An Interview With TATIANA SCOTT On Her Latest Single and Video For ‘Liar,’ The Powerful BLM Movement and More!

“Liar” is the newest single from the singer-songwriter, Tatiana Scott. It was co-written with Emmanuel Talton and produced by Tatiana Adams, Rod Adams, Emmanuel Talton and Venor Yard. The track is an emotional gut wrenching ballad that examines the course of a romance now doomed. In “Liar,” Tatiana Scott examines the burning pain of heartbreak when a lover has been unfaithful. Joined once again by her “Musical Siblings,” Venor Yard on Guitar, Emmanuel Talton on Keys, Tatiana gives her audience the permission to confront their love betrayed. “Liar” comes after her debut single “IDCU.”

Tatiana Scott was born in Bridgeport, CT and she moved to NYC as a teen to attend the legendary Fame School LaGuardia Arts where she studied music. She lists Aretha Franklin, James Fauntleroy, Beyonce and Travis Garland at the top of her musical inspirations. Tatiana doesn’t put her music in a box though unable to claim one genre she says, “I just want my music to speak to the hearts of those who listen to it, I want them to be ok with their vulnerability no matter what they may be feeling at the time.”

Tatiana has performed on various stages around the world traveling internationally during her time with the Harlem Gospel Choir, as well as hitting major stages in NYC; SOBs, The GreeneSpace and 54 Below just to name a few. This spring, she released her debut album The Beautiful Struggle.

Check out the music video to “Liar” here-

Connect With Tatiana Scott Online Here:

Facebook- https://www.facebook.com/TatianaScottSings

Instagram- www.instagram.com/tatiana_anastassia

Learn more about Tatiana Scott in the following All Access interview:

Thank you for your time. So given these unusual Covid-19 times, what does a typical day look like for you? How have you adjusted to these times?

Thank you for having me. = ) 

Well the beautiful thing about being a creative is that my day varies based on the needs of the day, week, or month. At the beginning of the Quarantine, my husband and I just stayed inside and we only went out for essential errands. For the first two or three weeks I just slept because that was the only way to process the fear and loss. My husband would play 2K and make sure we ate. After a few weeks I emerged from the covers and started going on what my friends call “sanity walks,” we’d take our dog for a walk just to get some air and feel the sun on our faces. I participated in a few IG Live and Zoom events, filmed content for IG and Youtube. I exercised my anxiety by creating, designing, making things, reading, learning a new skill, reading, basically anything to keep my mind.

Now that things are opening up, I still run basic errands, we’re in a bit of a transition so things are busy and slow at the same time. Overall I’ve really just been trying to go with the flow, learning to accept that I can’t control everything has honestly been a welcomed lesson. My biggest concern has been for my family. We’ve just been holding onto each other. Everything else after that is replaceable. I’m sure we’ll go back to the way things were before the pandemic (in some way) but for now I’m just holding onto my blessings.

What has been the hardest/most challenging part about being quarantined? Is your city starting to open up more now?

The hardest part was definitely the impact it had on the roll out of my album. We had to cancel my album release party the week before, and push back the release date. I’d booked my first off-Broadway gig and Rona just killed it. So there were definitely some disappointments career-wise.

And I lost two people to the virus and that quickly put things into perspective. It’s definitely hard not being able to have the closure of a funeral or saying goodbye. It feels like one of those crazy nightmares. It’s hard to believe the times we’re living in now. Finding a new normal is definitely an adjustment.

I live in New York, in The Bronx, things have been slowly opening up for a few weeks now. The retail stores just opened back up so it’s starting to feel a little bit more like before. The biggest thing that I’m noticing folks struggling with is social distancing though. When I’m waiting in line for something, I have to remind people behind me to back up. And of course there’s the occasional person who doesn’t want to wear a mask and is screaming about how the whole thing is a hoax. Oy Vey.  

What has it been like having to reschedule so many of your spring, summer and most likely fall shows? What shows in 2021 are you are already excited for? 

The plus side about my situation is that I was literally just breaking in with my project so the only show I had scheduled was my album release party. We’d invited some industry folks in hopes that that would lead to a buzz and more opportunities, but once we cancelled that event, that was it. It’s been a blessing in disguise though because I’ve learned to just be patient and ride the wave. Things are a bit up in the air right now, but I’m OK with it. I’m excited to see what then next six months brings, despite how 2020 has gone so far, I’m feeling optimistic.

