“I found that writing music from an instrument I have a limited knowledge of, created a set of constraints that allowed for interesting outcomes,” says singer-songwriter Tarang Joseph. Known for his innovative approach to music, Tarang recently released ‘Take Me Away,’ the lead single from his forthcoming four-track EP. In a candid conversation from his studio in Bengaluru, he delved into the creative process behind his latest musical endeavor.
“I grew up on music from the 80s; my mom loved ABBA, Boney M, and Michael Jackson, which were always playing at our house. As much as I enjoyed them, I never seriously explored that genre myself,” Tarang reminisces. “Then, about a year and a half ago, I discovered artistes creating house music with a disco influence and really liked what I heard.”
This exploration reignited his interest in dance music. “I began listening to Silk Sonic by Bruno Mars and Anderson .Paak — their ability to reintroduce the 70s in a fresh way caught my attention,” he says. His curiosity led him to delve into the origins and evolution of disco, sparking a desire to embark on a disco project himself. “It’s such a fun genre; I wanted to create something with a clear structure for the first time in my career,” he adds.
Tarang’s usual approach to songwriting—where he starts composing and lets the music take shape organically—shifted with this project. “Previously, I never had a clear vision. I would essentially ‘wing it’ and see where it landed. But with experience, I realized the method of creation heavily influences the final product,” he explains. This time, he made a conscious effort to experiment with a new songwriting style.
“I’m primarily a pianist, and that’s how I usually begin my songs. This time, I decided to challenge myself by starting with instruments I wasn’t as familiar with,” Tarang says. “Writing from the piano is second nature to me, which often leads to overcomplicating things. So, I opted to craft a disco EP focusing mainly on drums and bass vibes, which brought a whole new dimension to my music.”
The result of this experimentation is Tarang’s latest EP, ‘Liquid Sunshine.
.’ “Today’s house music often merges disco elements with electronic sounds. I wanted to incorporate live instrumentation alongside disco influences for a unique sound, and I’m genuinely pleased with how it turned out,” he reflects.
Discussing the collaborative nature of this project, Tarang mentions, “When I say ‘we,’ I’m referring to bassist Surya Kalyanaraman, guitarist Adesh Vinod, and drummer Shourjo Chatterjee. Usually, I work solo, but this time, a band joined me. Working alone can get lonely and monotonous,” he laughs. The collaboration not only enhanced his sound but also created memorable experiences.
One such experience was their performance at Bengaluru’s Under-25 Summit. “We had a couple of unfinished projects from early 2023. When we were given a 4 pm slot at the Summit, a time notorious for low turnouts, Adesh suggested we use the opportunity to finish those songs with the band,” Tarang recounts. Over the next three days, they worked intensively to complete the tracks, with Surya co-writing ‘Take Me Away.’
“The day before the Summit, we learned our slot was moved to 7 pm, right after an interview with actor Abhay Deol, which drew a significant crowd. It was nerve-wracking but exciting,” Tarang recalls. They kicked off their set with Bruno Mars’ ‘Locked Out of Heaven,’ which bolstered the audience’s energy and anticipation.
“I’ve never experienced such a phenomenal crowd response before!” Tarang exclaims, his excitement palpable. Despite ‘Take Me Away’ being finalized just the night before, the audience sang along enthusiastically, affirming the songs’ live appeal.
Beyond the music, Tarang’s fondness for the 80s influenced the project’s visual aesthetic as well. “I love the fashion and culture of that era. We intentionally shot our music videos for Instagram reels as a homage to that time, but with a twist—it’s a tribute to India’s disco movement rather than New York’s,” he explains.
‘Take Me Away’ is now available on all streaming platforms, marking a significant milestone in Tarang Joseph’s musical journey. As the disco beats reverberate through Bengaluru, the young artist’s innovative spirit and collaborative efforts herald an auspicious future for his musical explorations.
