Photo credit: EJ Visual’
Words by: Laviea Thomas
Tarian, which translates to “shield” in Welsh, is an exciting rising talent bridging the gap between indie folk and hip-hop. Ready to start anew, he is developing a sound that perfectly captures life’s dissonant woes alongside its sporadic highs.
Describing his style as “hip-hop with a singer-songwriter heart,” Tarian has spent the last few years crafting his musical persona. Tarian previously withheld his music from public consumption due to chronic self-doubt. Now, in 2024, he is reintroducing himself with a debut solo project that creates a space for his vulnerability to thrive.
“I’m a guy who hoarded his music for a long time because he didn’t think it was ready,” he tells CONE. Struggling with self-deprecating thoughts about his work, Tarian has embarked on a long journey to learn how to trust his music. “I feel that it’s ready now,” he confirms.
Before discovering his calling in alternative UK hip-hop, Tarian experimented with more somber, singer-songwriter material. His sound has since evolved, shaped by the journey his life has taken. He admits to having dabbled in heavier genres as well, noting, “I was in hardcore, metal bands when I was younger, too.”
In just his first few releases, Tarian demonstrated that his music knows no bounds. In May, he dropped his debut solo single, “Half Of Mine (Alizé),” a spinoff from his 2023 collaboration with Frankie Stew & Harvey Gunn. This solo rendition is filled with emotionally-charged lyrics, intricate piano melodies, and enchanting falsetto notes. Tarian describes it as “the genesis of a new musical life.”
Looking back to 2023, Brighton-based duo Frankie Stew & Harvey Gunn were seeking new artists to collaborate with on a track for their album The South’s Got Something To Say. After sharing his original demo of “Half Of Mine,” Tarian quickly found himself immersed in the writing and rehearsal process for the track with the duo. “It was quite surreal, because I was in Australia at the time. It went from ‘we’ve heard your song, we want to work with it’ to them showing me the finished project just a few weeks later,” he explains.
After the successful collaboration with Frankie Stew & Harvey Gunn, Tarian returned to the UK to concentrate on his music. “I naively thought it would be all up from there. In a way it was, but I expected it to open up more doors,” he recalls. “I had a few meetings with labels, but it was a much more complicated process than I’d imagined.”
A year later, Tarian released the solo rendition of “Half Of Mine (Alizé).” He describes the track as “a love song in mourning.” As he navigates the end of a difficult relationship, Tarian reveals feelings of guilt and shame, capturing the dark mental space he found himself in during that time. “The first verse is about the idea of meeting someone for the first time and having that instinctive spark. The second verse is about the end of a relationship where you feel like you know what’s about to happen,” he continues.
Since then, Tarian released his next follow-up track in September, “Come What May,” a laid-back song with tranquil production. Produced by the artist himself, the track was mixed by Ross Dorkin (Beatenberg) and mastered by Mike Zietsman.
For Tarian, the lead-up to releasing his latest singles has been a journey of overcoming fears of rejection. “I didn’t feel like it was ever the right time. I was afraid of releasing something that wasn’t perfect and that no one would care about,” he says. “As an artist, I feel this huge fear of making myself vulnerable.”
Sitting on years of demos from past projects, Tarian grappled not only with his fear of rejection but also with a constant feeling of “paralysis by analysis.” “I’m very cerebral and analytical about my work, but also quite emotional,” he explains.
Now in a more comfortable place with his work, Tarian is ready to move past his doubts and fully embrace his music career. Determined not to let genre limitations define his sound, he is focused on expanding his reach and showcasing the music he has been quietly crafting.
Officially launching his TikTok account at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, Tarian has since built a fanbase of over 10,000 followers. Some of his posts have garnered impressive attention, amassing more than 1.5 million views on his unique covers and teasers of his songwriting projects. “In a way, my TikTok is a soft launch for people to invest in me,” he shares. “I’d love for people to love my voice and my songwriting. I use it as a vehicle to promote my music but I also love covering songs,” he says.
Having spent his teenage years struggling with social anxiety and the complexities of self-analysis and overthinking, Tarian feels most comfortable expressing exactly how he feels through the piano. “Piano will always be a staple part of my music,” he says. “The songs I write are quite intimate, so it feels fitting to have the piano on them. My music talks about being that quiet kid.”
He continues, “I’ve always felt that I was a sensitive person in quite a hard world. So, I developed a thick armor to mask that—which explains the name, Tarian—aka a shield. I’m always combining the two parts of my personality in my music: the soft and childlike youthfulness through my singer-songwriter tones and the weathered, rough part of me through hip-hop.”
Moving forward, Tarian is focused on staying humble. “I’m not bothered about being super famous. I just want to connect with a core audience of people who can relate to what I’m talking about,” he says. On the rise with a range of new releases, Tarian is working toward building an earnest fanbase that he can connect with on a deeper level. “Even though what I’m singing and writing about is personal, it’s also universal: loneliness, relationships, mental health,” he adds.
Tarian also shares his hopes of heading out on tour. “I’d love to connect with people and grow my fanbase that way,” he says. “I don’t want to be too online. I want to be present.” One thing is certain: Tarian’s transparency in his music is a breath of fresh air and is bound to be an empowering experience live.