming and TikTok taking over the world (lol) I think there’s a lot of space for people to be creating all sorts of music and reaching new audiences and audience types through these platforms. People are more accepting and welcoming of new sounds and I do think there’s an audience out there for anything, you just have to find it. I do think when the music doesn’t fit exactly into one genre it’s quite hard to fit into festival lineups.
(Afloat Artwork)
NSG: Who or what have been your influences as a musician?
Tonia: When I was younger, I loved Lily Allen, Avril Lavigne and Florence and the Machine. I’ve always loved and admired Lily’s witty, tongue-in-cheek lyrics. As I got older I started classical singing and was introduced to many more artists such as Carole King and Etta James. I really admire Carole King’s storytelling and the honesty of the lyrics. My love for Etta James awakened my love for jazz and the freedom of melodies and emotion. Lianne La Havas is also a huge inspiration of mine, she inspired me to learn the guitar. I think recently I find it hard to pinpoint specific influences because I am constantly influenced.
NSG: If you could sit down for dinner with any three people from history, past or present who would they be and why?
Tonia: Etta James, I recently read her book ‘Rage to Survive’ and her life was so fascinating. I’d love to sit down with her and talk about it. I’d love to discuss songwriting with Carole King and Freddy Mercury.
NSG Anyone you think we should be listening to and what’s on your playlist?
Tonia: I am OBSESSED with Benee’s new tune “Green Honda“. It gives me a huge dopamine boost whenever I hear it! I also fell in love with Jordana’s track “SYT” and Sun June’s track “Everything I Had“, such ethereal, dreamy tunes. Duval Timothy and Yu Su’s track “Wood” is possibly one of the most beautiful tunes I’ve heard, the perfect song to listen to with a cup of tea in the morning.
NSG: What is the rest of 2023 looking like for you, new music, tours? And what are you most looking forward to?
Tonia: I’m super excited to release the EP and to perform it live. I’m supporting the band ‘Tungz’ on the 12th of March in Manchester which will be great fun and I’m also supporting the band ‘Say She She’ in Liverpool on the 24th of March, I’ve played them a lot on my radio show and I’m a huge fan! I’m also excited to write, work with new people and explore further the depths of my songwriting.
NSG: Thank you so much for your time. Is there anything else you’d like to add?
Tonia: Thank you so much for having me!
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