Jazztronica Collective Täpp Share RuPaul Drag Race Inspired Single “Aquaria” From Debut LP

Led by classically trained jazz violinist Rebekah Reid, classical jazztronica collective Täpp put out their new album i like what i do // i do what i like over the weekend. The debut release is a fusion of soul, jazz, hip-hop, electronic, and world music, fortified by their poignant storytelling. Building off the momentum, the group have shared their latest single “Aquaria”, inspired by the winner of Season 10 of RuPaul’s Drag Race.

Serving as an anthem to empower women, transgender/gender non-conforming people, and the greater LGBTQ+ community, the eclectic piece is intended to “encourage them to step into their light and shine like the gifts they are to the world”, explains Reid.

Replacing the lead role with her violin rather than her vocals, the experimental track highlights the versatility of the violin. She says, “I am determined to break down barriers for the violin and my identity as a black woman, the album is a personal project that demonstrates both the virtuosity and versatility of the violin by entrenching its sound in multiple contexts in a unique but accessible way, enabling myself to bring diverse music to new audiences, opening them up to new experiences.”

As a collaborative project, the album was conceived by musicians and creators from both London and Manchester, including poets, dancers and singers as well as drums/percussion, piano, electronics, sound engineers and more, and much of the work needed to be produced remotely due to the restrictions caused by lockdown and the COVID-19 pandemic. The compositional framework is based around Rebekah’s unique use of loop pedal ‘layering’ both live and in a studio setting in addition to improvisation, exploring the interplay between jazz harmony and classical composition, producing a unique tonal narrative that captures the imagination and tells a story.

Listen to “Aquaria” below and i like what i do // i do what i like here.