We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Tanksley a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

TANKSLEY, appreciate you joining us today. Can you tell us about a time that your work has been misunderstood? Why do you think it happened and did any interesting insights emerge from the experience?

Honestly at the beginning of my career I think I spent too much of time mischaracterizing myself as a human being and that made it more difficult for others to connect with me and vice versa. I wasn’t sure how to blend all of my influences and experiences down into something uniquely me. It took a lot of testing and expression to get comfortable exploring the different sides of myself internally. That time really helped me to develop as an artist and I wouldn’t trade a second of it for anything. The process of uncovering myself one song and word at a time became a safe space when I couldn’t quite find it elsewhere. I try my best to reflect that and hold the concept closely when creating now.

Most of this arc came as a consequence of growing up as “the black kid who listened to alternative music” and just generally being a bit more ostracized and insular when I was younger. Soon I was also the athlete that tried theater, and the kid with the guitar on the bus. I internalized far too much and created my own mischaracterization by trying to be outside of the box rather than fully being myself. Still, I think it was a necessary part of the journey.

TANKSLEY, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

I’m a singer, songwriter, multi instrumentalist, and producer currently based in Delaware who makes Art Soul music. Art Soul is my core and can be defined as a genre blend of Soul, BAM, Art pop, and Art Rock influences. Truthfully… the moniker is hypocritical because I believe we’re in a post genre era, but I’ve found this to be the best way to describe my inspirations and creative sound. I got into music because of the feeling experienced during the process. Trying to better understand yourself you can understand the world around you and in return you’re blessed with the opportunity to offer that possibility for every listener to experience something that came from nothing. Music is a language of interpretation and perspective that opens up beauty to the world in ways nearly unmatched yet we all get to experience it daily. Being a vessel for something so intangible yet vital is a privilege I will never take for granted, especially because this process saved my life. I want people to feel seen, lifted, empowered, understood, and met where they are – anywhere between their depths and pinnacles. If that means I need to embody something as dramatic or dark as I am goofy at times then so be it.

I’d say I’m most proud of my musical uniqueness. Because I’m a self taught musician many of my voicings and choices deviate from the standard and I think this helps me feel creatively new in a way because I’m not locked into any one pattern of thought creatively. Rather, I go where the melody leads me. During that same insular period I started playing instruments for ten hours a day and eventually finished high school at home to have time. One thing about me is that I will always be dedicated and one of my biggest goals is to inspire others to follow their dreams no matter what. It’s a simple sentiment that really doesn’t get enough emphasis in modern society yet this path would help so many of our issues within ourselves and in relation to others. I want to build space for people to see some sort of beauty in their unique mirrors.

What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?

Music is a language of interpretation and perspective that opens up beauty to the world in ways nearly unmatched yet we all get to experience it daily. Being a vessel for something so intangible yet vital is a privilege I will never take for granted, especially because this process saved my life. I want people to feel seen, lifted, empowered, understood, and met where they are – anywhere between their depths and pinnacles. If that means I need to embody something as dramatic or dark as I am goofy at times then so be it. Becoming a part of music and part of an outlet is definitely the most rewarding.

How can we best help foster a strong, supportive environment for artists and creatives?

In my opinion the best ways to support artists are to buy the music, merch and support them in other endeavors around the music directly, and to show your appreciation by sharing stories about how the art has directly impacted them because that inspiration can go along way. If you’re feeling it, tell friend or start a page about how it made you feel and continue to line of expression by building on it. Maybe make your own cover art for it, or whatever it is you want to do to add to the energy! There’s a lot of beauty in that.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.tanksleymusic.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tanksleymusic/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TANKSLEYMUSIC
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@JustinAllensFuse

Image Credits

IG:@shotsbyvoca