Simone Tang
Danish singer/songwriter Simone Tang has probably just released one of the best songs ever. Titled “On the quarrelets of pearls”, the song describes her experience of losing her father as a result of long-term alcohol abuse. Emotional and poignant, the single is off her upcoming debut album, to be released this fall.
“On the quarrelets of pearls” is raw, honest and vulnerable. To me, it is perfection. I’ve been listening to it on repeat and I’m sure I will keep playing this song over and over. Timeless. Make sure to stream it now !
Photo credit: Jeppe Klausen
Hi Simone, how are you? What's your story?
I’m very good! At the moment I am very busy, and have been all year with what I love the most: Music! So I feel very privileged. I was born into a family with a dad who played a lot on his guitar, and sang, and a very caring mother who took care of me and my 3 siblings. My dad left my mother when I was nearly one year old, so I visited him every other weekend when I was a kid. I’ve always been very interested in music, acting, and performing, and so I wrote my first songs at the age of 10, in English, about heartbreak, and the weather. I can still remember them to this day, and they are actually not bad! (laughs). I also had my first leading role in a Danish feature film “Aching Hearts” when I turned 15, and won a Chinese award for best actress, at the renowned “Shanghai International Film Festival”. That was a huge night for me, as I also met and spoke with Quincy Jones, who was a guest at the festival. I’m the youngest of four, and have shared the interest for music a lot with my sister Louise, who is 1,5 years older than me.
Do you remember your earliest musical memory?
I guess I have sung since very early on, but remember a Christmas when I was 7 years old, where I filmed into the wall with our old VHS Camera, just to catch the sound of me singing - It was something english-sounding, but not at all, (laughs). Since vacations from early on with my dad, I can remember me and my sister sitting around the table, singing songs with him playing the guitar. He had a very large collection of lyrics of songs by Dolly Parton, Bob Dylan, The Eagles, The Beatles, amongst others.
What did you grow up listening to?
My dad loved artists such as the above, so I got to know a lot of songs they’ve written. My mom had a CD with Sissel Kyrkjebø and Eros Ramazzotti at home, so I guess it was a good mix of primarily foreign artists that I listened to via my parents, while growing up.
When did you know you could sing?
I think around the age of 6-7 years old. I began singing a lot at home, and the two songs I wrote at the age of 10, I performed at my school with the school choir. I think the people around me started saying that I had a very good voice, and then I started believing it myself.
Growing up, what were your favorite songs to sing along to?
Definitely Jolene by Dolly Parton. My dad and I used to sing and play that song a lot. Besides “Tusind stykker” by Danish Anne Linnet and “The house of the rising sun” by The Animals.
Do you remember a specific time in your life where music made a huge impact?
It always amazed me a lot to hear my sister sing, and also my dad. My sister sang in a band around the age of 14 into her twenties, and was really good at it. I looked up to her a lot, as I still do today in many ways. Also to see how much music meant for my dad, is still something I can look back at, and think of with a smile. He used to speak a lot about a choir he was a part of in his youth, and how the love for music was so powerful by sharing it with so many people. I often think of that today when I play for other artists, and in my own duo, that I get to share this with great friends.
When did you know you had to be an artist and release your original music?
I have always been a dreamer, and dreamt of being an artist from a young age. I saw myself play on all the big stages, and have a great career, from very early on. I can say without a doubt that I have experienced so many things that to this day many others haven't, in my time as an actress as well as a musician, but I just recently got my first booker, never had a record deal, and been DIY all the way - So the “making-it-big” is still on the to-do list, (laughs). Luckily I’ve kept my love for music although many dreams haven't happened yet. I just finished my first record, so it has also taken me some time to figure out which direction I wanted to pursue. Now it makes sense to go back to what I used to listen to as a child for inspiration, and to me, some of the greatest songwriters of all time. (Paul Simon, Dolly Parton, Joni Mitchell, Nick Drake, Lennon/Mccartney, Elizabeth Cotton and more).
Who was the first person to ever believe in you?
