Manchester’s Tamsin Stephens records and releases music as TTSSFU and while some might complain that it doesn’t fit the classic benchmarks of what gets called dreampop or post-punk, I challenge anyone to come up with better reductive pigeonholes for her hazy, angst-tinged, reverb-drenched bedroom pop. For the record, she accepts the labels gladly:
For those unfamiliar with your music, can you tell us who you are, where you’re from and about the music you make?
Start Listening To: TTSSFU @ Start Listening
I’m Manchester based, originally from wigan lol the home of Richard Ashcroft, I’m Tasmin stephens Aka TTSSFU and I make dream pop /shoe-gaze.
With a Bandcamp stuffed with covers, demos, and sonic flotsam, she released her first proper collection of songs last year with Me, Jed And Andy, and just announced the follow up in the form of another EP, Blown, coming August 29. Introductions will come via the closing track of that debut release, however, which comes with a compelling video.
Your new video for “Studio 54” explores Andy Warhol’s complicated relationship with Jed Johnson. What drew you to tell this story, and how does it connect with your own experiences?
Start Listening To: TTSSFU @ Start Listening
I guess the video is my interpretation of loneliness that lurks In party scenes, nightlife is fun but also scary and to me holds lots of sadness, its a form of escapism and this can make people lose themselves, this is what I read on the end of Jed and Andy and it reminded me of how id handled relationships in the past sort of just pushing people away and lost to chaos.
“Studio 54” explores themes of self-awareness and taking things for granted. Can you tell us more about the lyrics in this track?
It’s about not knowing what you got till it goes away, or just being a bit of a dick.
