Ebb and Flow Interview With Tasha Baxter

INTERVIEW

IN CELEBRATION OF WOMEN'S MONTH TASHA BAXTER OPENS UP TO US

Not only is she is a singer, songwriter but she is a DJ, producer and a mum, heavily influenced by her fans Tasha Baxter is no stranger to the Electronic world of music. She is one of South Africa’s most forward-thinking dance, trip-hop, and drum ‘n bass innovators. Over the past few years, she has developed a reputation as a multi-talented artist who has lent her songwriting and vocal skills to many high-profile projects, albums, and songs. She has made a substantial impact on the Cape Town and Johannesburg music scenes, working with the likes of drum ‘n bass producers Counterstrike, various house producers, and featuring on Soulsista’s album. Her debut album Colour Of Me was released in 2007 and was produced by Dutch trio Noisia. She has also been featured on a number of Feed Me's track which were signed to Mau5strap the official label of Electronic Dance Music's Lord of Trance Deadmau5. Over and above this she has worked with Spor, Chasing Shadows, Indivision, Upbeats, Playma, Brookes Brothers, DJ Friction, Counterstrike and many more. He music has toured internationally and has played alongside industry greats. It's no wonder Tasha Baxter is admired and looked up to by so many. We think it's easy to see why she is our featured female artist for this week. She is proof that women are strong enough to overcome anything all it takes is hard work and dedication.

Hello, Tasha a very warm welcome to you from the Think In Electronic team. Finally, we get the chance to chat with you. Thank you for giving us this opportunity

How are you doing and what’s your favorite drink for winter?

I'm doing okay thanks! Coffee, always coffee :)

Tell us a little more about who you are and how you found yourself in Music.

Well first and foremost I'm a mother of two, my daughter Gina is 13 and my son Luca is 12, born in Cape Town, left there at 21 to pursue a life in Joburg, I love cats and animals in general, my mother was born in Egypt and I have always been involved in music really...I had my first band at 12 with Lance from flypaper Jet and Paul from Lark, we were called Dry Water :)

How easy was it for you to break into a male-dominated field. Did you feel you had to work much harder to gain any form of recognition because of being a female?

To be honest, I don't think I have broken into it, I don't really get booked much as I don't really push myself as a DJ, it kind of happened by chance. It was never really my first love. It was a secondary option after performing live with a band. But it's definitely less labour intensive and way easier, you don't have to rely on 4 other band members, book rehearsal space, rehearse, etc. It seemed like a natural progression as I was working with most of the artists I was playing and its super fun. I don't see it being male-dominated as much as it is ego dominated.

Do you feel electronic music as a genre generally values the talents of most female artists other than for merely lending their vocals?

Yeah, I do, I can say that for myself, I don't just merely lend my vocals, when writing lyrics I am often involved in more than just the vocal process, sometimes structurally and musically, to choosing the title. But for me, I do tend to try to do more than just sing on a track. I try to speak to whoever is listening and edify that person in whatever way I can. I find it hard to sing about menial stuff. I wish I could...it might make me more money :)

Having travelled all over the world and having been exposed to the different music scenes in various countries, how does the local electronic scene here measure up and what makes ours unique?

Haha! Travel all over the world, I wish...my music has, but not I! I have performed with Feed Me and Skrillex at Bestival in the UK, Holland, where I went to record with Noisia and Paris and I have been to Norway. That's about it. But from what I have seen, which is not much as I have been knee-deep in my kids, I think we have a healthy scene and its growing. People might have some blinkers to take off, but the only way that's gonna happen is through the promoters and possibly mainstream radio. They only know what they are being fed. So you can't blame them. But thank God for the internet. It sure as hell helped me!

You have worked with many international big names Nosia, Feed Me, etc. Did you find it easier to break out internationally especially in a period where electronic music is becoming very much a global phenomenon? Are our local talents seizing the opportunity?

Well, I'm not sure, the thing is the relationships with Spor/Feed me was made well over 7 years ago as was the one with Noisia. And when my album was released it seems the local market wasn't quite ready for it at the time when we could have perhaps pioneered a sound straight out of SA with topnotch European producers. I think we have always been concerned about following suit. Or the majors have at least. We have all we need here, we sure as hell have the talent, we just don't have the platform half the time. It's frustrating. All these bass genres that are now huge, were about to explode a couple years back and I know guys here that have been doing it for years, only now are they getting the recognition they deserve.

Are there any women in the industry you lookup to or respect?

Electronic or? Well, Emika is great! Imogen is amazing. Bjork. All of these woman pioneers, produce, push the envelope. Beth Gibbons obviously!

Do you think there's equality between men and women in the music industry?

I do, I just don't know if there are enough women! But there is always that thing, "yoh, so good, AND she's a chick!" Haha...:/

What has been the biggest challenge that you have faced in the industry and how did you overcome it to get to where you are today? Any lessons learned you can share..

I think I'm facing that challenge now, were basically for the last two years I have been admitted to Tara hospital twice for 6 months at a time for Bipolar 1. I lost everything, my house, kids moved in with their dad, my boyfriend, my studio in Juta street, my career. Totally off the map for two years trying to build myself up again. Had two severe manic episodes and people saw me in some really serious states, I had to apologize to people and explain what happened. Ask forgiveness and forgive myself. Pick myself up and carry on. Knowing that I can only move forward and write powerful music from this!

How important is women empowerment not only in music but also in every career?

Hugely, I don't think there is much of it, but I'm not much of a socialite and people can take that the wrong way. Empowerment in general and respect is vital. Knowing that everyone has their own shit they are dealing with, but that music is a beautiful language that bridges all gaps and is the glue that holds us together it is what keeps me going!