Band Of The Week #175 - Tigress
This week’s Band of the Week is Chelmsford based band Tigress - who have just released their debut album ‘PURA VIDA’ via Humble Angel Records. PURA VIDA’ holds a magnifying glass up at a world that values one-click filters over reality, and that celebrates youth and beauty above much else, highlighting and confronting the destructive impact of societal expectation. The band took a moment to talk to us about how the album came together.
Hey there Tigress, so your debut album is finally here - how does it feel to have it out there In the world?
Surreal, we finished writing it years ago. Because of the pandemic we've been sitting on it for what feels like an eternity. We recorded it at the beginning of 2020, right before the first lockdown. We travelled to, for us, what felt like the edge of the world, the Outer Hebrides. Spent the whole of February there on the Isle Of Lewis, writing and recording. We went there for the isolation, you know, so that there were no distractions. So that we could concentrate on recording the album and nothing else. Little did we know, the isolation would continue after we'd finished and got home. But, it's certainly exciting to finally have it out there for people to listen to.. LOUD, with a good pair of headphones is my recommendation.
It is titled ‘Pura Vida’ - what is the meaning behind that?
Pura Vida means Pure Life. People spend all their time online in a manufactured digital world. You can end up with this false perception of what is important in life, and often these things you think will bring you happiness and fulfilment, are actually doing the opposite. You become detached from the things that actually matter, and you end up feeling lost and alone. You fill yourself with anxiety and this fear that you are missing out all the time. Pura Vida is about weeding out those things that no longer serve you, finding out what is important to you, and nurturing these things so that they grow and serve you in a positive way.
Where was the album recorded? Any behind the scenes stories from the creative process you are happy to share with us?
The album was recorded at Black Bay SStudio in the Outer Hebrides. We had a lot of work to do, and not much time to get it done. We did long days, often recording into the early hours of the morning. Those were our favourite times actually. There's nothing like tracking drums to a moody song in the dead of night, with the sea crashing on your door step. The studio overlooked a bay where seals had been spotted swimming and playing in the sea. We were recording drums one evening, and between takes we heard a banging on one of the windows. A seal had swum up through the bay and was nodding his head in approval, tapping his nose on the window. Actually, if you listen closely to "Starting Tomorrow" you can hear the seal's nose gently tapping the window.
What are the key themes and influences on the album?
The album certainly has a sort of new grunge vibe to it. We all share a love of pop punk, and then each member brings their own influences, from prog rock to r&b. We tried getting as many different sounds and timbres out of the guitars as possible, taking from old fuzzy blues bands to 90's shoegaze. It's a big smouldering pot of different styles but at its heart, we just wanted to write a solid rock album that might withstand some time thrown at it.
Do you have a favorite lyric on the album? If so, which one and why?
One of our favourite lyrics on the album,
"Starting tomorrow, I'll apologize.
Starting tomorrow, I won't tell no lies.
Starting tomorrow, I'll do exercise... but I probably won't.
Yeah, going under again."
You always have the best intentions for the day but sometimes life gets in the way. Going under again... that cold wave of depression that slowly creeps up on you like a rising tide and washes you away... you somehow swim back to shore only for the next wave to carry you away...again and again...
Now the album is out there - what next for you?
We miss playing shows. Since the pandemic it has been very difficult to get out there and share our music in a live setting. There's no substitute for the electricity and energy that humans in a room can generate. So come to a show and let's enjoy the album together!