Taking a Leap of Faith With Tai Verdes
Interview and photos by Mary Perez
Graphic by Rebekah Witt
If you’ve ever sought out the perfect summertime jam with just the right amount of feel-good vibes to make you sing along, you’ve likely added “AOK” by Tai Verdes to your playlists. Unapologetically true to himself, Verdes is a rising artist whose music has found major success on social media in recent years, especially TikTok. I first remember encountering the pop singer-songwriter in 2020, as his debut single “Stuck In the Middle” went viral on TikTok. More recently, Verdes released two albums over the past two years, and his latest album HDTV came out in 2022. I had the chance to speak with the indie pop vocalist at this year’s Governors Ball to learn more about his discography, staying true to himself, and artistic influences.
How was it getting to see the fans’ reactions and just be able to perform at GovBall?
Performing is always such an interesting experience. I love sharing music. That's the part that I focus on.
Do you think that there was like a favorite song that you played today that the fans particularly responded well to?
I try not to release music I don't want to perform forever. So that's my main M.O. because I'm so attached to the production, the writing arrangement. If I'm doing all that, I want to be able to share it if you're proud of it every single time.
Do you find it difficult to put together a setlist then?
It's getting kind of hard. We're getting to have a lot of songs. But yeah, it's gonna get even harder with new stuff coming. So it's gonna be really interesting.
I know you just put out an album last year, so how was it getting to see fan reactions to that, as opposed to your expectations for that release? Were there any songs in particular that fans like latched on to?
I don't really care. My fans latch on to things, it's really cool that they are super interested in the music and are focusing and pushing something forward. But at the end of the day, if I was making it for them, then they wouldn’t be mine.
How would you say your music functions within your self-expression and getting to talk about your life?
Yeah, I think it feels like a real experience. When I try and get my music out there feels like a real experience, and I want it to feel real, I don't want it to feel like it is plastic, or fake, or whatever. I want to feel like someone is actually making the sound, someone's actually deciding to make a choice to sound different and be creative and make something that people can actually connect with.
Would you say that there are any challenges in being able to create that sound and find that message?
Yeah, I think that the challenge is, as always, putting yourself in different situations and evolving. The evolution of your music is a big part of growing as an artist and being able to package your music in the timestamp in the end. An album is a time capsule of who you are at that time. It's not just some songs—you get a book, the memories of that time period, what you were wearing, how you're performing, who you were with the time, so it's really cool to be able to package those things like I want to. It feels even more special every single time that I do.
Of course, a lot of your songs have gone viral online. What has it been like being able to find that success online, and has it changed the way that you approach your music and your songwriting processes?
I think that the more that I've written songs, the more that I keep it closer to the chest. Because at the end of the day, there can only be one president, right? You can only be one captain on the shift, [and] if there are multiple, it feels like there's no direction. I think that if I have my own direction, it's really easy to get up in front of the people and whoever I'm working with me like this is the direction that we're going. At the end of the day, people are there for your one perspective and not multiple perspectives of “We shouldn't try and do this, we should try and do that.” It's like whatever the person on the inside is finally wanting to put out to the world for infinity because that's what music is.
Do you find any challenges in being able to stay true to yourself and not care about what other people are thinking or how they perceive your music?
No, I just think about how the 17-year-old version of myself would perceive my music, and then I just tried to keep going in that direction. What would he want to hear?
What about the long-term and short-term goals that you have for your career? Do you have any in mind?
I mean, I think that I have some goals in mind. But at the end of the day, I've got my whole life to figure them out. So I just try to stay in the moment as much as possible.
Your sets are very high energy, so do you have any pre-show rituals to get that energy up and make sure that you’re ready to perform?
Now, the music is where I get my energy because I can hear that first note and then am put right back into the space. It's honestly just like a battery pack.
Yeah, that's really good. Do you have a personal theme song or a soundtrack to your life?
Every song that I make. I get hyped to listen to anything that feels different, like when I listen to Chance the Rapper, Childish Gambino, Kanye West, all of those people that are being brave. That makes me motivated.
Speaking of soundtracks, if you could add one of your songs to a movie soundtrack, what song would you choose and for what movie?
Interesting. I don't know, I don't like to force art together. I think that happens a lot in today's society when people are trying to make this artist's work with this artist, and you have put your song in this movie because you want it to be in this movie. It's like at least have the goal for that to happen and then at least it will feel more genuine.
Are there other artists or even art pieces that you're inspired by?
Yeah, movies are great, and also I watched a lot of Broadway. Broadway feels like a really awesome outlet. I'm actually going to a Broadway show after this. Actors are there every single day putting on a show, and I think artists will just get going with a music video set. Even TV actors will have just a small run, but theater actors are really having to do the whole fucking shebang.
Yeah, that makes a lot of sense! Do you have a go-to coffee order?
Because of “TWO SUGARS?” To be honest, I wrote that song, but I don't even drink coffee.
Favorite beverage then!
Water.
There we go. Any messages you'd like to send your fans?
I hope you have a good day. Have a good day.
Fans were ecstatic to see his set at GovBall, singing and dancing along to his hit songs, including a rousing performance of “AOK” and an energetic close with “TWO SUGARS.” Verdes stays true to himself with sincere lyricism and honest storytelling, and his talent has been recognized since his debut, a feat not many artists can claim. Be sure to catch him on tour in the future, and stay tuned for more new music!
