Q&A: Tempest Releases Fun and Flirty Summer Single “The Ranch,” Featuring Amindi
IT’S BEEN A COWGIRL SUMMER — with Black artists like Shaboozey and Brittney Spencer reclaiming and experimenting with the country genre, and iconic albums such as Cowboy Carter by Beyoncé making an impact. This summer has been one to remember with artists making their mark. Tempest’s newest single, “The Ranch,” featuring Amindi, is the title track of her upcoming EP, The Ranch. This fun and flirty track pays homage to the newfound crushes in both Tempest and Amindi’s lives, paired with a music video that has a wild, wild West theme that enhances the playful, flirty nature of the song.
Tempest is an alt R&B artist from Long Beach, CA. Music played a huge role in Tempest’s life; her father is a DJ from the Bronx, and he introduced her to East Coast hip-hop artists such as Busta Rhymes, 50 Cent, Missy Elliot, and Lil Kim, as well as R&B artists such as Mary J. Blige. Her Jamaican mother introduced her to dancehall and timeless artists like Celine Dion.
Tempest’s diverse music background has allowed her to experiment and create her own unique sound. Starting her music career in 2014, Tempest realized her calling for music production after not feeling fulfilled by her track career. She expanded her knowledge at The Long Beach Production Program and completed an internship at the GRAMMY Museum, where she performed for iconic figures such as Ray Charles, Smokey Robinson, and Michelle Obama. In 2023, Tempest began DJing performing several sold-out shows at Tenants of the Trees in LA. Having both production and DJ experience has sharpened her ear, giving her artistry a unique and fun sonic style.
Read more below to hear about Tempest collabing with Amindi, her growing DJ career, and her upcoming EP, The Ranch.
LUNA: Hey, Tempest! Thanks for joining us — can you tell us about yourself?
TEMPEST: Hello! Thank you so much for having me! I go by the name of Tempest, aka Big Tempo, aka Tempo with the Bounce. A little bit about myself, I'm an unhinged Aquarius, my favorite number is 7, I like drinking water on the rocks, strawberry shortcake and carrot cake are neck and neck in my mind and I’m a singer-songwriter from Long Beach, CA (laughs).
LUNA: My moon sign is Aquarius, so I understand the sense of being unhinged (laughs). I'm in love with your track “The Ranch.” What was the creative process behind it? Tell us what it was like working with Amindi.
TEMPEST: Man, I love “The Ranch” so much. It’s such a fun song. The creative process was really just me and Amindi being excited about these newfound crushes in our lives. It was nothing more than girl time in the studio. The song was already written because we were living it (laughs). That was the first real song I made with Amindi. I really love that girl. She’s such a professional and carries herself with so much grace. I can’t wait to make more with her.
LUNA: What was your favorite part about filming the music video for “The Ranch”?
TEMPEST: Hands down being on the horses. I love picking up new hobbies, so prior to shooting the video, I was researching horseback riding and looking for instructors. Being on the horses and riding them for the day was really really fun and just confirmed my next hobby!
LUNA: That’s so cool! So not only did you get a dope music video, you found a new hobby! What could we expect from your upcoming EP, The Ranch?
TEMPEST: Lots of tempo on this EP. Lots of new sounds, in my opinion. I feel like my songwriting got a lot better this time around. We got some feminine rage in there. The musicality is there. The thing I'm most impressed with when it comes to this project is how much fun it is. It’s the people's music.
LUNA: So excited to do a deep dive on it. How does your current environment inspire you?
TEMPEST: Truth be told, my environment is all over the place, and this time around I'm learning how to find the joy within the chaos, and it’s kinda beautiful. I’m seeing new things, I'm having different conversations, and my taste level is evolving. My current environment is inspiring me to pay attention more and take in everything. In the end, I know it’ll show up in the music when God allows it.
LUNA: What’s it like being a DJ alongside your music career?
TEMPEST: Being a DJ helped me so much, ’cause it sharpened my ear. When I'm in the studio, I use my DJ/producer ear to find my flow. I have more experience in those worlds than I do as a songwriter, and I feel like putting that hat on first has really helped the quality of my music
LUNA: Are there any artists that you would love to collaborate with?
TEMPEST: Man, Rihanna, Tyler, the Creator, Tame Impala, Baby Keem, Faye Webster, Frank Ocean, obviously, Paris Texas, Salute, BADBADNOTGOOD… I don’t know, I could keep going (laughs).
LUNA: What brings you joy?
TEMPEST: LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE! There’s nothing more joyful than love. Giving love, receiving love, experiencing love, witnessing love, showing love; doing anything in the name of love will fill me up so much. Shout out to God for all the love around me.
LUNA: Any plans for 2024?
TEMPEST: Be better than I was yesterday. No matter what that looks like. I'm not really pressed about too much right now. I just wanna keep loving and doing cool things. I'm a simple girl (laughs).
LUNA: Question for fun, if you can make the ultimate song mix who would be included and what would it sound like? etc.
TEMPEST: No lie, I'd do some weird shit and put Solange on a Lucki beat with some bounce inflictions and chop and screw it, but hey, that’s just me (laughs).
