Introducing #118 - Thals
Let us introduce you to Thals - a half Columbian, half Spanish indie-pop skater girl who is filled to the top with punk rock flair and a rock-star heart. She has just released her new single ‘Lo2Hi’ - a dreamy guitar track that ticks influences from the likes of girl in red and Clairo.
Hey there Thals, so your new track ‘Lo2Hi is out now, can you tell us what it is about?
One of my only "weapons" I have left as an artist is not giving away the true meanings of what my songs are about, such as to allow the listeners to draw their own understandings of the songs. Such is the interpretation of art is it not? ;)
But I can say It comes from a disheartening point in 2020, isolation mixed with a little dose of heartbreak and longing. I was in a songwriting session with my buddy Askil, and we got inspired by the sounds of Daylow and Blanks. Ironically, I went into the session wanting to write something happy, and as soon as we got the first three chords, the chorus came to me instantly. I dont know how, but at one my lowest points, we managed to write one of the most uplifting songs I’ve ever written. I then took the song to my producer Decria and well the rest the story is in the sounds that you hear.
You are half Colombian, half Spanish - do you feel your heritage influences your music style at all?
Yeah! I've always been listening to 90's and 2000's Spanish pop and I feel like some of my compositional choices reflect that. On top of that, I am also very up-to-date with the current music scene in Madrid. There's so many insanely talented independent artists that all know and collaborate with each other, making really great music. Some of them are friends of mine! The old school American teenage pop-rock from the early 2000s is coming back with a refreshed retro take in the Madrid scene, and so I feel like my music is definitely influenced by that
You are based in London now, what are your favorite things about the city?
The architecture, the streets, the noise, the style, the cultural diversity... basically everything! You can really be anyone here. Everyone is so used to people with eclectic style choices that I could paint my hair hot pink and nobody would bat an eye.
What are your key musical influences?
Girl In Red, Clairo, The Neighbourhood, Arctic Monkeys.. but even though they are my influences, I feel like I'm still figuring out my own sound.
Along with your music, you like to skate - are there any skaters you look up to?
To be honest, I'm not an aspiring skater or anything, I just skate because it takes my mind off of things and I get to meet really cool people that are into the skate scene. But if I had to name names, two skater girls that I love and follow on the gram are Victoria Taylor and Cata Diaz.
Where are your favorite places to go skating?
I just love skating through the endless streets of London, finding new places every time. I'm not so good skating in actual skate parks, but I love the one in Mile End.
How would you describe your music to someone who has never listened to you before?
Expect the unexpected! I don’t know exactly what I’m doing yet, but I do know exactly what I’m not doing; wasting time. One day I write a indie-punk banger and the day after I’ll write a dreamy shoegaze self-love anthem. I don’t even know what I’ll do next, but I know for damn sure its gonna blow you away.