Kimberley songstress Tanya Ransom creates soulful folk music sculpted and shaped by the rugged wilderness of WA's sparsely settled, northernmost region.
Tanya released her debut album 'It Is What It Is' in 2013, immediately garnering attention and acclaim across the industry for her natural talent with words and melodies.
After the success of her debut, Tanya released her sophomore album 'The Art Of Departing' last year; a lamenting collection of songs that earned her several WAMAward nominations in 2017. This year, Tanya finds herself nominated for the Best Regional Act at the WAMAwards.
After 'It Is What It Is', how did you approach writing and recording 'The Art Of Departing’?
It had been a few years since releasing 'It Is What It Is' when I started to think about recording the next album. I already had some strong songs I knew would make the cut and deciding to record again gave me a renewed energy in my songwriting. I’d not long joined I Heart Songwriting Club, an amazing online community of songwriters.
In the club you’re given a songwriting task each week with a theme and guideline, and you’re to spend only an hour to smash out as much of a song as possible. This was a game changer for me. Oh, and I also took myself on a songwriting retreat to Bali for a week and locked myself away in a gorgeous Airbnb till I had enough songs to finish the album.
How had your songwriting and playing evolved between the two albums?
I’d been performing and touring a lot in the time between recordings. That was almost four years, so my writing was maturing, alongside my age – ha! Also, from experiences and challenges during that time; heartbreak can do wonders if you’re a songwriter.
My musical style changed a little in that time too. I’d been listening to a lot of Ryan Adams. 'It Is What It Is' was more folk and roots compared to 'The Art Of Departing', which leans a little towards Americana.
Have you been happy with the response to 'The Art Of Departing'?
Yes. I’ve felt super happy with the feedback from this album. I had one of the tracks ‘Here and Now’ nominated for a WAM Song Of The Year. I love that people feel a connection to these songs as much as I do.
Congratulations on your WAM Awards nomination for Best Regional Act; what would winning this award mean to you?
I would be extremely grateful. It’s awesome just being nominated when there are so many amazing regional musicians in WA. You get that warm fuzzy feeling that your peers and other industry folk have had the thought to even nominate you. That’s pretty good.
If you win, how will you be celebrating?
I think I’d indulge in an espresso martini or three.
Are you performing anywhere as part of WAMFest Live?
I do have a Perth show that weekend although it’s not an official WAMFest gig. I’ll be playing a Songwriter Showcase presented by I Heart Songwriting Club alongside Helen Shanahan and Francesca De Valence. It’s the first West Australian I Heart Songwriting Showcase. Sunday 4th November, Four5Nine Bar, 1-4pm.
Being from such a remote part of the state, what support did WAM provide to assist your career development?
WAM have been a great support for me since I started playing in my first bands. That’s also the first time I met Nigel who is the Regional Officer and he’s always been an advocate for my music. Recently I attended their Music Managers Workshop which was another game changer for me as a self-managed artist.
Where else can people see/ hear you perform over the following months?
I’ve got a couple of Perth shows end of November. Then early 2019 you’ll find me touring throughout WA, Tassie and Victoria. If you can’t make a live show then you can find me on all the socials and web.
The best part about being a WA musician is...
The music community and family!
Are you working on any new music?
Yes! Super-excited to be heading back in the studio in the new year and recording some new songs which will be released throughout 2019.
