Check The Notes with TAVN

Welcome back, welcome back. I want to introduce you to TAVN, a rising songbird ready to take flight in the industry. Her debut single “Overdue” was enough to make me a fan but her light sparked an organic friendship. Since I’ve known TAVN, two things have always been true: Love pushes her pen and God fuels the fire in her spirit. With Buffalo, NY on her shoulders, she’s eager for the world to know her story through every melody. I know I say it all the time but it is truly an honor to have an artist like TAVN stop through The Melodic Note but the opportunity is that much sweeter when you can be a part of someones journey from the beginning. Without further ado—

We like to start from the beginning here - TAVN, who is she and when did she discover her gift? I was born and raised on the east side of Buffalo, NY. I knew I had a gift at a very young age and mostly discovered that gift at my home church Good Samaritan COGIC singing in the choir and praise team. My great grandmother and her sisters had a group called “The Young Sisters,” and they would travel all over and sing gospel. My great grandmother also had an organ in her living room and I would sit with her and just study and listen. My great grandmother is a big inspiration for me when it comes to music.

Tell me a little bit about your backyard. What’s the vibe like? Buffalo is definitely a dope city; it has its pros and cons but every city does. Everyone in the black community knows everyone. I grew up an only child but I was fortunate to have close cousins my age who are my world. When it comes to food, I’m convinced that we are one of the best places in America. I would recommend Park Vue for soul food, Buffalo Kitchen Club for the ultimate vibes and the 416 when you need some good eats, dope music and a mature crowd.

I think the regions were raised in play a big part in how musicians shape their sound. Were you inspired by any of the local artists in Buffalo growing up? If so, how are those pieces showing up in your music today? Growing up around the people I did really shaped my listening ear when it came to music. My dad would listen to Jeezy, Nas, Jadakiss and Mary J Blige. My mom would listen to Keyshia Cole, Jamie Fox, The Dream and Jay Z. I also grew up listening to Anita Baker, Charlie Wilson, Kem, Lalah Hathaway, and Jill Scott thanks to my aunt and nana. Growing up in a church family, I would always hear Kirk Franklin, Kim Burell,The Clark Sisters, Smokie Norful and more. When I started to discover music on my own that's when I was introduced to Beyoncé, Destiny's Child, Nat King Cole, Nipsey Hussle and Micheal Jackson who have all greatly impacted my love for music.

Overdue is one hell of a debut single. How much of that record is written about a personal experience? Overdue was created to close a chapter with an ex. I was in a transition stage and I just wanted to heal and release what I was dealing with. I was happy with what came out of that session. I recorded at Gallery Studio’s in Buffalo which is owned by Carel, who is one of the dopest artists in Buffalo. He helped me get all my thoughts together and we finished the song in one night.

Describe the feeling of hearing Overdue out in public for the first time? Hearing Overdue made me the absolute happiest. I felt so proud to finally release a record and give my audience the music they've been asking for. To finally take music seriously was a blessing and it made me feel seen for my creativity. I’m extremely grateful for the amount of love I’m still shown to this day for Overdue.

What’s bringing you joy these days? It brings me joy when I reflect on the woman I have grown into over the past year and the peace I now have in my life. I'm the happiest I've been in a while and I owe it all to God and my cousins. Without them, I do not know where I would be.

There aren't enough fire emojis in my phone to describe how fire the new single is. You displayed a sophisticated and softer side of your artistry, which fans will absolutely enjoy. Were there any changes in the creative process from Overdue to Lonely? I'm so glad you love it as much as I do, everyone who I have let take a listen has kept asking me over and over to drop it already. Lonely comes out December 2nd, it has such a completely different vibe from Overdue and truth be told I was in a totally different head space when creating Lonely. Overdue is very straightforward and in your face lyrically while Lonely is a lot softer and more vulnerable, I really feel like this is my best song yet. Lonely is about a personal experience I had with a guy that I really liked and I would find myself missing him alot so I thought I should write about it. During this time I had a bad case of writer's block and I hadn’t released any music since April when Overdue came out, but I heard the lyrics in my head and just started writing. It features an amazing artist from Newburgh named Chief Armand, we connected through TikTok and I heard a song of his called “FWU” and immediately fell in love with his sound. Chief Armand is an amazing artist, his sound fits so perfectly with the record; he brought that NY old school rap I was in love with as a kid. I’m excited for everyone to hear what we’ve created.

When fans think of Tavn, as an artist, what’s one thing you hope comes to mind? A real RnB artist, an artist who really loves what she does and wants to connect with every person that her music touches. I want people to feel me in every aspect of a song, it's all about what touches the mind, heart and soul for me. I also wanna be an artist who really puts on for the city of Buffalo, we have so much talent and I feel like it needs to be showcased more.

How does Tavn define success in her career? I would define my success as whatever platform God wants me to have, he will supply the endless opportunities, I just have to keep my eye on him and put the work in.

What’s been the most fulfilling part of your journey so far? The love and support has been the most fulfilling, knowing that people love my music and can't wait to hear what's next is incredible, that's what keeps pushing me to keep creating the most.

How would you describe Taven’s taste in music? I would say my music taste is all about feelings, love and what my soul feels. I'm a hopeless romantic who loves love so deeply, so when I listen to music, it’s music that has meaning and a feeling behind it. My music taste is definitely a old soul kind of feel with a hint of new school.

I know you’re moving as an independent artist right now but what’s one thing you’d love to change about the industry? If I could change the industry, I would have them move on my terms. If I do ever sign to a label, I want the deal to be made by me. I always thought if labels think that artists are creative enough to be on their brand, why shouldn't we have full control over how we let the world hear and see us?

I’ve noticed you often posting about God and Love, how do those ingredients play into the foundation of your music? God is my end all be all. He has changed my life drastically for the better in the past year and I couldn't give anyone credit besides Him. God will always be my lead and my faith will always remain strong. I'm never scared to show much I love God and having him by my side I understand that I can do anything. I’ll always show God the honor he deserves.

Are there any rising artists out of Buffalo that you’d love to collaborate with in the near future? One local artist I would love to work with is Labrina, she's a talented r&b artist, and she is making a change in the industry. I definitely can see us on a record in the future.

Are there any dream producers you’d love to lock in with in the future? Maybe a Darkchild, Jermaine Dupri or Babyface? Oh my gosh yes!! I am currently manifesting working with Eric Bellinger, DMile, Pharrell, The Dream, and Metro Boomin.

From the editor: From the bottom of my heart, thank you for helping me make The Melodic Note a home for all things R&B— I hope you’ve enjoyed the conversation with TAVN. All that’s left is for you to check out her music and a little bit of what’s on her personal playlist. Also, keep an eye out for TAVN’s new single “Lonely”, set to drop on December 2nd.

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