Finding Light in the Darkness: Tash Blake Releases Bombshell Debut “ATOMIC BLONDE”
LA-based singer, songwriter Tash Blake delivers her debut, electro-pop fueled EP appropriately titled ATOMIC BLONDE that carries strong messages and confident anthems.
Growing up immersed in dance and musical theater, Tash is undeniably a pop performer. Her roots are on the dancefloor and reconfiguring herself in the pop world. ATOMIC BLONDE is an introspective EP in which Tash analyzes her love and passion for dance music, but at the same time she’s analyzing herself and her budding career.
“ATOMIC BLONDE is both a feeling and a statement. There is a strength inside of you that can allow you to feel confident in who you are and who you want to become,” Tash says. “My debut EP is all about empowering yourself to unapologetically be yourself while also serving as a reminder to let yourself recognize and feel the lows, but always reach for the highs.”
Accompanying the 5-track project, the rising artist-to-watch revealed a glittering music video for the title track “ATOMIC BLONDE” that is set in an ultra-modern futuristic world – Tash dubs Plant Blonde – directed by Tyler-Marie Evans and choreographed by King Chris.
“I have always been inspired by ‘the future’ in film, books, and television. However, a large majority of the time, the media tends to focus on a dystopian future,” Tash says. “I wanted to bring back the vision of the future as it was portrayed in the 60’s – positive, exciting, thrilling and fabulous! I’ve always loved the 60s mod fashion aesthetic and for the ‘ATOMIC BLONDE’ music video, I wanted to create a futuristic planet – Planet BLONDE – where people could celebrate, and live with hope and freedom. My message is always finding the light in the dark and I think that this video represents just that. Additionally, the song itself feels very futuristic, and I wanted the aesthetic of the video to match the song.”
With lyrics that are forward and in your face like the legends that influenced her, Tash takes an edgy path to becoming a beacon of power and inspiration for women today.
[UNPUBLISHED]: Thank you for sitting down and talking to Unpublished Magazine. Our readers would love to get to know you and your music more. For any readers who aren’t familiar with your music, what inspires your artistic style and creative persona?
[TASH]: I think that I get inspired by everything, whether it's movies or life experiences or I get inspired by things that I want to happen. There's an eclectic amount of inspiration for my songs.
[UNPUBLISHED]: Say if someone hasn’t heard of your music yet, which song would you show them that best encapsulates your sound and artistic growth?
[TASH]: I would say “ATOMIC BLONDE,” the title track of the EP because the reason I wanted to name the EP ATOMIC BLONDE was because I identified with it really strongly and it encapsulates all my messaging throughout all of the songs on the EP. It was about empowering myself to be unapologetically me, whether it’s facing a difficult time or something’s happening in life, it’s about finding the strength in that situation and finding the light in the darkness. I think if people listen to “Atomic Blonde,” they will know me a lot better.
[UNPUBLISHED]: You just released your debut EP ATOMIC BLONDE and a huge congratulations is in order. Your music carries really affirmative messages of empowerment and attaining personal confidence. What is the inspiration behind the EP?
[TASH]: I think finding confidence in yourself and remembering to embrace the difficult times, but reaching for the light in them is definitely my message for sure.
[UNPUBLISHED]: How does it feel to finally have your first big body of work out into the world?
[TASH]: It's actually so crazy. I can't believe that it's out and it's funny because I think I've been playing shows throughout this summer in New York and LA and the shows have been so incredible because of the response and connecting with the people there. I think the response to the music is just the greatest feeling because it's like my baby so it's been awesome having that finally be out for the world to hear.
[UNPUBLISHED]: What did the creative process for ATOMIC BLONDE look like?
[TASH]: I think it differed. With “Inject Me,” I already came in with the majority of the song written and had the idea and my team built off of that together. Mneanile, “So Bad Together” was written on the spot and was inspired by a situation I was thinking of. It changes, but each process has been really great and I’ve been learning a lot and growing in my writing too.
[UNPUBLISHED]: Since ATOMIC BLONDE is all about fueling self-empowerment, what do you do to empower yourself outside of music?
[TASH]: It’s all affirmations. I love reminding myself or telling myself out loud that I am worth this and I’m worthy. When I first started doing this, I felt really silly to say things out loud to myself, but I found that it really does help and you believe them more because we internalize a lot of the things we think about ourselves. I caught myself speaking down to myself in certain situations in the past and I had to check myself and ask why is that a natural thing for me to say in my head? I’ve really turned affirmation into reality.
[UNPUBLISHED]: What is your favorite song from ATOMIC BLONDE and why do you love this song? Is there like a specific lyric or message that stands out the most to you?
[TASH]: “DNA” because the message is very strong and it reminds me that I’m strong when I’m singing. “Inject Me” is really fun live and I made these clear syringes that I fill with alcohol at the clubs as a fun gag gift that I give to everyone at the end of the show to tie it all together. Everyone seems to get really hyped and into it.
[UNPUBLISHED]: The EP is accompanied by the “ATOMIC BLONDE” music video. What is the inspiration behind the video and how was your experience filming it?
[TASH]: That was such an incredible day. The entire crew was so amazing. The dancers, everyone was so incredible. I've always been very inspired by the 60s mod fashion, so when I heard the finished product of the song, I immediately felt that that's what it should look like and the song to me feels very futuristic. I wanted to bring that element in and we blended those aspects really seamlessly. I'm so proud of the video and I love it so much. I'll go on YouTube and see what people are commenting and reply and everyone's been really, really kind and seem to enjoy it and it makes me really happy.
[UNPUBLISHED]: What are some affirmations you would like to share that have resonated with you as an artist?
[TASH]: I know it's a cheesy thing because people say it a lot, but I really do believe in reminding yourself that if you singularly believe in yourself, you can make other people believe in you. That's something that I have always prioritized telling myself since I was young. Each step of the way we're getting closer and closer to the goal to the dream.
[UNPUBLISHED]: What is your wildest dream as an artist? If you can have one thing happen (a milestone or dream collaboration you hope to achieve in your career), what would that look like for you?
[TASH]: I really want to connect with as many people as possible. I think that connection is healing and music is healing and so the two of them together are unstoppable. I want to just keep writing and keep connecting and hope people connect through the lyrics. Dream collaboration is very difficult because I love so many artists, but as of right now I would say Miley Cyrus.
[UNPUBLISHED]: How are you feeling in this current era of your career and what does the rest of the year look like for you that you would like to share with Unpublished?
[TASH]: I feel amazing like I said, the shows have been so incredible, releasing the EP was so amazing. Right now I'm getting ready to go to Nashville because I'll be writing and recording my next project, so super excited. I'm really thrilled to keep the momentum going and just keep pushing. I do believe that I will be playing more shows shortly in the fall.
[UNPUBLISHED]: What can listeners expect from this new era of music?
[TASH]: I don't want to reveal too much, but I will say that I'm definitely getting ready to continue dancing. There might be some craziness in the music happening because there's craziness in my life right now, so we're being as realistic as we can be.
