TATUM

PHOTOGRAPHY BY DANÉ MATTHYSEN
WEBSITE: www.facebook.com/home.php?#/pages/Tatum/45257688488?ref=ts
COUNTRY: South Africa STYLE: Rock

FROM AN OUTSIDE PERSPECTIVE THERE WAS TAKE 2 (LELANI & LEANDI) AND THEN ALL OF A SUDDEN THERE WAS A NEW SONG TITLED “THE PARADE” ON THE BELLVILLE ROCK CITY COMPILATION BY A BAND CALLED TATUM. WHY THE DECISION TO MOVE ON TO A NEW SOUND AND HOW DID EVERYONE GET INVOLVED WITH THE PROJECT?

While performing as a duet the back-up band was current members, Werner von Waltsleben (Drummer) and Christiaan Blom (Guitarist). We started writing new material as a team and as musicians we evolved a lot since Take2 and with a new sound came a new band name and image. Albert from Rhythm Records approached us to do the track for the Bellville Rock City compilation. They saw it as a great opportunity and platform to introduce TATUM to the local music scene.

YOUR FIRST SINGLE “THE PARADE” HAS A “HARD ROCK” VIBE BUT IT IS STILL “COMMERCIAL” ENOUGH TO ATTRACT A WIDE AUDIENCE. IS THAT THE KIND OF DIRECTION THAT YOU WOULD LIKE TO CONTINUE WITH MUSICALLY OR ARE YOU PLANNING TO EXPERIMENT WITH OTHER INFLUENCES AS WELL?

We wrote "The Parade" specifically for the album. It was meant to have that Hard Rock kick in the balls kinda vibe. As a band we are experimenting a lot! Since we all have different taste in music there’s a wide variety of influences in our music.

BEING SIGNED TO RHYTHM RECORDS MUST HAVE ITS ADVANTAGES BUT I MUST KNOW HOW MUCH SAY THEY HAVE WHEN IT COMES TO THE MUSIC THAT THE BAND WRITES. ARE YOU REALLY “FREE” TO WRITE “ANYTHING” WHEN IT COMES TO WRITING NEW SONGS?

At the moment were not signed to any label, we have a good relationship with Rhythm Records and everyone there but we'd like to stay independent for now. We can't elaborate too much yet but we have plans on how we are going to release an EP and what TATUM'S next steps are.

HOW DOES THE BAND USUALLY WRITE SONGS?

It depends, one of us would have an idea for a song, either we'd have a riff or a vocal melody and from there everything just comes naturally. We would get together for a full rehearsal or a little writing session at a member's house and so on. It's always a team effort and it works great.

WITH TWO VOCALISTS IN THE BAND THAT HAVE THE SAME VOCAL CAPABILITIES HOW DO YOU DECIDE WHO SINGS WHAT BECAUSE IT IS NOT LIKE METAL WHERE YOU USUALLY HAVE THE ONE GUY JUST DOING SCREAMS AND THE OTHER PERSON DOING ALL THE SINGING?

We have different ranges. We've been singing together for more than 10 years so it just comes naturally if that makes sense haha. Mostly one would sing the main vocal and the other the harmony and then it just falls into place.

A RECENT POST ON FACEBOOK SAYING “TATUM HAS SOME AWESOME NEW UPDATES ON THE WAY! NEW TRACKS COMING SOON!” ARE YOU GUYS PLANNING TO RELEASE A FEW MORE SINGLES AND THEN AN EP OR ALBUM?

There are definitely some new tracks on the way. People can expect a whole different vibe from what they've heard before. Some new songs have a dance feel to it but you can rock out to it at the same time! Everything feels great and we can't wait to share it with our fans. We’re really excited to get into the studio again and to release the EP.

I WON’T ATTEMPT TO GET AN ANSWER OUT OF THE BAND ABOUT THE PART OF THE NEW UPDATES BUT IT CERTAINLY SEEMS LIKE YOU HAVE A LOT OF GOALS THAT YOU WOULD LIKE TO ACHIEVE WITH THIS BAND?

The main focus now is getting into the studio and lining up some big shows which we're really amped about. We'd really like to make our mark on the local scene but were definitely thinking bigger :)

THE BAND HAS PERFORMED IN AND AROUND CAPE TOWN FOR A WHILE, ANY PLANS TO PERFORM IN OTHER PARTS OF THE COUNTRY ANY TIME SOON; OR IS IT NOT JUST AS EASY AS LOADING YOUR GEAR AND HITTING THE ROAD?

We got a lot of requests to come play in Johannesburg. We're planning a BIG tour after the EP release. Much more bigger than David Hasselhoff is in Germany. We wanna play everywhere from Cape Town right through to Namibia, Johannesburg, Potchefstroom etc.

HAVING ONLY ONE GUITARIST, HOW DOES THE BAND MANAGE TO KEEP THAT “ENERGY” IN YOUR SONGS GOING IN A LIVE ENVIRONMENT OR IS THAT WHERE A GOOD BASS GUITARIST COMES IN?

We're busy experimenting with new sounds. The twins will also be playing instruments on stage from now on. We are going to use a much bigger variety of instruments. People can expect something totally different from us! ;)

IF I REMEMBER RIGHT THE BAND DID A FEW ACOUSTIC SHOWS AS WELL A WHILE BACK. WERE THEY FUN TO DO OR DOES NOTHING BEAT PLAYING A “NORMAL” SHOW WITH THE LOUD AMPS AND ALL THAT?

We love playing acoustic shows. It's a totally different vibe from our electric set. No shit haha. It's nice to slow things down a bit. We definitely want to do a lot of acoustic shows all over and to make it a regular thing.

HOW MUCH PREPARATION GOES INTO YOUR LIVE SHOWS, AND ARE THERE CERTAIN ASPECTS OF YOUR LIVE PERFORMANCE THAT YOU WOULD LIKE TO “IMPROVE”?

We're heavy into the live element of being a band. We are all live music kinda people. We can't explain how it feels to be up on stage and playing music. That 40 minutes or hour is the best thing ever. It's important for us to always put everything we have into our live performances and give the fans what they want.

I KNOW WERNER (DRUMS) GIVES DRUM LESSONS; DO YOU THINK YOU’LL ALWAYS BE INVOLVED WITH MUSIC IN SOME WAY AS TIME GOES ON?

Music is definitely a huge part of our lives. There's nothing stopping us...maybe individual projects in the future, who knows. We'll always be involved with music!

ANY COMMENTS; THINGS FANS SHOULD LOOK OUT FOR OR PEOPLE YOU WOULD LIKE TO THANK?

We would like to thank all our fans, families and friends for all the support!
We also want to thank Matt Stone and Trey Parker for creating South Park! Hell yeah!

Keep a look out for gig dates and an EP on the way!

Thanx everyone.
Be safe!