The artist's way
The musical journey of up-and-coming Durango songwriter Tashi T

Greetings, dear readers! For this week’s Between the Beats, I sat down with your next favorite songwriter, Tashi Trueheart Congdon, who performs simply as Tashi T. Do yourself a favor and head over to your favorite streaming platform and dial up their music to fully enjoy this sit-down with one of the best songwriters I’ve ever had the pleasure of meeting. Be sure to catch Tashi T and the Monkberries at The Subterrain on May 25 with doors opening at 7 p.m. 

SS: Did you come from a musical family?

TT: My dad is a musician and did music professionally, but more so before I was born. He was a jazz musician and played in some big Latin bands in New York and the Dominican Republic. So, I grew up with a lot of Latin music like Chucho Valdez, Calle 13, Bata Koto, the Yellowjackets.

My mom loved Joni Mitchell, the Grateful Dead … she likes my music, too. (laughs). Growing up, we inherited a lovely piano from my grandma. She was a wonderful pianist before she got arthritis. I didn’t get to hear her play very much but the legends are many. She was incredible. Her name was Noel. 

SS: Tell us about your journey to finding your own artistic voice.

TT: I grew up playing the piano, and I love to sing. High school was a rich time for me musically. I went to the Colorado Rocky Mountain Music School (in Carbondale). George Weber, the longtime music teacher there, led ensembles where you could play any instrument you wanted, any song you wanted, and then you’d perform around Carbondale. In college, I played in a jazz ensemble, and I was the only non-male person in any of the ensembles, which sucked honestly. I played the keyboard and piano, and then after college, I had a couple years that were kind of dry for me artistically. I re-encountered my muse and energy when I was living in my van in Silverton a couple years ago. That summer I picked up an acoustic guitar for the first time and started writing my own music. 

SS: Were you raised in a religious environment? 

TT: No.

SS: Raised in the void.  

TT: Raised in the void. Totally.

SS: Do you explore that void in your songwriting?

TT: I feel like I come off more religious in my songwriting than in any other part of my life. God, praying, the thoughts and images of being saved or guided come through more in my writing than anything else. I’ve absorbed a lot of the folk Americana traditions – and Jesus and God and church are a part of those traditions. So, I find myself in that music more than I would in my ordinary life. 

SS: It sounds like there’s a bit of reclaiming or reimagining of what those things represent. 

TT: I think anyone who sings or writes music gets prayer.

SS: Who are some of your musical mentors?

TT: Gillian Welch, for sure. She was my way into folk and Americana. I feel like I’ve learned so much from her music. And Dave Rawlings, too – his musicianship and guitar playing. I love Adrianne Lenker. I love her lyricism. Joni Mitchell, for sure. I really like George Harrison, as well. Bonnie Rait really inspired me when I was finding my voice. I covered a lot of her music growing up.

SS: What about your musical lineage? This might be something that’s not tied to specific people or names.

TT: I feel like I’m writing within a songwriting tradition of folk and Americana, which are interesting because they have roots in the Appalachian Mountains. That’s not a place I’ve really spent any time, but that tradition of songwriting has really influenced me. The themes, the structures – my music is built around that. And, I feel like there are more and more young people embracing how good country music can be and writing within that style. So, I consider myself to be within that. My friend the other day called it the “Yeehaw Revival.” I like where I’m positioned in that, with how my songwriting and who I am as a person sort of toys with the norms of that tradition. I feel like my voice comes through and offers a fresh perspective.

SS: What’s been your experience with breaking into “the scene” in Durango?

TT: It’s tough, honestly. People talk about this town for its music scene, which is interesting because yes, it does have a lively scene, and … it’s not that diverse, there’s not that many genres represented and it relies a lot on who you know to get booked. A lot of times when you look at lineups and bills, it’s the same names. I like going to shows at Anarchy (Brewing) because I always get introduced to new bands. I don’t know if I’ve totally found my niche here, and I’d love to play with more people, playing in a bigger band. But yeah – trying to book gigs as a solo performer definitely can be challenging. 

SS: What do you think would make it less challenging?

TT: More venues, perhaps. It’s hard to get in the door, or people book out way in advance. Venues need budgets to pay for entertainment, and some venues aren’t able to do that. I also think more venues that are intimate would be helpful.

SS: What do you say to those readers who might have an inclination to start songwriting?

TT: I’m a big “Artist’s Way” person. I do truly believe that everyone has access to this creative current that’s running around us all the time. If you can give yourself the space and faith to tap into it, things that feel really good will emerge regardless of what the rest of the world will do with it. It’s worth taking a class, looking at some YouTube videos, trying to find little practices to make stuff. It’s good for ya.