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Off the Record features interviews with local and national musicians as aired on WKNC 88.1 FM HD-1/HD-2.
Off the Record - Tanner York
Meeting created at: 7th Jul, 2026 - 3:33 PM
00:00
the martyroshka
Hey there. You're currently listening to WKNC 88.1 FM HD-1 Raleigh.
00:05
the martyroshka
We're North Carolina State University's student run radio station and I'm the martyroshka. This is off the Record, our interview segment, if you're unaware of that. So stay tuned if that's something that's up your alley. Joining us today is an upcoming artist from North Carolina. We've got in our rotation Tanner York. And if you feel comfortable, why don't you go ahead and introduce yourself. Tanner.
00:30
Tanner York
Hello, my name is Tanner. I am a North Carolinian musician. And thank you for taking the time to talk with me.
00:44
the martyroshka
Yeah, yeah, I've been hearing your stuff as of late and it's been really good stuff. It's been being passed around the WKNC circles. So I thought it would be a good idea to, you know, try to give you a spotlight, put you on the air and get some insight into the way you operate, I guess.
01:01
Tanner York
Thank you so much.
01:02
the martyroshka
Thanks for that introduction. Now that we've got that out of the way, I wanted to ask, what parts of North Carolina do you consider home, given that you spent a lot of the time recording your latest album in a myriad of places? I feel like you'd be able to answer that question best yourself. So why don't you let the listeners know where you consider home?
01:27
Tanner York
Well, I grew up in Cary, so my entire life up until university was in Cary. And that's where like I learned to record and it's where I learned how to play instruments. And I played shows through like School of Rock program in Cary. And so that was like some of my first experience with playing music live. And then I saw a lot of shows when they would come to like Durham and Raleigh and that was very formative. So Cary is definitely like where I'm from, but I definitely kind of came into my own way more once I got to Asheville just because there's such a thriving DIY scene here and it's, you know, DIY shows have such a built in crowd, so.
02:26
Tanner York
And there's so many wonderful, creative people and good friends here that are also doing cool stuff that love to collaborate and stuff like that. So right now Asheville definitely feels like home, but I'm definitely from like raised my entire life in Cary.
02:46
the martyroshka
Anyway, Tanner, are there any Asheville artists that you would consider, like collaborators or influences that you'd like to talk about right now?
02:59
Tanner York
Yeah, like for the first two years that I was in university, I was rooming with Evren Centeno. Who has now moved to Chicago and is part of the three people that run the Trash Tape label, which put out my first record. And we spent so much time growing together with recording and finding each other's taste and introducing each other to stuff. And definitely I see Evren as a huge influence on me. But, like, currently the two. Two guys that are in my band are from my favorite Asheville band, which is Dish, and I kind of stole them temporarily for however, h. owever long they will stay with me. And also Jacob Prybilski, who plays second guitar. And my band is a huge collaborator with me. And those are the people I'd say I'm most often collaborating with.
04:09
the martyroshka
Yeah, that's really cool. I've heard a lot. Obviously, as someone from Raleigh, I've only really heard about the Asheville DIY scene, but I've heard really good things about it. So it's really interesting to see that. It's like you'd consider your project, I guess, an amalgamation of the people you're around. Is that true?
04:30
Tanner York
For sure. Like, I. When I got to Asheville, I saw Dish pretty early on. I saw, like a Dish show, and I was like, oh, I really have to step it up. And it, like, it really lights a fire under you and makes you want to pour everything you have. Not necessarily. Like, I wasn't too influenced by genre or anything because I was always a pop guy and not too many other people were doing that, but it was more the attitude that I was definitely influenced by and learning the ropes of a DIY scene and everything like that.
05:15
the martyroshka
Yeah. So speaking of the pop you play, I think now would be a good time for us to interject a track from Tanner York's latest album, Welcome to the Shower. And that track is going to be Girlfriend. After we play this track, we're going to follow it up with some more questions about his music, so stay tuned.
05:55
Tanner York - Girlfriend
I heard that you got a girlfriend, and I know she's crazy about you. In my world, she doesn't deserve you, but you have a girlfriend. She loves you just fine. I heard she gave you a tattoo, of your dog that recently died. I heard you're naked without her, unbeatable girlfriend. How I wish she were mine. Counting the days till she sends you on the road again and I'll be there, pick you up and bring you home. Well I heard there's something a. bout her that keeps you from wanting to cry. But I could be everything she is when you have a girlfriend, I'm not on your mind.
