INTERVIEW:
TGC
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MILLA from TGC has been speaking with me…
about the new single, ECG, and what its story is. I ask how TGC came together and how they craft and have that particular, unique sound – she talks about future plans and what it feels like getting kudos and acclaim from some big sources.
I was interested discovering how they became involved with the fundraising D.V.D./C.D. project, Hear Me Now, and whether there are tour dates coming up; if there are any rising artists we need to keep an eye out for – Milla ends the interview by selecting a great tune.
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Hi, guys. How are you? How has your week been?
We’ve had a great week, thanks! It’s been a long time since we’ve released new music, so it has been wonderful to reconnect with our audience. So far, the response has been lovely.
For those new to your music; can you introduce yourselves, please?
We are TGC - short for ‘The Green Children’. It’s just me (Milla) and Marlow writing and producing songs from the ground up. We are deeply inspired by story-telling, fantasy/sci-fi films and beautiful nature, like you can find in Norway where I’m from.
How did TGC come to be? When did you find one another?
We met at a school established by the great Beatle Paul McCartney – actually, in our very first songwriting class. I arrived late and Marlow was left without a partner. A moment of fate from which we never looked back after penning our first tune together.
ECG is your new single. Is there a story behind the song?
A lot of our songs stem from flowing improvisation in the studio and the music we create often dictates the lyrical content and mood of the song. So, with ECG, Marlow came up with most of the production and then I went immediately on the mic and sang my initial lyrical thoughts straight on the record. We have found that we make the purest music when we don’t spend too much time thinking over lyrics and subject matters before we get our initial impulses out.
You have very particular sound that is hard to compare to anyone. Do you take influence from other artists? What sort of music did you both grow up around?
We have a very broad taste in music but have always loved dreamy music that takes you away. These include classic artists like Fleetwood Mac, Eurythmics and Electronic artists like Røyksopp.
Big names in music journalism have backed your music and spread it far! How does it feel to get kudos from the likes of Rolling Stone?!
It is obviously very flattering. Our biggest joy has been finding an audience out there that genuinely seem to connect with our music. They often describe it in ways that are so accurate to our original intentions whilst making it. It goes to show how music contains a hidden depth that humans pick up on. It has been magical to see how people relate to us.
Tell me about the fundraising C.D./D.V.D., Hear Me Now, you released throughout Norway. How did that venture start and inspire you to raise money – from that work – for one of the first eye hospitals in Bangladesh?
We travelled to Bangladesh to visit the work of Grameen Bank, who are pioneers in micro-finance. This is the lending of small sums of money to women for the purpose of starting businesses. What we saw was incredibly powerful. Because of the work of the bank and its founder Prof. Muhammad Yunus, millions of women had become empowered and escaped severe poverty. It felt very natural for us to write a song in honour of their journey which then turned into subsequent trips and a music video shoot.
To our surprise, Prof. Yunus went on to win the Nobel Peace Prize and, with the video in place, we used it to raise as much money as possible for a new eye care hospital he was working on. The hospital helps people who have lost their sight due to cataracts and, because of its sustainable approach, two more hospitals have spawned from it. The credit is certainly not ours but it feels great that we could contribute.
What do you hope to achieve by the end of 2018?
Our biggest focus is just to make the greatest music and art we can; pushing ourselves and not accepting anything that we don’t absolutely love. What comes from it is a lesser focus at this point and not a major motivator for our creative flow.
Have you got a favourite memory from your time in music so far – the one that sticks in the mind?
I think meeting fans in person is always incredible. We have found people to be so loving and supportive, it is almost overwhelming. In a world where we always connect digitally, a personal interaction after a show makes music feel powerful and real again.
Which one album means the most to you would you say (and why)?
Every album and song is special in its own way because they reflect where you were as a person when they were written. I suppose our first album will always have a special place as it was the first time we produced everything ourselves, so were going out on a limb. It led to our direction ever since.
If you could support any musician alive today, and choose your own rider, what would that entail?
That is a tough question. We would say Enya but she never tours! Sure would be magical though.
Might we see some tour dates coming up? Where might we be able to catch you play?
Absolutely. We are working on that now and we will be touring in 2019 in Europe and the U.S. Hoping to announce show dates soon.
What advice would you give to new artists coming through?
To focus on the music and enjoying being creative. I am not sure focusing too much on success is a very complimentary component of a truly artistic life.
IN THIS PHOTO: Illenium
Are there any new artists you recommend we check out?
Discovered Illenium recently through our mutual P.R. Very cool stuff.
Do you get much time to chill away from music? How do you unwind?
We spend a lot of time in nature with no phones and no social media. It is so important to get into the body, since music can get quite heavy mentally. Lots of hikes and fresh air!
Finally, and for being a good sport; you can choose a song and I’ll play it here (not any of your music - I will do that).
Just heard this song; don’t know if it is new or old but it is very nice! Promises Ltd. - American Eyes
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