Since we are all desperately missing live music, can you recall a favorite show of yours from the past? What do you think ultimately makes for a great show for you?

My favorite show was at the Greene Space for WNYC’s Battle of the Boroughs. It was my second time performing on their stage. It was my favorite because it was a songwriting competition and I’d gone through some things that year, and the songs reflected it. I sang “747” and “Freefall.” It felt so good to get up there and purge and I made it to the top five. It was nice to have that validation after a tough year. I love performing at the Greene Space, it’s a beautiful venue.

Ultimately what makes a great show for me is when the audience is involved. Their energy is really important to the overall experience. A great show is when it feels like a big group therapy session. It’s cathartic because singing the songs is healing for me and there is someone in the audience whose emotions are validated by those songs. Everyone wins.

Let’s talk about your recently released single, “Liar.” What was the inspiration for this track? Have you dealt with a liar in a past relationship?

“Liar” is the prequel to “IDCU,” every relationship has a turning point

What was it like shooting the music video for “Liar”? How creatively involved with the overall process were you?  

Shooting the video for “Liar” was a dream come true for me. I’ve done a lot of background work for TV, film and other music videos but this one was finally for me. It was surreal, definitely something I won’t ever forget. I was very involved in the entire process. The director Pratt Hanna and I worked together during our retail days (survival jobs) and we always said we’d work together when we transitioned into our careers, so when it came time to shoot the videos for this project I called him. I handpicked all the actors in the video. They were all former fellow theater majors. This career path can be really hard, work can be scarce, so I wanted to create something for myself and my friends. Pratt and I worked on the concept together, we worked on the wardrobe and everything. It was an amazing team effort. Pratt brought in an amazing team and we knocked out 2 videos in 2 days.

How would you say that “Liar” and your debut single “IDCU” prepares listeners for your debut album, “Beautiful Struggle”? What other songs on this collection are you excited to share with listeners?

I think it’s a great introduction. “IDCU” is a chill vibe that piques the interest and “Liar” comes in and backs it up with vocals. This album has something for everyone on it. I really poured my heart into it. I’m excited for folks to hear all the songs because each song speaks to someone, but the songs that I think are most fitting especially for right now are “Awake” and “Beautiful Struggle.” Both songs touch on what’s going on right now. “Awake” deals with the stressors of anxiety and “Beautiful Struggle” touches on the different facets of the Black Experience. And the album is available now on all major digital platforms. We released it on my Grandmother’s birthday April 9th.

How do you think future music is going to be influenced by this incredible and absolutely necessary Black Lives Matter movement that the US and even the world is going through now? Is it inspiring you and your music today?

I think this movement is going to have a huge impact on music to come. It’s already having an impact now. There’s going to be an outpouring for sure especially when you combine the BLM Movement with the effects of the pandemic and quarantine. Writing music is what’s helped me through this whole thing. For awhile it was the only way for me to examine how I felt about things. As a Black woman sometimes it’s hard to speak on a topic. I became so numb and overwhelmed at the same time. I felt emotions I couldn’t name and when I’d open my mouth to speak I’d cry. So I wrote songs about it instead. Writing is my therapy. I think there are a lot of artists out there going through a similar experience.

If you could get into the studio with any artist today, who would it be and why? 

I have been fortunate enough to work with some pretty amazing artists so far and most of them my family. But my for sure dream collaboration would be James Fauntleroy. He is such an artist!!! Listening to his music is like admiring a beautiful painting. There are so many layers to one of his songs. He can write and produce the hell out of a song and lyrically, he is so creative. At the best and the worst moments in my life I listen to James Fauntleroy. I want to learn anything I can from him.

Would you like to share anything else about yourself or your music with our readers? 

My debut album, “The Beautiful Struggle” is out now on all streaming services everywhere!!! It’s also on Youtube for those who don’t have subscriptions. You can follow me on instagram @IamTatianaScott. And you can check out the music videos for both of my singles “IDCU’ and “Liar” on Youtube.