T-FINNY is a multi-genre artist with an evolving sonic style. Based in New Jersey, the artist crafts songs that address universal themes with personal perspectives. If you listen to his earlier releases in 2021, especially singles like “Smoke n Drive” and “New York City Night”, it distinctly pinpoints his passionate vocation and mellow style. His latest release, Sugar Pie, seamlessly carries his musical persona whilst diving into romantic skies of dreamy synths and lilting vocals. In a recent interview, we had with the artist, T-FINNY aka Tal Finberg, shares the roots of his music, beginning with his fascination with his mother’s piano playing as a child to tracing his artistic journey till today. Keep reading to uncover the story behind T-FINNY’s music!
1. We want to know the artist behind the art. Please tell us a little bit about your journey with music.
I have been making music for as long as I can remember. My mother was a trained concert pianist and when we immigrated to the United States, she was a part of many cover bands. I always admired her talent, but never really took an interest in learning from her, and am not exactly sure why. That being said, I picked up the guitar at a very young age and used music as more of a creative outlet than anything else. I always put ice hockey first and made it to the minor leagues, but quickly discovered that my actual calling was music. I had always used it as a way to get in touch with my true emotions but felt sad that I couldn’t share it with the world and connect with others through it. My mission in life shifted to mastering the art of music production and going on this journey of facing my biggest fear in life, which is sharing my music, my art, and my feelings.
2. What is the significance of your musical moniker T-FINNY? And how did it come to be adopted as your artist name?
It's nothing crazy. My full name is Tal Finberg, but since the majority of people that would hear that name or search it on Google, would find a hockey player, I needed to change it up. Originally, I was releasing under FINNY, but once I decided that I would release new music that I actually produced, I needed to re-brand. And not to mention, there already was another FINNY so I saw that there was T-Pain who I admire so much as he represents music being a business in such a clear way and also jumps around from genre to genre, in a way that I could only try to emulate, I thought it was fitting. I kind of did it on a limb, but I’m sticking with it. It has always been my nickname anyways.
3. Your latest single, Sugar Pie has just come out. What did you set out to achieve with it and what do you want your listeners to take away from it?
Sugar Pie is a bit of a roller coaster for me. I probably wrote the whole thing in an hour or so. My girlfriend and I at the time were doing long distance… don’t want to get in any more detail about that… but she was starting to go out a bit more than usual, and I am not a jealous person, in fact I may be too self-absorbed to be, but I started to feel a bit of a discomfort. So I wrote this song as more of an anthem for myself. To get me out of that jealous mind space and convince myself that I really do trust her. I hope that when people listen to it they can feel that too. It isn’t easy when your significant other goes out without you, no matter who you are and how confident you claim to be, so I hope that this song can help at least one person that is dealing with, or has every dealt with this feeling.
4. Can you tell us a little about your creative process? Who are some artists who played a vital role in influencing your style and why?
I have a hard time crediting a singular artist, because all of my music comes from within, and I have been inspired by almost every single genre at some point in my life, which has helped me find my sound. So its hard to say, but I was listening to a lot of bands like Phoenix, Milky Chance, and The 1975 at the time. I am not sure if that’s who inspired me to make Sugar Pie, but I guess you can see some similarities if you really try
5. What rising trends do you see in the music industry that you would like to jump aboard at some point?
I know it isn’t the most advisable way to go about business, but I want to stay in my own lane. I try to post on social media like Instagram and Tiktok (@finnyrecords) to keep my fans and friends entertained, but I am not overly aggressive with it. Over time, as the brand grows, I would definitely want to direct some top notch music videos for my music as well as have a tour. I hope that answers that question.
6. If you had to impart some words of wisdom to upcoming artists, what are some realities that you would alert them to?
Stop making excuses. I am a victim of it myself, but any time you don’t do something, someone else is. And you are the CEO of yourself. If you don’t achieve the results you want, you are the only one to blame. SO if you start, keep going. An if you haven’t started, well at least try, because you don’t want to look back one day and think “What if.”
7. What projects/releases do you have lined up for the near future?
I have a lot of new music coming in the next couple of weeks that I am very excited for. By the time, this interview is public, I should have Sing U 2 Sleep Out as well as the remix with my very good friend and producer illgorythmz. In June, I am releasing a song that I started in 2020 called Arizona Iced Tea. In July, I’ll have a collaboration with illgorythmz and another very talented producer and a mutual friend of ours seltzr and that song is going to be a game changer. It is called “Eyes were blue” so be sure to check that one out on July 7th!
Discovered via https://app.musosoup.com #sustainablecurator