Tiara & Andrew Flutter On Nimble Pop Ode “Willow”

Indie alt-pop duo Tiara & Andrew are looking to make a big splash in 2023. Currently, the pair is close to finalizing their second album, the follow-up to their acclaimed record Roller Skates from 2021. Before that comes out, the duo has been keeping busy with tour dates in and out of Virginia, and each member has also recently dropped two solo projects: April’s 80s Dream Land by Andrew Blackwell Jr. and May’s Tribe by Tiara Mustafa, both released through Grimalkin Records. Before all of this though, the band released a video for “Willow” as an audition for NPR’s Tiny Desk series, a song that hopefully points to the soothing sound that awaits listeners on their upcoming record.

As described by Tiara in the opening of the video, “Willow” is “basically an homage to this planet and how life imitates art and my obsession with trees.” That adoring devotion comes through the song’s delicate melody that glides over a soothing ukelele strum and gentle bass pulses. In the video, the duo performs in a solitary room, awash in the glow of natural light beaming through the windows. Simple yet effective, the shot enhances the incandescent talent from the duo that shines through each and every one of the songs. But the video also showcases more of Tiara & Andrew’s psyche. In the background, a psychedelic alien adorns the wall, pointing to the supernatural mysticism that’s a part of the duo’s identity, as discussed on their podcast Otherworldly which debuted in October of 2022.

Originally released on Soundcloud in June 2022, the song represents the best of Tiara & Andrew with expressive vocals relaying a personal ode over subtle but skilled instrumentation. It’s the style that made Tiara & Andrew such favorites within the Richmond music scene, leading to them being nominated for the inaugural Newlin Music Prize in 2022 and making their next record one of the region’s most anticipated releases for 2023. If “Willow” and the duo’s expansive solo offerings are any indication, that record is sure to knock listeners on their heels before they race to hit the repeat button on each song.

Watch the video for “Willow” below and make sure to follow Tiara & Andrew on social media to stay informed on future songs, videos, and concerts.