This time, we get to know TANTON, AKA Connor Tanton, guitarist, singer, and producer, from Canada. With influences ranging from The Eagles to Arctic Monkeys, his style is a blend of something modern yet with all those classic rock vibes.
The track "Genoa Bay (I Can’t Complain)" is featured in the New Artist Spotlight Family of Playlists and is reminiscent of some of the big bands of 90s brit-pop, Supergrass, Ash, and Ocean Color Scene, among others.
Link To New Artist Spotlight Playlists:
1. Tell us a little about where you are from and what you are currently doing.
I’m originally from the Cowichan Valley, Vancouver Island. I just finished my degree at Western University in London, Ontario, and am currently perusing all musical opportunities.
2. What inspired you to start playing and making music?
My father was definitely a huge influence, he was a guitarist and a working musician for a long time before I was born. He continued playing as a hobbyist for my entire childhood and it instilled a love and understanding of the instrument as a tool of expression.
My uncle was a great stand-up bass player, and all-around great musician, so I’ve always had great musicians to look up to.
𝟯. Who are your biggest influences?
Led Zeppelin, the strokes, my morning jacket, thin Lizzie, the eagles, the sheepdogs, the arctic monkeys, cream
4. What are your goals in the music industry?
To keep making music and improving my craft with each project. I would love to be able to tour and perform live and connect with fans and other musicians.
5. Tell us about your creative process when you make new music.
I usually wait for inspiration to strike me. Sometimes I’ll be sitting in bed or on a walk and I’ll think of an idea, a melody, a hook, or a funky rhythm. Then it’s just a matter of getting that idea down and the song kind of writes itself from there.
6. What is your all-time favorite song?
Hotel California - The Eagles. Overplayed? Yes. Cliche? Maybe. One of the greatest rock songs of all time? Definitely. What strikes me the most about the eagles is their arrangements, vocal harmonies, and of course the genius of Don “fingers” Felder.
7. What is the best advice or council you have either given or received in terms of music?
I believe the most important thing is to believe in yourself and your work, to be proud of it, and truly love it. And to do that you have to put your heart into the work, so it's got to be about the music.
8. Proudest accomplishment?
I picked up a guitar and started seriously trying to teach myself how to play in 2017. At that time I couldn't have dreamt that in 5 years I would have 18 songs, thousands of streams, and a community of 500+ monthly listeners who enjoy and share my music. It is an honor and a privileged to contribute to the rich tapestry that is the history of music.
9. What is something about you that might surprise someone who knows you the best?
I typically have a little bit of performance anxiety when doing things under high pressure, looking back at sports, it definitely weighed on me then. Performing music for the first time I was nervous it would be the same. Instead, it was the best rush I’ve ever felt.
𝟭0. Tell us about your highest and lowest points in music so far.
During college, I was living in a house with my previous band (Fair Warning). It was pretty awesome playing together every day in the house, writing and recording music in our rented storage locker, and playing at college parties. Awesome year.
The low point probably was what followed, people move away and situations change and the band dissolved.
That really pushed me to learn more about production and arrangements to be able to compose and record songs by myself, which has brought me to the point I’m at now, where I’m loving the process, and the end products I’m able to create!
Stream "Genoa Bay (I Can’t Complain)" now
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Good to ‘meet’ you, Connor!
Great to get to know you a bit, Tanton. Can't wait to hear your music.