I’ve been very lucky to have had a family around me who has always believed in my skills. Both my mom and dad have always supported my wish to sing and act, and especially my mom has always had an eye out for castings and auditions when I was a child, and still has my back to this day with ideas and venues to play, when seen in papers and online. She was the one who noticed there was a casting for a show school in Billund called “Legoland Show Academy” where I went for two years as a kid. It was the Danish version of The Mickey Mouse Club, where we had dancing, acting, and singing classes. She also spotted the casting for the feature film I landed the leading role in, which changed my life radically in a period of 3 years. I have a lot to thank her for, and also my dad who believed in me, although he is not with me anymore. And ofcourse my siblings, and especially my sister Louise has supported me a lot through the years. I speak with her a lot about ideas for the visual side of my album, as well as sending her my songs when in process. One of the songs on the record I wrote for her - And she has taken the cover photo of my album, which I’m very happy about.
"On the quarrelets of pearls" is your new single - could you describe the songwriting/production process for this song? What made you want to release this specific song before the release of your debut album?
I wrote this song about 2 years ago, and put it away for about 8 months. I didn’t feel it was good enough, and I was afraid to bore the listener. Then around 1,5 years ago I asked my mom to film me playing it, in her backyard, and I put it on my Instagram, where surprisingly I got a lot of sweet comments, and love for the song, which actually made me want to write more just on my guitar, as this one came alive. It’s now one of the songs I’ve written that means the most to me, and especially because of the story being told. It’s about my dad, and both the sorrow and joys that were a part of our life together. I recorded it in the studio in Viktoriagade, (Copenhagen) where I’ve recorded all the 11 songs for the album, with my friend Søren. My other good friend, and artist whom I also play bass for, Christian Ki, recorded and mixed it to sound just as I wanted it to. Søren and I played it live in the studio in a one-take, which was the process of all the songs, and so every little minor flaw and “mistakes” is there too. I wanted it to be very simple and raw, and I feel we’ve succeeded with this.
You wrote this song for your father - what did you feel when writing/recording this single? What do you want your dad to be remembered for?
I wanted to tell my story growing up with a dad who had a drinking problem, and wasn’t always a very good dad. I also wanted to shine a light upon the good things that we shared, and how I felt not being able to save him in the end. My dad was always the life of the party, and very outgoing. He was very funny, and could crack a joke most of the time, but also had a very dark side which he used alcohol to cope with. It hasn’t always been easy for my sister and I to witness, and also not the partners he lived with after my mom. I wish to remember my dad as this happy, funny, and loving father, though he had a lot of flaws. He always believed in me and my sister, and I do not doubt that he loved us very much.
What's your favorite lyric on this song?
That would probably be the last sentence in the song as it means a lot to me. “Praying that your memory will live another day.”
What can you tell us about the artwork?
The artwork is a drawing made by graphic designer Jeanette Nørgaard, of a man playing the guitar, with his daughter sitting next to him, singing. It’s supposed to be the image of him and I, when I was a child. Every single has it’s own drawing, made by Jeanette, that fits the song and its story.
What message do you want to give to anyone struggling with alcoholism? And what would you say to the ones who have a loved one dealing with alcoholism?
Reach out for help. I tried getting my dad to do so, but he didn’t. It takes a lot of courage and help. And also not to blame yourself if you are not able to help them in the end. I’ve blamed myself a whole lot, and still do. But it’s simply hard to help someone who doesn’t want saving. All you can do is try.
You're getting ready to release your debut album - what can you tell us about it?
It’s a very honest album, containing 11 songs written about my family, friendships, perfectionism, forbidden love, dreams and more. It’s all on guitar and vocals, with very few add-ons of strings and percussion. It’s very cut-to-the-bone, and naked in that sense. It’s something you could put on a sunday morning, while brewing your coffee, or going for an easy walk in the woods.
What are your thoughts on today's music industry? If you could change one thing, what would it be?
I guess the social media and online platforms have increased the opportunity to share your music worldwide, but it has also caused a lot of competition to be seen. I think the radio has a huge impact on what makes it and what doesn’t, and the way that songs are getting picked I guess, hasn’t changed that much over the years. It’s still very few people deciding whether you have a chance or not, and as an independent artist over 30, it’s somehow near impossible. I hope that we keep evolving, having the guts to play something that’s not the typical radio-hits, and supporting the minorities and older artists who have great music to offer.
What biggest life lessons have you learned so far?
To be patient, not to overthink everything (although I still do a lot), to be grateful, and to take time off! (Which I’m also very bad at - laughs).
In your opinion, what would make the world a BETTER place?
Less selfishness, and more caring for others.
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