After a short break, Berlin-based musician Tender Games is back in full effect with “You Got Me“. This infectous and soulful pop song will get you right in the dancing mood. To celebrate this release, we have talked with Tender Games about his influences, his self-learning approach and his projects!
Hi, to begin, can you introduce yourself briefly?
Hello my name is Ulrich Harrison aka Tender Games. I’m a Jamaican/German Singer and Producer from Berlin, Germany.
When and how did the project Tender Games start?
The project started of as a collaborative act consisting of Marlon Hoffstadt and myself. We started out in 2013 but our debut album came out in 2014. By now I am doing the project alone though since Marlon doesn´t really have time anymore.
I’ve read that you learnt music by yourself, can you explain us your approach to do so?
Yes Sure. Basically my wish was to play guitar in order to write and perform folk songs. Back then I was heavy into folk and singer/songwriter stuff in general so I started of by searching Youtube for guitar tutorials. Luckily there are tons of good people making great videos and I practiced every day.
As soon as I could play a little, I started writing songs. The same goes for keys, there are a few gospel/soul players who do tutorials. I watch those ’til this day and learn new things each time.
You have very diverse influences ranging from reggae to jazz, how do you combine all of them in your productions?
That´s a tough one. Tender Games has always been about combining styles and switching through genres. I try to learn new chords and techniques every week still so I think those influences come kind of naturally.
I like to think that I absorb all sorts of feelings and vibes through listening and it´ll come out through my work in some way.
One day I search for neo-soul chords and another I might be listening to Arthur Russel or Roots Reaggae. I like to think that I absorb all sorts of feelings and vibes through listening and it´ll come out through my work in some way.
You have just released the track “You Got Me”, can you tell us more about it?
Of course, ‘You Got Me‘ is my first single in kind of a long time. It has a light feel to it and is a playful, yet soulful track. I am beyond happy to be releasing new music and I think this song perfectly fits with what Tender Games is about. I really hope people will receive this one well 🙂
Can we expect other releases this year?
Hopefully yes. But the plan is to release a few singles this year which are all almost ready. And if everything goes as planned I will produce another album too.
You are based in Berlin, what do you think of the electronic music scene there?
I think it is a great scene. And I mean that apart from the big machinery and the tourism. You got your big name clubs which are well known. But I rarely vistit them.
I think the beauty about Berlin is, that there is still a huge underground scene.
I think the beauty about Berlin is, that there is still a huge underground scene and if you´re really about the music you can have the time of your life in virtually unknown clubs or newly opened ones. That also goes for all sorts of genres, not just techno.
To conclude, can you tell us who’s your favorite artist at the moment?
Hmm there a few actually. But I newly discovered Lord Echo – he´s a great producer with a unique style. Apart from that I love Knxwledge, Alfa Mist, Tom Misch, Yussef Kamaal. The list goes on & on.. I think R&B, Soul and Jazz is in a really good place at the moment.
Thanks to Tender Games! Listen to his new song “You Got Me”, out now via Different Spring, and follow him online: SoundCloud | Facebook