2 weeks ago
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On “Covet”, pulsing drums entwine with earthy bass and gritty guitar riffs. “After laying the foundation of how I wanted the lyrics to sound atmospherically, then came the word and title ‘Covet’, which then became the core of the song and the rest spidered from there,” vocalist and lyricist Freya Talbot shares.
Tanzana comprises Talbot; Sarah Dunn (lead guitar); Lily Findlay (rhythm guitar); Katie Hare (bass); and Karolina Skinderskyte (drums). The band formed in 2023, in the final years of high school, after being asked to perform in a Battle of the Bands against neighbouring schools. “We then went on to win the competition, so we decided to see where else this could lead and found that the chemistry we had as friends and band members was something we felt was special, and have continued ever since,” Findlay explains.
Drawing on elements of alternative rock, post-punk, and trip-hop, the Glasgow group carve out a sound that is both deeply organic and subtly dystopian. “[Our influences] change each time we write a new song, but we find that Radiohead, Big Thief and Wolf Alice are often returning sources of inspiration,” Finlay shares. Intricate textures and reverberating guitar lines shape the melodic atmosphere, while Talbot's voice moves between eerie whispers and cathartic outbursts.
Lyrically, “Covet” explores longing and obsession, building towards something almost apocalyptic, with lines like “I know it’s the end”. The atmosphere and words came to Talbot during a walk in a forest near her home in January: “The environment was so heavy, cold and creepy, but so beautiful it definitely inspired the atmosphere of the lyrics and the feeling I wanted to create.”
Tanzana deliver a fragile intensity as the melody fractures into quiet disorder, at once dark and ethereal. Eerie bass weaves through the track, guitar lines echo with feedback, and ritualistic percussion drives the track forward. If “Covet” is any indication, they are a force set to haunt stages and playlists alike.
Next up for Tanzana is a run of performances. “You can expect lots more gigs outside of Scotland”, Findlay says. “We are absolutely bursting for 2026 to arrive!” With upcoming appearances including Borderline Festival in Dublin and The Great Escape in Brighton, the band aim to develop their visual identity through their live shows. “[It’s] almost ceremonial to come together and get ready to play on stage,” Findlay shares.
English (US) · 