An Inspired Chat with Talaya. of South Seattle

Talaya. shared their story and experiences with us recently and you can find our conversation below.

Hi Talaya., thank you so much for taking time out of your busy day to share your story, experiences and insights with our readers. Let’s jump right in with an interesting one: What are you most proud of building — that nobody sees?
I have had the honor and privilege of helping first-time artists begin their career’s. In real life it would be considered, artist management or consulting. But for now I call it being a dream-making “friendager”. I pass on the knowledge I’ve learned through trial and error, like learning how to find, license, and locate instrumentals, producers, and musicians. To uploading their songs for the first time, with rollout strategies, scheduling rehearsals and learning how to produce sets for live shows. There is so very much, that happens behind the scenes that no one sees. It can be grueling work with the latest nights and earliest morning, (its 4am as I’m writing this) to having to work with extremely creative but sometimes unorganized service providers in the music industry. For example, you try to send out files early on, but the person that needs them still waits to try them out during the session or rehearsal, and you have to drop your plans to fix what could’ve been reviewed and approved when you had the time. Or the slightest miscommunication, (it being the worst when it’s on you) throwing off an entire meticulously planned day, which can make or break many things. It can erode trust, cause resentment, burn out, and more! But what brings me back is always, always the music. When we get into the creative work during our sessions there’s this magic that melts away the frustration, making it all worth it. When an artist says to me, “I spoke up for myself and it was totally worth it. I’m so happy with the agreement we came to, thanks for the encouragement,” its easy to forget that its work. Until its the end of a 14 hour day and you have to submit paperwork to make a deadline!

Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
 Hi my name is Talaya.! I am a 26 year-old, self-taught former Pre-Professional Rhythm tap dancer-turned Vocalist and Recording Engineer. I currently am a Vocal Recording and Production, Mixing and Mastering Engineer, and Artist Consultant. I also perform live, direct a 30-voice Women’s Choir at my church, and have been a recurring Sound Off! Mentor at The Museum of Pop Culture for 3 years. I have had the honor of opening for eclectic acts like Blk Odyssey (Barboza), Rexx Life Raj, Braxton Cook, Keke Wyatt, S.O.S Band with Maze and Janelle Monaé. And been fortunate to sing background for legendary Talent like Fred Hammond, Kelontae Gavin, Crystal Aikin, and Todd Dulaney. I have had multiple headlining shows at venues across the PNW like The Royal Room, Clockout Lounge, Hotel Crocodile, Cafe Racer, Madame Lou’s and Kam Chancelor/Richard Sherman’s Legion Lounge to name a few. In addition to playing classical venues like The Kennedy Center, McCaw Hall, Benaroya Hall, The Moore Theatre and The Paramount Theatre over the years and across disciplines. I’ve been blessed to play major festivals like Capitol Hill Block Party at Barboza in 2023 and many Seattle Center Folklife’s over time. When I’m not immersed in music, or busy “friendager-ing” you can find me painting my signature colorful negative space designs, or bedazzling my merch and bead-weaving coasters. I am humbled to support new, Local, National, Grammy Award Winning, and Internationally acclaimed artists alike with my unique blend of Gospel, Soul, RnB and technical prowess.

I am currently working on two EP’s! one is an Rnb Love oriented project with multiple producers, and the other is a more Hip-Hop/Neo Soul/Multi Genre project that i’m making with an incredible producer named mr martellz from Tacoma Washington.

Great, so let’s dive into your journey a bit more. What did you believe about yourself as a child that you no longer believe?
I remember in the 3rd grade I got a report from my teacher whom I really loved, Mrs. De Leon. She was always encouraging us to really think and form our own opinions about the texts we read, and scenarios we were studying. But one day, she wrote on my report card that I was “bossy” and that I talked too much. Which was true! But, it still stung. I realize now that I talked so much because I was on 50 mg of adderall, one of three black girls in my class (culturally) and talking is still how I process my thoughts. I love to ask questions, and discuss the subject as new information arises. I’m “bossy” because I have intense pattern recognition. I have what’s called an Echoic Memory, which is like a photographic memory but with sounds! So that means, music, words, conversations, scenarios, and even certain contexts. I get Deja vu a lot! So I see what I think is going to happen, and try to share the optimal plan of action with others. But I have learned that there is a time and place for everything. Sometimes it’s others’ turn to lead and you have to simply contribute what is being asked of you. There are also ways to be helpful without stepping on toes, or being rude/overly assertive. And I think that’s the nuance that I didn’t have before, that as an adult I now posses.

When did you last change your mind about something important?
A month ago, I decided to really take my walk with God even more serious. Of course I’m a director, church girl etc so I’m always praying and talking to God, listening to Gospel Music and sermons and just keeping Jesus on my mind. But I decided to be even more intentional and start reading my bible more often, and made some lifestyle changes that weren’t helping me in the way they used to. Honestly it was hard. I literally didn’t want to make the change because I was stuck in survivor mode for the past few years. But it felt like insanity, doing the same thing, struggling with the same result. I almost convinced myself that maybe singing wasn’t my “main thing” and that maybe I should just lean into other creative endeavors more as I was losing the joy I once had in it. But what I realized was that I was simply avoiding the inevitable. I saw a video online that said “Your voice is directly attached to someone’s healing and breakthrough”. That sealed the deal for me. I realized it wasn’t about me, or how I felt moment to moment. I had to also assess what I was feeling that led me to the choices that were ultimately harming me. and change my actions to align with who I want to be in this chapter. What I learned it that I have this trauma response that causes me to attempt at controlling everything. How I feel, how I present, and how things go around me. I really had to let that go to be healthier, more balanced, and trusting even more in the God I’m claiming to serve. There have been ups and downs, and it doesn’t help that I’m really hard-headed. But I’m really grateful for grace. And that God has allowed me to restart as many times as I’ve needed, to get it right.

I think our readers would appreciate hearing more about your values and what you think matters in life and career, etc. So our next question is along those lines. What important truth do very few people agree with you on?
I wouldn’t say that it’s very few people, but I truly believe that none of us are free until we are all free. I don’t think that politics is just a buzz word we use to avoid talking about hard things. It’s how real people like you and me, are affected by the unjust systems set in place to allow some people to hoard, and others to go without their basic needs. The business of human suffering and exploitation is extremely profitable, and the moment we understand the game that’s being played right under our noses, the sooner we can move toward collective liberation. With how much we’ve regressed though, just in the past 10 months unfortunately, I don’t think we’ll see that in our lifetime. And honestly, maybe even ever. I think humans will take and destroy one another until there is nothing left. Denying and lying every step of the way to avoid having to care about others. However it will be difficult to avoid for much longer. This country is rotting once again from the core. Like an aggressive cancer that returns, and soon we won’t be able to say it’s just a spot.

Thank you so much for all of your openness so far. Maybe we can close with a future oriented question. If immortality were real, what would you build?
I would build affordable housing, farms with the best quality foods that would be very inexpensive for consumers, I would end all wars, build systems and tech that help to further and improve the human condition. I would make 3 day work weeks, schooling where kids spend most of their time being creative and learning real world skills, 2 year paid maternity leave, free everything for veterans, disabled people, and children. And a society that rids itself of selfish evil but putting all the evil people on an island together where they can do weird stuff with one another and play trickle down economics. lol and create a system where they can choose to be better and come back to society. Actual rehabilitation, no prisons.

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Image Credits
Raul Alaris, Zofia Beck Anchondo, Dajane Tulis

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