Tigerbalm releases new EP on Razor-N-Tape

Rising artist Tigerbalm has her own unique blend of tropical island vibes, loaded with female vocals, and a sense of someone who truly knows what she’s about. As the London based DJ and producer drops her latest Brazilian inspired EP ‘ Profunda Alma’ on Brooklyn’s Razor-N-Tape, we get the chance to talk to this shining light.

When you look back on 2024, how are you feeling about the year?

The year has been really incredible and rather jam packed with beautiful experiences.

What is one of the highlights of 2024 for you?

Pura Vida Festival on Vis Island.

I’d love to hear about the initial idea for Profunda Alma. What was your original intention with this release?

I worked on Profunda Alma for nearly a year. I made the bass and started building from there. Jason from Razor-N-Tape recorded guitar stabs for me and Michele Chiavarini from Naples also recorded the keys on this track and of course the vocals are from Joy Tyson who I’ve now worked with on Kete, Tokyo Business & Cosmic Union. She’s incredible!

I was going to release this as a single with remixes but then when I met Joao Selva, I had the idea to make a Brazilian EP

What is most important for you to convey through your music Tiger?

I love to bring people into their bodies and to uplift people.

What are you most proud of with Profunda Alma?

I love the chugging 80’s vibe combined with the brightness of the Brazilian percussion and Portuguese vocals.

What was the most challenging part of bringing this release together?

Nothing challenging; Razor loved the tracks and sourced these amazing remix’s from Yuksek & Make A Dance.

I’d love to hear your thoughts on how your creative and production process has changed and remained the same over the years. Do you approach anything differently lately?

I approach things very differently foreach track. I’ve really enjoyed working with more session musicians to make sure my music is 100% unique with no samples. This is however super expensive, but I love collaborating more these days than making the whole tune myself.

What drives you to create music?

I am very artistic, so I love creating anything. I have my own chocolate brand, love to paint, dance, and music is just one of my creative expressions!

Sometimes I can be inspired by an experience in a particular moment and want to create something that embodies that musically, but everything is very intuitive.

Where do you find the most inspiration when it comes to discovering new music?

I check all the new releases from Traxsource, Phonica, Juno etc listen to mix’s, go out and see people play. I find Spotify Radio also really cool because if I love a tune then it takes me on a recommendation journey.

You are working a lot with Razor-N-Tape. What is it about the label that you are loving working with so much?

Ah yes, well they are dear friends with a portfolio that really honours global disco, so it’s just the perfect home for my sound!

My Nina EP with Elado & Voilaaa remixes felt really complete and then of course I remixed Palante for them. They are so professional and fun to work with!

Your music is almost always packed full of inspirations and sounds from tropical places. Tell us a little about this obsession with far flung lands and sounds.

Haha, well I really grew up listening to this music; my parents Salsa and love Afro, Brazilian, Latin grooves but I also travel to South America every year, so that’s where I am being inspired.

Most importantly I find this music uplifting and positive to my mood. I want to explore all culture though this. My goals are to do an Italo EP, French Disco, Indian Disco etc...

How do you want to build on this last year, what have you set your sights on for 2025 in terms of personal goals?

I wanted to clear more space for creativity and to have more energy! In order to make music I, have to earn enough to pay all the singers etc and it can mean I sometimes over work, but I’m making some big changes into 2025.

I set up a company called Ecstatic Dance Culture so I’m hosting these events in Hackney Wick at The Baths monthly and this really feeds my soul. I want to dance more without being up all night and find lots of ways of working with music not just clubbing!

What else can we look forward to seeing from Tigerbalm in the coming New Year?

January I’m off to Peru for a month for some adventures. I’ll be playing a fun party called Discomania in Lima, but the rest is hiking and beach action.

My second album is coming out with Ubiquity Records with my single dropping in March, I’ve sung on two songs and worked with some incredible singers to create an Afro & Brazilian Disco LP called Bubblegum Discos....stay tuned!

GRAB THE EP: https://razor-n-tape.lnk.to/ProfundaAlmaEP

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