Black Isle singer Tamzene opens for Stevie Wonder at Hyde Park
BLACK Isle singer-songwriter Tamzene experienced the moment of a lifetime last weekend performing as part of a support line-up for music legend Stevie Wonder at Hyde Park
“I’d just been covering [Stevie Wonder global hit] I Just Called to Say I Love You on my May tour,” she said. “So to get that call was pretty special.”
Growing up surrounded by the striking landscapes of the Black Isle helped profoundly influence her sound.
“I sing about the sea a lot,” she said. “Playing in my school ceilidh band and listening to artists like Rachel Sermanni helped me develop a love for storytelling and creating little musical worlds.”
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The Hyde Park experience was nothing short of surreal.
“I was singing along to Corinne Bailey Ray right before I went on stage. The stage that I watched Self Esteem captivate everyone from in 2022. Being golf-carted around Hyde Park for our set was also a fun experience. The team there is so lovely and it's a very slick operation.”
When asked how she mentally prepared for such a high-profile gig, she placed an emphasis on the importance of presence and enjoyment.
“I told myself to really enjoy it and be in the moment as much as possible. I’ve worked hard to get here so it was important to take it all in.”
She also credited her bandmate, Will Sensicle, whose pep talks helped steady her nerves.
Coming from a remote place, she acknowledged the challenges of breaking into the music industry without direct connections or insider knowledge.
“It’s been a long road of discovery, but I’ll always have my journey, which started out busking on Inverness High Street and playing open mics in Strathpeffer to fall back on. No experience in the industry will ever change that.”
Her journey is an inspiration to young musicians from small towns and rural areas: “My advice would be to practice, put yourself out there as much as possible and keep your 'dream' clear and loud in your mind.” she said.
“The internet is a great tool - my live agent found me through a video I posted on Instagram - but real-life connections with other artists and mentors are just as important. And don’t be discouraged by failures — they’re essential to growth.”
She has just released an new EP Call Them And Tell Them You Love Them.