Today we’d like to introduce you to Tania Wilk.
So, before we jump into specific questions, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
Truthfully, I believe I started singing while in the womb. By age five, I had joined my aunt’s church choir and throughout grade school, I was in all the musical groups (orchestra, band, choir, showchoir, jazz ensemble, improv…). I continued my passion in college earning my B.F.A in musical theatre at SUNY Fredonia. After graduation, I moved to Bayridge, Brooklyn to pursue my musical career. I waited tables while auditioning and landed leading roles on Off Broadway stages and in the film world. Needing a break from audition life, I took some time away and backpacked Europe for five weeks. Soon after, I got engaged to my senior prom date and was whisked away into the military lifestyle.
While stationed in Hawaii, I fell in love with the local music scene and began playing the ukulele. Being a military wife never truly lets you root in one location, but through all these moves music never left my soul; I always knew that my true passion was in creating original music. I had written poetry all my life but picking up the guitar, piano, and ukulele turned years of written lines into lyrics. While stationed in El Paso, I was brought in as the lead female singer of an incredible cover band, ‘Bad Apple’. Gigging around El Paso, Texas and New Mexico dusted off my vocal chops and reinvigorated my inner performer. Sadly, my marriage turned out to be a sham, but today I am happily divorced and living in Los Angeles where I am fulfilling my dream of creating music and in the midst of releasing an EP.
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
NO! Not at all. I have stumbled upon MANY roadblocks, mostly mental (either by things I was told or societal conditions) that have set me back. I have attempted a ‘plan b’ countless times but always come back to this; to the need and desire to sing, perform, inspire and create. That’s how I know this is my purpose. I now take steps towards my success as an independent artist every single day.
Also, the breakdown of my marriage was the most painful experience I’ve had to endure in my life. It completely crushed me, but hitting rock bottom left me no option other than to rebuild stronger and more confident than I’ve ever been.
Can you give our readers some background on your music?
I am a singer/songwriter originally from Long Island, NY. Growing up with classical training and musical influences such as Whitney Houston, Jewel and Alanis Morissette to present day artists like Brandi Carlile, Ingrid Michaelson and Patty Griffin contribute to my ever-evolving, eclectic style, currently in the indie-folk realm.
As mentioned above, I am recently divorced and I poured the associated heartache and healing into my upcoming EP. ‘Carousel’ is all about the rollercoaster ride from a fairytale relationship to and through the nightmare of a divorce. I have released several singles from it already, but the full release is on 12.3.20. It’s been extremely therapeutic to have created art from the experience that broke me.
So, what’s next? Any big plans?
Always to continue to make music! I look forward to growing as a singer/songwriter, musician, human and connecting with a community of loyal, honest people, fans, and collaborators. This is just the beginning and I’m thrilled for what’s to come, but each day I am mindful to live in the moment and enjoy the process.
Contact Info:
- Website: taniawilk.com
- Email: [email protected]
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/taniawilk/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Tania-Wilk-1061232380616183
Image Credit:
Linnea Stephan
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