VulpesVulpes: Press

One foxy lady
Up close and personal with Florida State's very own Tanya Lam
Lily Reisman
Issue date: 4/7/08 Section: Arts & Life

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Talent is rampant among the students of Florida State, specifically in a 20-year-old commercial music student named Tanya Lam. On top of being a singer, songwriter and producer, Lam plays the piano, guitar, viola, violin and bass. This multitalented musician's inimitable style is found in her memorable voice - which is classically beautiful, intensely haunting and satisfyingly sexy - as well as in her innovative and pleasing musical compositions.

"I come from a background where I combine my classical music experience with contemporary music, and I hope that gives me an edge on other artists," Lam said.

Hailing from Long Island, N.Y., Lam started playing music at an early age. As she got older, the songstress embraced her passion for writing and singing.

"I just started recording these parody mixed tapes and I gave them to my friends. I would sing "New York, New York" but just change all the words," Lam stated. "When I was around 16, I started writing music, my own songs, and I just got more involved with that."

Lately, Lam has taken on the identity, VulpesVulpes, a name she will record under in the future.

"I just recently decided to transition towards that character. In Fight Club, Edward Norton kind of talks about the penguin being his power animal, and since watching that I have been trying to figure out what my power animal was, and it was the fox," Lam explained. "Vulpes vulpes is the Latin translation for red fox."

VulpesVulpes will differ from Lam's other material, as it includes the additional sounds of various musicians, a new and positive direction for Lam.

"I would like to begin playing with a band more. Artistically, I feel like I have a lot to offer as a solo artist, but I think when it comes down to it I can't do everything all at once," Lam explained. "I feel like it would be more enjoyable as an overall performance if I had more talented people to incorporate and contribute to the music."

The red fox is the perfect animal to parallel Lam's quick wit and determination as well as the constant energy she puts into mastering her craft. Last summer Lam had the opportunity to intern in Los Angeles, where she not only gained invaluable experience but also made her presence known in the beautiful City of Angels.

"I had the weekends to myself and figured, well, if I am in L.A. then I better get my name out there and get more performance experience," Lam said. "So I did Craigslist like crazy and booked one gig at a bar. The promoter really enjoyed it so he helped me book a couple more shows. I was there for eight weeks, and I had about five or six performances."

Lam is solely responsible for producing all of her songs. Her commitment and perseverance is seen in the long hours she spends mixing and mastering her music. If Lam isn't recording in her bedroom, she is toiling away at a recording studio in the music building.

"I have some recording equipment in my room. So the acoustic stuff like 'Playing with Fire' and 'Play On' were recorded in my room," Lam explained. "Because of my class schedule, and last semester I worked part time, I ended up doing a lot of the recording sessions from like 2 a.m. to eight in the morning. It is tiring, but it's what I have to do."

Samples of Lam's work are found on her MySpace page at myspace.com/tanyalam.

The song "Fair Fortune" is truly one of a kind. The tempo is slow with a bit of mischief, and the perfect addition of the violin, courtesy of Megan Oswalt, gives the tune a Parisian feel. When the song breaks for the chorus, the musical arrangement takes on a nifty transition and the shift in Lam's voice creates a chilling effect, in a good way.

The lyrics are a bit vengeful, "You had me lying on the cutting board like I was some sort of meat / as you ignored my every word every time I tried to speak / I hope you get what's coming to you, real soon," and will affect those who have experienced a relationship gone sour.

"I am really sarcastic with my music. 'Fair Fortune' is a really angry song, but it is not based on my own anger," Lam said. "But when I sing it, I can sing it with conviction and sing it with soul, and people cane relate to that."

The acoustic song, "Play On," is extremely reminiscent of Jack Johnson, especially in the guitar licks. The words are inspiring and Lam delivers the lyrics in her oh-so timeless voice.

Check out "An Awful AWOL" for a bit of fun. The tune is about bees and Lam found her inspiration in the wise words of a wacky genius.

"I kind of wanted to bring awareness to bees. I'm not passionate about bees by any means I just thought it was really strange that they started to disappear. Albert Einstein said something like when the bees disappear that it's the beginning of the end (of the world). So I just kind of drew from that," Lam said. "I kind of wanted to put a sarcastic twist to it. It's kind of a light hearted sound musically, but the subject is not."

Lam is currently working on releasing an acoustic EP and a studio EP. The acoustic EP will include nine tracks, all recorded in her bedroom, and appropriately titled, The Bedroom Sessions.

"I am almost done recording. I just have to mix it and make it people ready," Lam said.

Lam is still working on the studio EP, but expect it by the end of summer … maybe.

"There are two or three more songs I would like to record for the studio album, I am actually going to do that this summer with a couple of friends and hopefully it will be out within a month or two months." Lam added with a comical tone, "But you know musicians always put out release dates and they never follow them."

It is hard not to get excited for Tanya Lam. She is filled with passion and raw ability and her willfulness is bound to carry her far. Lam's future looks bright and success will no doubt follow this gifted Florida State student wherever she goes. Lam performs on April 5 at FSU's Relay for Life. The performance starts at 9 a.m. and takes place on the Mike Long track.

Until then, check out Lam's MySpace page (.myspace.com/tanyalam), as well as the VulpesVulpes MySpace page at myspace.com/vulpesvulpesmusic. Listeners are in for a refreshing treat.

Hello Friends,

Here’s a Lonely Hollows exclusive. VulpesVulpes liveThe undiscovered but very talented band VulpesVulpes will certainly make a splash in the indie scene with singer, Tanya Lam, belting out strong vocals. No but seriously–she has a voice to be reckoned with. Her melodies are simple, clean and light; letting the listener float on by with the rest of the music. Her voice is accompanied by her band comprising of Josh Besserman and Greg Gibaldi that seamlessly form the platform for her voice to take flight. Easily comparrible to the great Chan Marshall of Cat Power or Feist, the only thing this talented singer has to challenge is her place at the table. With the best musical intentions in mind VulpesVulpes is currently recording a new set of melodicly magic songs for a new record set to be released (we hope) within the next six months. The new record is being recorded by Kenny Lienhardt out of his studio in Brooklyn NY. We have high hopes for this one and we hope you keep your eyes peeled. We also hope to soon have an interview available with VulpesVulpes. Check back for updates Until then check out their myspace and enjoy the sounds.–Be sure to check out VulpesVulpes playing live Saturday July 12th at The Cup in Wantagh NY. (Go to artist’s official website for details.)

Cheers from all of us here at Lonely Hollows.