Talented Brighton-based newcomer TINKR shows her ability to connect with listeners on a deep, innate level with the release of new single ‘light’. Produced by Poykin, this narrative depicts the journey of going back home to your parents, post-breakup and with a selection of your most gut-wrenching songs playing on repeat. Whether this relates to your experience now or this is a reminder of earlier days, we can all understand that feeling of moving backwards. Over poised and sombre piano, dextrous electronica, and softly plucked acoustic strings, TINKR‘s dynamic vocals convey those bitter emotions of regret, loss, heartbreak, and sorrow. Her raw-edged yet soulful voice searches for answers amongst the broken pieces of a shattered relationship. With more tracks and live shows on the horizon, we wanted to learn exactly what makes TINKR tick.
For those who have never heard of TINKR, who are you and what is your music about?
Im a 22 year old singer-songwriter based in Brighton. I grew up in Nottingham and moved to Brighton to study music in 2019. I really got into music when I was 6, I started playing the trumpet and then joined various different bands. When I was in year 10 I started really struggling with my mental health and anxiety so for me songwriting was a way for me to release all of these new emotions that made me feel like a complete outcast. My music has been described before as ‘a sanctuary for the modern day misfits’ and I love that. I don’t think there’s anything wrong with not fitting into todays norms. I think being different should be celebrated more and I talk a lot about my struggles with my mental health in my music.
Let’s talk about the new single ‘Light’, what does this song mean to you?
The best way I can describe ‘light’ is:
You know when you are going through a breakup and you do that journey back to your parents and your sat on a train listening to sad songs to pass time until you reach your destination, well I imagine light would be a song that you’d play in that situation.
And what do you hope that listeners will take away from this track?
For me whenever I’ve had my heartbroken before I always feel so lonely and lost. It doesn’t matter how many people i’m surrounded by , in that state of mind it feels like my whole world is completely crumbing apart. I think the biggest take away from it, is that you’re never alone. There’s always people that are going to be there for you and life goes on. Love can be amazing , but with love can come pain and thats just part of life. Life works in mysterious ways , but i’m forever grateful for the people that I meet along the way. There’s lessons to be learnt with everyone you meet and I think that’s a beautiful thing.
Who or what is your biggest inspiration?
Honestly , my mum. I grew up in a single parent household and i’m forever amazed at how strong my mum is. Anything that I’ve ever wanted to do she’s supported – especially with my music. I’m so grateful to have such a loving supportive family and that is something that I definitely do not take for granted.
Do you have any advice for fellow or future songwriters who want to branch out of their comfort zone?
Just do it. When I listen back to some of the first songs I’ve ever wrote I can’t help but cringe…. They were so bad. It just consisted of really bad audio loops with a questionable drummer track , but you have to start somewhere to be able to improve. I’m sure in a few years I’ll look back at some of my songs now and see more faults in them , but I think that’s just a part of music…you’re forever growing and developing your skills. If you don’t start you can never improve.
What are you grateful for right now at this moment?
Right now i’m grateful for the people i’m surrounded by. Im lucky enough to have the most amazing friends that constantly push me to be the best version of myself. I’m also surrounded by a lot of creative people and for me that really encourages me with my art and to produce more work so I’m very grateful for that.
All of the songs you listened to the most in 2023, which one are you carrying through to 2024? And why?
Towards the end of 2023 there was a few artists that I really enjoyed. LIAR and YOU & I by Jordan Adetunji are songs that I definitely will be carrying through to 2024. Dj by Jim Legxacy also helped me get through a bit of a bad time so I have a lot of love for that song. As well as When She Smiles by Gigi Perez – this song in particular inspired ‘light’. The harmonies on this song are absolutely angelic.
Do you have an album that you can’t get enough of?
I recently discovered an artist called Elusin and the album SYNFUELS. There’s not many albums I can listen to back to back , but the first day I got suggested to listen to this album, I had it on repeat. The whole album is majestic. It’s one of the most beautiful album’s I have ever listened to and every single song on that album is a hit.
Who would be your dream collaboration?
Thats a hard one, I feel like there’s lots of artists that I would want to collab with , but if I had to pick one I think I would go with 100 gecs. Hyper-pop is definitely a genre that I really want to explore more and I love 100 gecs. I think their music is so unique and just really really cool.
And lastly, what can fans expect from TINKR this year?
Lots of new music. I took a break from releasing music in 2023 to figure out what direction I wanted to go down , but just know there’s so much to come this year and I can’t wait to share it all :)))
You can also listen to ‘light’ in our Shades of Pop playlist.
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