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Introducing Rox

Written by Vanessa Laker
Wednesday, 17 February 2010 05:30

Roxanne Tataei is the latest songstress to emerge from the soulful UK music scene. The 21-year-old South Londoner began performing at a young age when she used to sing at her grandmother's church.  Now a confident natural on the stage, it’s weird to think she once suffered from stage fright.

“I was performing at my auntie's wedding,” Rox recalls. “I must have been 10 or 11. I was so nervous I started crying,” she says. Her nerves may have got the better of her backstage, but after a pep talk from her family, the youngster put her nerves aside and took to the stage.

Ten years later and those nerves have been replaced with excitement and enthusiasm. “I love performing live now,” she declares. “It’s where I feel most comfortable. I love to connect with people through my music and performing live is the best way to do that,” she adds.

I went to see Rox live earlier this month at the Jazz Café as part of their ‘Next Big Thing’ event and it’s clear to see that the stage is where she feels most alive. She had a lot of energy and the kind of stage presence that is quite rare to see from a new artist, exuding attitude and confidence that emerges in a likable and relatable manner. The show definitely left me wanting to find out a bit more about the rising star.

When asked how it feels to finally have her debut single coming out, you can hear the excitement in her voice. “I’m excited and nervous all rolled into one, but more excited than anything,” she replies. “It’s been a long time coming. I’ve been waiting for this moment for such a long time. So I’m extremely happy and very ready for this moment.”

Rox has been crafting her skill for many years now, starting off singing in church, then performing regularly at primary school - this led to a countrywide tour with the National Youth Music Theatre.

“Performing with NYMT was a great learning experience,” she says. “It taught me how to be a real performer.”

Rox later went on to attend the Brits school of performing arts, sharing classes with fellow soul singer Adele. The performing arts school is well known for leading its students into the direction of chart success - past students include Leona Lewis and Kate Nash

“I think many people have this perception that it’s a school for people who just want to be famous, and that’s not the case,” she explains. “It focuses a lot on the business aspect of the industry as well.

“A lot of people who went there work in the industry behind the scenes, but you just don’t hear about them. It also gives musicians and performers in general, important knowledge about the industry,” she adds. Not to mention it’s just a stone throw away from the Norbury girl’s house - very convenient indeed.

Regardless of your thoughts on the Brits school, if you listen to Rox’s music you’ll know that you can’t just ‘box’ her into a group and her music style, sound and stage performances will set her apart from the others. The half Iranian, half Jamaican singer blends R&B and Soul with Reggae and Jazz, giving it a unique contemporary feel.

Growing up she admired the likes of Sade and Lauryn Hill, this is evident in her music style. Rox has a soulful sound that distinguishes her from her peers.

“Sade’s music is legendary. When I listen to her I drift away,” she says. “The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill is one of my favorite albums of all time. What Lauryn did with that was amazing, I still listen to that album very regularly,” she gushes. There’s a big excitement in her voice when she speaks about her idols and the music she likes. You can see that she’s a huge fan of music. “Oh and how can I forget Mary J Blige?” she continues. “Her early music is my favorite.”

Rox‘s debut album Memoirs is released in June. Recorded partly in London and New York, she worked with the same producers who’ve worked with Lauryn Hill (Commissioner Gordon – The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill) and JayZ (Al Shux – "Empire State of Mind").

“I’m so honored that I got to work with such amazing producers,” says a very overwhelmed Rox. “Working with Commissioner Gordon and Al shux was such a great experience, I learned so much from them.  I’m really overwhelmed that they chose to work with ‘little old me.’ It’s quite surreal.”

She’s performed with Mark Ronson and been the opening act for Raphael Saadiq and Daniel Merriweather, but now its Rox’s turn to take centre stage and be the main attraction. “Being an opening act and headlining your own show is a completely different ball game,” explains the singer songwriter. “When you’re the headliner there’s always more pressure,” she says.

Rox will be headlining her own show at the London Tabernacle 18th March. “I love performing live and I can’t wait for the Tabernacle show, this is the moment I’ve been waiting for.”

Judging from her performance at the Jazz Café, this show is likely to be a very entertaining one. She plays with a full live band, accompanied by backing singers. She’s very lively on the stage and engages with her audience quite a lot.

“I really like engaging with the audience during a live show. I think it’s very important to include them as much as I can. I just hope people can relate to my music and just enjoy it.”

Rox’s debut single “My Baby Left Me” is out 15th March on Rough Trade Records

Vanessa Laker is a freelance writer based in London & New York. Writing for a number of publications including Arise magazine, Beat magazine & Soulculture.

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