08:19
the martyroshka
Anyway, that was a great track. I really -. I really liked it. I really like, the stuff I've heard off of welcome to the Shower. And what I wanted to hear from you is, how would you clarify your music? Because I can tell there's a lot of power pop influence I feel on this record. Some artists that I felt reminded of upon listening were, I don't know, Jon Brion, Big Star, the Lemon Twigs. Those are what came to mind. I was wondering how you would categorize it, because that's just the way I see it personally. So feel free to, like, correct me or repudiate me because you know your music better. Of course. Enlighten us.
09:03
Tanner York
Yeah, I'm a giant. A giant Jon Brion fan. All those bands are real big influences on me. Definitely. Beach Boys, Beatles. As far as, like, I remember seeing the Elephant 6 documentary that, like, detailed that whole scene, and that really inspired me. Like, I think I immediately bought, like, a Tascam Porta Studio, and that's what a lot of the album was done on because it has such a specific sound and such a specific workflow that elicits a certain type of music, I feel like. And a certain mood that I was very captured by. So a lot of a mix of, like, the biggest bands of all time, like the Beatles and Beach Boys and, like, really little tape bands and just trying to.
10:02
Tanner York
Because there's, like, a lot of crossover in the enjoyability of, like, the Beatles versus, like, Olivia Tremor Control or something like that. Like, even though one is much more low production value.
10:15
the martyroshka
No, no, definitely. I get that, like, pop, in my opinion, is a very diverse genre. And, like, it's really good when you can, like, consolidate that sound into, like, something really cool. Like, you take these disparate influences and combine them into something, like, wholly unique. So something I wanted to, like, piggyback off of. Regarding your, like, creation process for welcome to the Shower, is there any particular, like, ethos you subscribe to while making the album? Like, for example, certain aspects you wanted to, like, make the listener think of, emphasize, or maybe even, like, something you wanted to, like, you know, put under wraps, maybe.
10:54
Tanner York
I was definitely going for, like, a mix of, like, trying to be funny with lyrics and sounds. Like, making choices that, like, would almost make you laugh or something like that, but also never. The goal being to never to remain funny without losing, like, sincerity or, like, without. While maintaining heart in the music. Like, I didn't want to be, like, ironic or anything like that. I just wanted to be funny. And, like, I guess the mood I'm trying to give off with that one, I was. I was trying to make Something very fun to listen to.
11:45
Tanner York
So it was definitely in service of like the way I was writing songs at that point was very economical and concerned about listener attention span and like, have they heard this chorus too many times and like hence like a lot of the songs being like under two minutes or something like that. And I think that tape is really great for that and that workflow because it's just like it legitimizes those bite sized songs. So I was also trying to move really fast, like move on from stuff that I didn't think sounded perfect or like this vocal could use more compression, but I've already bounced it, so. And I'm too lazy to go and I go bounce it again and I just want to move on to the next song.
12:42
Tanner York
I think that was a big part of the kind of rushed, janky vibe of it where like I spent a lot of time on arrangement and stuff like that. But then in execution it's done very hastily and like, or it's done very like slipshod, I'd say. And I think that's part of the funny kind of thing about it where it's like, it's not too serious.
13:12
the martyroshka
Yeah, yeah. In that way I kind of see why you were so influenced by the Elephant 6. Because in my opinion that really does like jive with the way they oriented their music. You know what I mean? Like when I think of the bands in that scene. So I, I, I get where you're coming from if like that's your inspiration.
13:35
Tanner York
Yeah, it was definitely like their whole ethos was like giant for me and completely changed my world.
13:44
the martyroshka
So thanks for that. I wanted to follow up that question with another one about Welcome to the Shower. Like namely, why do you pick that name? Is it like just an extension of the like, we're trying to be funny here, we're trying to not take it so seriously aspect?
14:01
Tanner York
Yeah, I, that came - t. hat's like one of the only times like something like I was sleeping on my friend's floor and I had like a dream that the album had come out and it was called welcome to the Shower and it was doing really well. And that was after we had taken the album cover photo. We were just taking a bunch of photos in weird places. So it like all connected. It was like the night we took the photo, I had that dream and so I was like, I guess like I had no other ideas so I thought I'd do that. And again, it definitely is part of the whole not taking it too seriously and Being funny, or at least I found it funny. But like, I. With. And then, like, I made an interlude track, like the. The title track.
14:58
Tanner York
I made that afterwards just to make it kind of feel like it makes any sense in the album at all. And I. Yeah, that's another one that's, like, meant to be very funny.
15:11
the martyroshka
Yeah, that's really interesting. I would never would have kind of thought that you, like, kind of worked backwards there. That's really. I really appreciate the insight there. Anyway, I kind of wanted to ask another question about the creative process being, like, what exactly did this album look like when you in, like, the first conceptual stages compared to where it is now with the released project? Like, do you think there were some great, like, changes you had to make in order to make this something that was actually released? Or does it, like, align very well with what you intended it to be?
