Meet TGRDN Music | Musician, Mom, & Wedding Planner

We had the good fortune of connecting with TGRDN Music and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi TGRDN, what do you think makes you most happy? Why?
The things that make me the most happy at this time in my life are my husband, my kids, wedding planning (which I also do as a job), and music, obviously. Getting back to myself after having two kids back to back has been an eye opening and incredibly fulfilling experience. I’m just happy to be more like me again.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I am a musician/singer. I write and perform my own original music which leans towards Neo-Soul/RnB/Pop with some elements of jazz and funk thrown in. I think my personal style sets me apart from others but I also really pride myself on creating lyrics that are poetic and can have multiple meanings and also creating melody lines that are intriguing to the ear.

I am most excited about this year and some new music I’m working on releasing. Nothing is set in stone, but it’s definitely in the works! I haven’t released anything new since 2017, so I’m really excited.

A lot of blood, sweat, and tears for sure. It’s been a struggle to get to the place that I am now. I definitely haven’t arrived but I am really proud of how set I am in my sound and what I want to do now. I think being older and coming back to my music has really solidified that for me and that has made me even more thankful for what I get to do. So no, not easy at all. I’ve gone through so many gigs, band mates, recordings, etc. trying to find what my sound was and trying to gain respect for what I do as well. I think a lot of people may look at me and think that I may be one way but then they hear me sing and it shifts their perspectives which is fun now but was a hard hurdle to overcome when I was younger.

I just want the world to know that you should never judge a book by it’s cover and that you’re never too old to give up on your dreams.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
So I’m new to Atlanta as of the last year buuuuut what I will say is, my husband and I LOVE coffee so I would take them to Gilly Brew Bar, Academy Coffee, Brash Coffee (to see my hubs), PERC, East Pole, and Tuesdays in Marietta to name a few. As far as drinks go, the Sherry list at 8ARM is the literal best. I’m a big Sherry fan.

I really love walking the belt line, going to the Aquarium, spending time outdoors. The BBQ spot by Oakland Cemetery was one of the best spots I’ve been (the cemetery itself is pretty cool too). Jojo’s Beloved is a must go for me as well. Buford Highway is another spot I would definitely take them to. Being from SoCal, I love all of the variety and different cultures represented.

For some other low key options, I would take them to Ponce City Market, Krog Street Market, or Piedmont Park is a fun one too!

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
There are a lot of people that I think deserve credit. Obviously, my husband Mark and my kids for keeping me sane, my mom Crissy has always been my #1 fan and deserves a shoutout, my fellow musicians and bandmates back in San Diego, especially my friend Julius who has had my back like crazy in this journey. My friends and family who have always supported me mean the world to me as well. So many people to thank!

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