Some people are looking at my solo album, Tanya Morgan Presents: Don Cusack in High Fidelity, as the group breaking up or something. This is nowhere near the case. Actually, this is the part of the Tanya Morgan group process that usually goes unseen; that lapse between albums is usually filled with solo collaborations and hunting for inspiration.

Oddly enough, doing solo material is not really different than doing group material. We each submit song ideas and demos to the group, which ultimately means that certain songs on a Tanya Morgan album actually belongs to a specific group member. For instance, “She's Gone” (Brooklynati) and “Ode to Tanya” (Moonlighting) were both my song submissions to the group.

Even when touring, we hit the road together as a unit, meaning I'm not alone on that front either. Not much of a solo career when you size it up, huh?

Much to the contrary it is. As opposed to submitting ideas to the group, I am left to my own devices for the album’s duration this time around. One of the hardest parts of being solo for me is conjuring ideas that I feel are worthy of expansion. At times it's a lot easier to add on to a suggested topic than it is to find an idea that I don't instantly get bored with after a few bars.

I'm pretty critical of my art and at times require more of it than necessary, simply because I know people are listening now. Von Pea said something to me that I still hold on to, which is, "The people who like your music just want to hear your voice.”

This statement goes two ways. Yeah, they simply wanna hear your vocal tone but they also want your take on subjects from the rehashed to the innovative. They just want you to speak. They want to support. That doesn't mean give them anything, it just means give them something.

With that said I prefer being in a group. I started my rapping as a member of a group in college and I just love the bouncing of ideas and the energy of creation. However, being in a group lends itself to being a soloist because there are times where having personal creative space is extremely valuable.

Donwill
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