Canadian producer, singer-songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist Tasneem has unveiled a video for her new single, “All Your Cousins”.
“All Your Cousins started out as a love song, and I wanted to write about what it felt like to fall in love with someone who understands you culturally. You know there’s a depth and weight especially in immigrant communities that surrounds the notion of family ties. Then it turned into this Revolutionary cry and the song lyrics shifted to what matters to me most and that’s freedom, but falling in love is always a great muse in itself.”
Check out the video below, and find out more about Tasneem via our Four Questions With segment.
Care to introduce yourself to our readers?
Bonjour my name is Tasneem I am a multi-disciplinary artist with a focus on music, writing, and acting. I’m a singer-songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, ( piano saxophone, and guitar ), and producer. I’ve been a vegetarian since I was a teenager. My latest quarantine obsession is remixing my previously released tunes under the moniker Iranian Girlfriend. I was born in Guelph, grew up in the US and a couple of years ago returned to my Ontario Roots. I’m currently living in Toronto, and I’m always cold.
Tell us a bit about your music and writing style.
My music and writing style has changed over the years. I started out fronting a rock band and my approach to songwriting was a bit more aggressive. My process was regurgitative in nature meaning I would sit down to write, and a song would just pour out of me in 5 minutes. I also preferred to write alone. I take my time now, sometimes working on a song for weeks and I appreciate collaboration more. My sound has softened since those rock n roll days which I love. I find myself being drawn to writing more ballads, and oftentimes my preference is sparse production.
If you were asked to suggest only one of your songs for someone to hear, which would it be?
If I had to suggest one song off the bat I’d say All Your Cousins, but if I took a deeper dive I’d tell you to check out Goth Angeles it’s my favorite.
Canadian Beats is all about Canadian music, so who are your current favourite Canadian bands/ artists?
My current Canadian faves are some real Legends the incredible Lido Pimienta, brilliant songwriter Daniel Cesar. The last concert I saw before the shutdown was Jeremy Dutcher. I love Jeremy’s music and voice so much. Local Toronto fave is my friend and incredible Artist Estyr. I recently discovered TiKA whose music I adore. I’m really inspired by A Tribe Called Red lately. I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention Joni Mitchell I listen to her all the time. Her songs never get old. Is Broken Social Scene reading this? We’re ready for a new album !!!!