Dark Tala blends classic and modern alternative influences, crafting a sound that’s both nostalgic and fresh. Their debut single, Waking Up, delivers a powerful message of empowerment, transformation, and resilience.
1. Dark
Tala is described as a product of both classic and modern alternative music.
Can you tell us how the band came together and what inspired the name
"Dark Tala"?
The writing and vision for Dark Tala is spearheaded by our lead singer Dans,
who has shifted around within the different styles of the Melbourne music scene
for the last decade. Dans has a long history of writing and performing in so
many different styles, it gives a really fresh take on the music that we make.
It’s clearly steeped in the tropes and cliches that pioneered metal and
alternative music, yet it’s still so refreshing and exciting to play. We’ve all
had a love for metal, rock, and alternative music having grown up with it, so
taking our music knowledge and applying it to the sounds we grew up with feels
effortless. The name “Dark Tala” is based on the Filipino deity of the stars
“Tala” - paying homage to Dans’ cultural roots, as well as representing the
symbolism of a Dark Star. We wanted to have a name that was grounded in
tradition and meaning, as well as a name that represented our music.
2. Your sound draws influence from legends like Rage Against the Machine,
System of a Down, and Evanescence, but how would you personally describe your
own unique musical identity?
We like to consider ourselves as post-emo, or post-alt. We liken our sound
mostly to that of the post-nirvana 90s-2000s sounds, and take influence from
both decades. It’s a bit heavy, a bit emo, but always with intention. We look
up to artists like Tool, RATM, and Sleep Token that have real intention and
purpose behind their music - and we aim to do the same. We don’t lean so hard
into the trap sound that we hear in a lot of the contemporary emo/alternative
that is popular now, feeling a bit more nostalgic for the more organic sounds
of the late 90s. But like all bands, we can see our sound evolving, who knows
what is to come.
3. Waking Up is described as both a funeral and a rebirth. Can you dive into
what that means to you and the themes behind the song?
Waking Up was chosen as our first single because it best represents the
messaging that is to come. Dark Tala in itself is a representation of Alchemy -
the “Dark Star” taking all of the dark matter and blowing it up into its next
evolution - a bright beacon, a star. Dark Tala aims to take all of the bad, all
of the pain, and transform it into something beautiful and empowering. Alchemy
represents death and rebirth. To become who you are, you need to let go of who
you were. To wake up, you need to stop being asleep. Beginnings and endings are
inevitable bedpartners, and we embrace it.
4. The press release mentions that Waking Up carries a message of
empowerment—what specific emotions or experiences inspired the lyrics?
Waking Up is the story of control and dominance, especially in abusive and
narcissistic relationships. We can see these types of relationships played out
in so many places - intimate relationships, families, workplaces, even within
society at large. So often, people are trapped in a place of oppression and
disempowerment. This manipulation can be executed so well that they are
“asleep” to the control. Waking Up is realising that we hold the power. We
always have held the power. “Waking Up” is a reminder of that, for those who
might need it.
5. The song blends elements of rock, hip-hop, and heavy alternative music.
What was the creative process like in bringing those different sounds together?
It was really effortless. Maybe it comes from neurodivergence, or our
shortened attention spans, but we need to constantly be moving and shifting and
evolving the sound as we go through, so that each section holds something new
and exciting. It’s not uncommon for our verses to sit with different lyrical
density, or change up grooves or have sudden drops, and of course lean into a
key change, just to keep the momentum going. It comes from a need to make this
progressively more interesting, sometimes to our detriment - because it just
gets more complicated to play. But it’s always fun to find ways to build energy
and switch up the vibe in a way that feels effortless, and incorporating ideas
from different genres and styles. It’s an exercise of wielding energy - how do
we accelerate it, how do we pull back in anticipation for a huge rush. It’s
like designing a rollercoaster, it’s such a cool way to write.
6. Dark Tala is positioned as a band with a message—what social or personal
issues are you most passionate about addressing in your music?
Our focus is on personal individual empowerment. In so many places there
are people who feel lost, trapped, and lured quietly into an involuntary
apathy. We live in a world that benefits from us being meek, insecure, and
distracted. It grows a lack of self belief, self censorship, and at its core -
a lack of self love, and self protection. When people start to fight to love,
protect, and believe in themselves, they inevitably start to love, protect and
believe in others. There are so many systemic ways in which we are disconnected
from our internal power. Our aim is to reconnect our listeners to their most
authentic selves, and their inner voice. Because connected and empowered people
can change the world.
7. What was the recording process like for Waking Up? Were there any
particular challenges or breakthrough moments in the studio?
It’s always a fun and explorative time writing and recording for Dark Tala.
Waking Up was particularly interesting - we wrote the bridge, and then realised
that it could really nicely move into a key change. We didn’t have a key change
in mind, so the song already starts pretty high in Dans’ vocal range. But she
tried out the key change, and yeah- it was a stretch, but not out of the
question. It took a month or so of pre-production for her to strengthen it to
the place it needed to be, but it was definitely worth it. That’s how it goes
when we’re always trying to push the songs as we write them - they get harder
to play. But working on those things in the studio makes us better players, and
we get so excited about the idea of performing it live.
8. Your music has been compared to bands known for their dynamic vocal
ranges and heavy instrumentals. How did you approach achieving that balance in
Waking Up?
Every instrument has a role within the dynamics of the song, which gives us
so much permission to lean into those roles, knowing that they will balance
each other out when they’re put together. The guitars and drums feel even
heavier when accompanied by a clean soaring female vocal. The purity of the
vocal sounds even more epic when accompanied by heavy gritty guitar. The
contrast is what makes it effective, and keeps it engaging and interesting.
There are so many colours and textures, and the juxtaposition carries them even
more. That’s why this combination is so popular with other great artists - it
just works.
9. Alternative music has always been a space for outcasts and rebels. What
do you hope fans, especially younger listeners, take away from Waking Up?
We always try to keep in mind “what did I need to hear when I was 16, 18,
21 yrs old?”. And knowing what we know how, and how we hid or abandoned
ourselves, we try to write what we needed to hear. You’re strong, you’re
powerful, you don’t need these people that are just f*cking with you. Get out
of there if you don’t feel safe. Get out of the spaces that don’t see your
light. You’re smart, you’re capable, you’re special. It’s what a lot of us
needed to hear. In a lot of ways, we’re still talking to our younger selves.
10. Melbourne has a thriving alternative scene—how has the local scene
influenced your sound or journey as a band?
We are so lucky to be in a place that really embraces alternative music,
and has so many other amazing female-fronted bands. There is a beautiful sense
of exploration that is present, knowing that so many other incredible artists
have fought for our place, and opened doors for female-fronted acts like us to
have a place in the scene.
11. With Waking Up being your debut, what can fans expect from Dark Tala in
the near future? Is an EP or album on the horizon?
There are certainly a couple more singles and an EP on their way, so keep
your eyes peeled and ears open.
12. If you could send a message to every person who listens to Waking Up,
what would it be?
If you understand it, or if you needed it - know that we wrote this for you.
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