15:52
Tanner York
Well, I. I never am able to, like. I'm not the type of person that's able to conceptualize, like, an entire release before it happens. Like, I just kind of make songs and then, like, whatever headspace I'm in for that, like, year that I'm writing those songs, hopefully we'll have some sort of cohesion. But I definitely, like, had older songs that I recorded in order to have them fit the vibe of the rest of the album. More like Museum Broadway had already been finished, but it just. I just didn't like how it sounded on my computer. And so I. I redid it. More tapey, I think. And I guess. Yeah. That I'm not. Yeah, I'm never. As of yet. I haven't been able to, like, visualize a release right until the last moment.
16:57
the martyroshka
So you'd say it's like. It's something that's like a process in and of itself. The creative process. Like, it becomes a project as it goes on. Like, it develops like that interesting.
17:10
Tanner York
It, like, rolls into, like, snowballs eventually into something that feels like a unit instead of just a hodgepodge of singles.
17:21
the martyroshka
Yeah, because when I was listening to this release, I never would have guessed how, like, ramshackle you imagine it to because it felt very cohesive with the production all being, like, very in. In line with each other. Songs segueing into each other pretty well. Like, to me, it was a more cohesive project. So I find it really interesting that you're offering a different perspective, I guess.
17:44
Tanner York
Yeah, definitely. Some of that's after the fact, like, a lot of, like, mastering everything through the same tape machine. That's, like, a really weird tape machine. That has a very specific, like, EQ curve. It just glues everything together and that helps where it's like, things don't sound drastically different from each other in a way that's, like, jarring and also, like, cutting things off at the right time and cutting songs off and, like, I don't know, it. It did all happen very last minute where it's like, I need this to feel like I need momentum and I need to retain momentum. And, you know, it's just like, little choices. Yeah.
18:41
the martyroshka
All right. Yeah. I really appreciate the way you've shed some light onto the creative process. So we're going to take a break to play another track from Tanner York. If you're just tuning in. Tanner York is who we are interviewing at this moment, and we are going to be playing another track from his newest album, Being All Over Again. After that, we'll return with some more questions.
19:39
Tanner York - all over again
I got the message when you left I don't know was the wrong way to accept. I didn't think that love could make my little heart feel that much pain but now you tried and call my name it's happening all over again. I'd never leave you in the dust like you Once again In a couple months.
20:32
Tanner York - all over again
Now so once I could die you get my message don't reply My love is mine and only mine Is happening all over again Back to the time when we first met all over again to all in moments I regret if we go back to how it was when you and I Had so much trust when it was you and I or bust don't go and leave me in that dust Cause you are always on my mind I think about you all the time in every word and every rhyme.
22:07
the martyroshka
Anyway, now that track's over, I wanted to have a few questions about some of the opportunities I've seen that you've been able to finagle, such as opening for Wednesday. I'd love to know how that experience was, working with them in that aspect and anything else you'd like to divulge about it.
22:28
Tanner York
Yeah, they, of course, pretty much the Asheville band that, like, so many people were, like, moving to Asheville because of Wednesday and MJ Lenderman. And I was lucky enough to meet Carly after, like, a secret show in Asheville. And we just became really good friends. And I would send her music and then, like, stuff like that. And then eventually she asked me to open one of the Cat's Cradle shows because they were adding another show. And I was super psyched about that. And that Was like one of the best nights of my life. It was like. So a lot of the reason is like my whole family, like my whole mom's side of the family was there, like on the side dancing. And that was really cute. But everyone was just extremely supportive. My band seemed really happy. And it felt like.
23:42
Tanner York
It felt like an extremely beautiful moment. And then, of course, like, I've seen Wednesday so many times now and like, it never gets old. They're just so insanely good live. It's kind of insane. But, yeah, they're. They're the nicest people in the entire world. And they. Yeah, it was an incredible experience.
24:13
the martyroshka
Yeah, I could imagine. I've seen two Wednesday shows myself, and they're some of the best concerts I've been to so to like be part of one, t. hat's just kind of amazing to me. Just sharing my own thoughts.
24:27
Tanner York
Yeah, it was very surreal. Definitely.
24:33
the martyroshka
Yeah. In a similar vein, I wanted to talk about someone you've got opening for you at your New York tour stop for the concert tour being Ivy Wolk. I wanted to ask, how'd you finagle that? Given that, you know, she's a bit of a hard person to get ahold of, from what I've heard. Given that she's in a lot of pretty big projects, how do you manage to get her to open for your show?
