Q&A: Takkin Inspires Cathartic Relief With “You Don’t Look So Good”
KARMIC AND CATHARTIC – Takkin’s “You Don’t Look So Good” supplies a sweet taste of victory to all who suffered high school bullying. Wrapped in a dark and electrifying atmosphere, the track imagines coming face to face with an ex-bully only to find them lacking the power they once held.
As the track progresses, the lyrics become more blunt and less coherent, leading to a vicious wailing as emotions rise. Taking inspiration from dialogue frequently used in social groups, Takkin creates a powerful sense of realism in his lyricism.
Beginning his musical passion on the piano, Tobias Wong’s experience in music is an exciting combination of folk music, church bands, and open mics. Now, he mixes his pulsing sounds with his deep vocals creating an all round cinematic ambience.
Proving his ability to create a vast range of captivating atmospheres, Takkin’s newest single “Breathe” offers a much more mellow take on his sound. Juxtaposing the tumultuous and lively spirit of “You Don't Look So Good”, his latest track still sees Takkin inject haunting feelings into the electronic genre.
Read on to learn more about the creative process behind “You Don’t Look So Good”, and how Takkin began his musical journey.
LUNA: Congrats on the release of “You Don't Look So Good”! How did you develop the sound for this track?
TAKKIN: Thank you so much for taking the time to listen! We knew we wanted as many rock elements as we could inject but with a dark, electronic edge. The guitars chug along with a swaggery groove. The vocals start soft but then crescendo into Mars Volta-esque wailing. To help build tension, there are some fun cinematic elements, like the sticks that sound like a ticking clock and an 808 kit that sounds like a ping pong volley.
LUNA: What’s the story behind the lyrics?
TAKKIN: It’s an imagined dialogue with a bully or past competitor. It’s got a tone that starts passive aggressive and then grows more blunt and pointed. We used language you’d hear at a bar or house party; bits of chit chat to magnify the realness of those moments. What would this character say to a real jerk who peaked in high school?
LUNA: What was going through your mind when you first came up with the idea for it?
TAKKIN: Ben, my producer and writing partner, approached me with the concept and basic melody. There are formalities we use to break the ice with these types of unexpected reunions. The song became an exploration of that. It’s those thoughts you have in your head during those moments that would be taboo to say out loud, so we decided to express it through the song’s character. I wanted that feeling of celebration, accomplishment and satisfaction to come through as a central theme, but peppered with scoffing schadenfreude.
LUNA: How did you first get into making music?
TAKKIN: Like many other Asian kids I was forced to learn the piano. I ended up liking it and picked up the guitar as a teen. I taught myself how to play, played with church bands, even got into musicals. When I had time to myself, I’d tinker with song ideas. I would try to emulate what I was hearing, learn through imitation, then experiment with my own lyrics. I came to NYC to study acting. On the side, I’d perform at open mics as a solo act. I used to have a folk band with my two good friends. When that project came to an end, the violinist (Ben) and I started Takkin.
LUNA: What themes do you enjoy exploring most in your lyrics?
TAKKIN: Heartache, longing, melancholy. This song was a fun exploration outside of my comfort zone into a more vengeful, tongue-in-cheek space. I got to tap into my love for martial arts and Muay Thai with some subtle fighting references.
LUNA: What influences your music most?
TAKKIN: Relationships. I daydream a lot about what I would have said or what I want to say to different people if given the chance. My music is a way to explore and express those desires. It’s a way for me to dissect my emotions, find their causes and see how they can be channeled into something good. Sometimes the things I’ve felt in the past don’t really come to the surface until I express them with my songwriting.
LUNA: Sonically, how would you sum up your music?
TAKKIN: I want my music to have a strong narrative, and to come from a detailed world. I want my audience to experience stories from a visceral level, much like you’d experience a video game or an episode of a tv show. Music is world building. You set up the parameters of that world and see where the limitations take you. If I had to condense it into a genre, I’d say pop with a little bit of everything mixed in. You can discover more of these sonic elements in my next single “Breathe,” streaming everywhere June the 17th!
CONNECT WITH TAKKIN
SPOTIFY
-
weekly tunes playlist has been updated! new tracks from @furtradeband, @pecqband, @garryfool & more! check it out! https://t.co/ToFU0R6YGo -
-
RT @oliviaborch: new @LunaCollective out todayyy shot by @alltookev ✨ @P1H_official editorial design by me ! https://t.co/cvSCKsWB5D
-
RT @rlyblonde: @AnnieDirusso for @LunaCollective shot by me #35mm #portra800 https://t.co/0UUJSCBGcH
