TAALIAH is a trailblazing musician, DJ, and producer known for her electrifying sound and introspective approach to music. Based in Glasgow, TAALIAH’s journey has been marked by a self-taught, fearless approach that led her from the local underground scene to an international stage. To celebrate the release of her latest album Gramarye in October, UNCLE collaborated with her to showcase the album’s artwork in prominent locations around her hometown of Glasgow as well as in London.
TAALIAH has been no stranger to carving her own path, having had to come up in the Glasgow underground scene and breaking through into a mainstay of the electronic genre. This new album reflects themes of glamour and resilience, while pushing genre limits with her fusion of hyperpop and industrial sounds. Her music doesn’t just speak to club culture in her hometown but the broader UK music scene.
Beyond music, TAALIAH shares insights into the challenges and expectations they face in the music industry, both personally and creatively. From her self-taught approach to navigating Glasgow’s vibrant club culture. As they look toward the future, TAALIAH offers a vision of authenticity, resilience, and artistic freedom, while reminding us that sometimes the next step is as simple as rest.
HOW DID THE NAME FOR YOUR LATEST RELEASE ‘GRAMARYE’ COME TO BE?
I encountered it in an essay by Terre Thamelitz exploring glamour and opulence in reference to transness.
WHAT CAN WE EXPECT FROM THE ALBUM?
Emotion.
HOW DOES IT DIFFER FROM PREVIOUS RELEASES?
Intent.
YOUR PREVIOUS DISCOGRAPHY TOUCHES ON THEMES OF IDENTITY, LOVE, AND SOCIAL ISSUES. HOW DID YOU BALANCE THE EMOTIONAL DEPTH WITH THE HIGH-ENERGY SOUND?
I don’t think they’re mutually exclusive elements. And truthfully, I think people attribute that to my music because of who I am rather than the content of the songs herself. People see marginalised identities create art and just inherently categorise it as political, even when said artist might not have even been thinking about those things when creating the work. For example, when I create a song about being working-class — that is just me creating work about my own experience. However, because that experience isn’t normalised in the music industry, it’s inherently consumed as a political message.
WHAT ROLE HAS MUSIC PLAYED IN YOUR LIFE?
An illuminating one.
HOW DO YOU NAVIGATE THE EXPECTATIONS PLACED ON YOU IN THE MUSIC INDUSTRY, BOTH MUSICALLY AND PERSONALLY?
I have a tremendous resistance to authority.
WHAT DO YOU THINK DRAWS YOU TO THIS SELF-TAUGHT APPROACH, AND HOW HAS IT INFLUENCED YOUR CREATIVE PROCESS?
I love figuring things out for myself. I believe it allows you to form your own pathways and ways of working – rather than be led down specific roads by people.
YOU’VE BEEN VOCAL ABOUT THE IMPORTANCE OF REPRESENTING MARGINALIZED COMMUNITIES THROUGH YOUR MUSIC. HOW DO YOU SEE YOUR ROLE AS BOTH AN ARTIST AND AN ACTIVIST EVOLVING IN THE FUTURE?
By living my life.
HOW DOES GLASGOW’S CREATIVE AND CLUB CULTURE INFLUENCE YOUR WORK AS BOTH A DJ AND PRODUCER? DO YOU THINK THE CITY OFFERS UNIQUE OPPORTUNITIES FOR EMERGING ARTISTS?
I think Glasgow makes things seem possible. It’s small enough for you to find yourself and experiment with new ways of working. There’s a real community-driven spirit entrenched within the city.
DOES THE CITY INSPIRE YOU OR INFLUENCE YOUR WORK?
No, I’m inspired by experience rather than environment.
WHAT IS YOUR FAVOURITE MUSIC HOTSPOT IN GLASGOW?
To buy records, I love searching around the Barras Market for little gems. For new records, definitely Assai Records. EXIT is doing really amazing things in terms of club spaces. Old Hairdressers and Stereo are my tried and true.
WHAT’S NEXT FOR YOU?
Rest.
HOW DO YOU WANT TO BE REMEMBERED MUSICALLY?
I wanna be a star, simple as that.