25:00
Tanner York
She's another really good friend of mine. I was introduced to her from a friend and we. I think she's like one of the funniest people I've ever met in my entire life and extremely wise beyond her years. And she's a, s. he's an incredible person. And we. I, I started. I was doing a ton of comedy before I really dove fully into music. I was doing a lot of stand up. So she was a big influence on me because she's such an incredible stand up and that's like, I guess, like doing comedy, you get to know people like that are doing comedy. So it's like, that's how I, I know her, is through comedians, various comedians.
26:08
Tanner York
But yeah, so I asked her, I asked her to open one of my shows with another one of my favorite comedians who is also one of my favorite standouts right now. And yeah, she seemed very. I'm hoping it works out because she's, you know, there's no telling how busy she is at any moment. So. No, but I bet it'll happen. You know, I hope it happened. I think it'd be funny. I think it'll be funny. Like to have two comedians go and then a really loud band. I think just that. And it's like something fun.
27:10
the martyroshka
Yeah, I guess that aligns with your ethos.
27:14
Tanner York
Yeah, I feel like it works. Mm, we'll see.
27:19
the martyroshka
Anyway, I meant to ask this earlier, but I forgot. That's on me. But I wanted to ask, you've got a multi state tour coming up, could you let us know how you managed to set that up? Tanner, I can't imagine that's something you can organize in just a day or two. So. Yeah. How'd that happen?
27:39
Tanner York
Definitely not. It was pretty excruciating. It was a lot of work. I did it with one of my closest friends, Emily Moosberger, and she known her since like freshman year of college, like day one. And we just stuck it out. DM'd. Everyone emailed everyone. Like it's so many moving parts and it's so opposite what I enjoy about like doing stuff like this. But look, you have to do that stuff. You have to do the not fun stuff if you want to play a DIY tour. And I think we pulled it off. We just got our Pittsburgh day locked in, which was our last problem. And we just have to, you know, figure out our man situation. It's. It's a lot, but. And it was extremely hard, but I'd say like probably relatively. We had a very good experience with people.
28:49
Tanner York
Like, band seemed very happy to play and everyone was being very hospitable and there was no like huge discouraging moments, like stressful moments.
29:05
the martyroshka
So anyway, while I have you, I wanted to ask a few more frivolous questions like as to better paint a picture of you not just an artist, but, you know, as a person. So what have you been getting up to outside of music with your free time? If you've got any. Anything interesting.
29:24
Tanner York
I watch a lot of movies, like on my TV in my room. It's like really the only other thing I do. I watch a lot of movies. I watch a lot of really bad movies and like horror movies. It's kind of just very comforting to me. And then other than that, I don't do a ton outside of music. I really should. I've been getting back into reading books. I. I wasn't for a while and I just realized it was probably bad for my brain to not be reading. So I'm reading like this really good. I think it's like a classic rock novel. It's called Our Band Could Be Your Life. And it's like about the indie scene from the 80s to the 90s. And it is really thorough and funny, and I've been really enjoying that.
30:34
the martyroshka
All right, that's really cool. That's really cool. So I guess even things outside of your career as an artist end up being influenced by that. Like your pastimes?
30:49
Tanner York
Yeah, definitely. I mean, like, I also read, like. Like, fiction and stuff like that, but, like, I do, like, a rock book.
31:00
the martyroshka
Makes sense. Makes sense. Anyway, this will be the last question of the interview, so I'll try to let you have the floor. Is there anyone or anything you want to shout out on the air while you have the time? Like collaborators, inspirations? Basically, anything you think that's relevant right now. Anything in mind?
31:23
Tanner York
Well, I've been so obsessed with this guy, Graham Hunt. I don't know if you know about Graham Hunt. This guy, like, is making my favorite music that's coming out right now, and we played with him at Static Age Records, which is like kind of the DIY venue in Asheville currently, and it blew me away. And his music is so crazy good. So everyone should go listen to Graham Hunt Static Age. Go to Static Age shows if you're in Asheville. Heyday Music is the guitar store that I work at in Asheville, and it's the most beautiful place on earth. And, yeah, I recommend it to anyone.
32:23
the martyroshka
All right, that's really cool. Tanner, I really appreciated having you on your program and letting you just tell us about yourself and your art. I wish you the best regarding your upcoming tour for welcome to the Shower. I really do hope it goes swimmingly, and I personally will try to make that Durham spot if I can.
32:46
Tanner York
That'll be fun.
32:47
the martyroshka
This has been the martyroshka, and if you've got a desire for more interviews, check out wknc.org/podcast and give a listen to off the Record's prior interviews. Thank you to everyone who tuned in and stay tuned for more interviews in the future. Goodbye.
Transcribed by https://fireflies.ai/