Interview → Tatum Langley (Post Modern Jukebox)

 

Ahead of their Australian Tour, I was fortunate enough to interview Tatum Langley from Postmodern Jukebox!

Tatum has charmed the audiences of cozy jazz clubs & intimate cabaret venues, as well as shaken the rafters of internationally-renowned performance spaces across the globe such as The London Palladium, Sydney Opera House, and Royal Albert Hall. She regularly tours globally with musical sensation “Postmodern Jukebox,” and will be gracing us here in Adelaide for their one night only show as part of the Adelaide Cabaret Festival! 

Tatum shared many insightful answers about her influences, the importance of engaging with the arts, and what Adelaide can expect from a PMJ show! Enjoy!

QUESTION 1: Looking back on your incredible career so far, what was it that first drew you to performing and what have been some career highlights? 

If you ask my mom, she’ll tell you that I have been singing and performing since I was born. I have always been so drawn to all things music, dance, theatre, and performing, but looking back I can recall so many moments of listening to big band CDs with my mom, grandma, and sister. Someone would pop one of these CDs into our little karaoke CD player and I would spend hours jumping and dancing around the house to the music. When I was old enough to start auditioning for local theatre groups, everything just fell into place. I had never experienced something that felt so natural to me. I love the challenge and allure of creating new characters onstage, and being able to tell stories and connect with people, whether that be with scene partners onstage, or with audience members at a show. I have been so fortunate to forge a career for myself that balances my passion for theatre with my love of jazz music. Not only do I get to tour the world with Postmodern Jukebox and bring all sorts of music and sometimes pretty crazy characters to stages in many different countries, but I also get to perform in more intimate jazz sets, and write original cabaret shows for my communities back home in Chicago. No matter what type of performing I am doing, it always stems from my love of storytelling through song & dance. Performing is such a full body & spirit experience for me!

QUESTION 2: Who are some of your biggest musical influences? 

Some of my earliest musical influences are Louis Prima, Billie Joe Armstrong, Ethel Merman, and Lady Gaga. I know… it’s quite a strange mix! However, something that all these artists have in common is their ability to command a crowd, and their absolute honesty onstage. When I listen to Louis Prima records, I can HEAR how much fun him & the audience are both having. He was such a master of staying present with his band and with the room he was in. I long to time travel back to the golden era of big band jazz in Vegas and see him (and similar performances like the Rat Pack). Billie Joe Armstrong and Lady Gaga have never been afraid to break the mold and present the art that they truly wanted to present - they are bold & fearless!

QUESTION 3: You have had quite the career touring with PMJ and they have a HUGE worldwide fanbase! How would you describe a PMJ show to someone who has never heard of them before? 

I always like to describe Postmodern Jukebox as a vintage-style variety show featuring songs you already know & love, spun in a way you will fall in love with all over again. The concept of PMJ’s live performance is so unique, especially in this day and age, because we are doing absolutely everything 100% live with no prerecorded tracks, no autotune, no lip syncing, AND we feature a rotating cast of diverse singers, tap dancers, and musicians - not many bands these days operate like an old-style traveling variety show would’ve. Seeing the show multiple times across multiple years is a fantastic way to discover new talent, new songs, and new vintage styles. It really is quite special.

QUESTION 4: What has been your favourite song to cover and why? 

It’s hard to choose a favourite song, but I did a cover of Faith Hill’s “This Kiss” with Postmodern Jukebox, and just had an absolute blast with it! It was one of my favourite shoot days I have had with the band, and not only was the arrangement so fun and felt so true to who I am as a singer and performer, but the hair, makeup, and costume they put me in were DARLING! I was just overflowing with joy that day, and have thoroughly enjoyed singing it on tour, though it is not currently in the setlist! You’ll have to come to the show to see the other tunes I’ve been singing…

QUESTION 5: If you could give one modern song the Postmodern Jukebox treatment that hasn't been done yet, what would it be and why? 

Well… I DO have another PMJ video coming out sometime soon and it would be my answer to this question, but I can’t spoil it quite yet! However, another song I’d love to give the PMJ treatment to would be “I’m Just A Girl” by No Doubt. I also would LOVE to do something by Raye! I think her style would lend itself to ours very harmoniously.

QUESTION 6: One of the goals of Theatre Diaries is to inspire young people to connect with the arts, why do you think the arts remain important for young people today? 

First of all, I love that goal and I love that that is something Theatre Diaries is focused on. Not only are the arts an absolutely wonderful way to explore your own creativity, expression, and identity, but they are also such a key way in which we can connect to each other as humans. Growing up, performing onstage allowed me to build confidence in not only my craft, but also as a person offstage as well. Being heavily involved in theatre allowed me to step into the shoes of someone else and empathise with different characters, circumstances, and relationships. Being involved now in the jazz world has taught (and challenged) me to stay present with those around me, and learn how to collaborate in honest ways. I also think many people feel they have to BE the one onstage to engage with the arts… but that is so not true! I am always sure to tell my audience members that they should recognise their contribution to the live performance, because they too are bringing an energy and an element to it. Live performances are such a simple way we can connect with other humans, take the time to put our devices down, listen to stories and music and let them touch our souls, and find a common connection between every single person in the room whether they are onstage, backstage, or in the audience. I could really go on forever about the importance of the arts for people of all ages!

QUESTION 7: What can Adelaide audiences expect from 'The Future is Vintage' tour?

Adelaide can expect to feel both transported back in time, and forward. This tour specifically is focused on recentering the importance of music back to humans. We are taking our vintage-inspired variety show and inviting the audience to a performance that has specifically chosen to reject certain modernities such as autotune, pre-recorded backing tracks, etc. It’s a reminder that humans are making this whole production happen, and that is a really special and beautiful thing. The title is also a bit of a take on the concept “everything old is new again”... we’re singing songs you already know & love, just in an old school way. 

QUESTION 8: What do you hope audience members feel as they leave the theatre after a PMJ show? 

I hope the audience members feel uplifted, joyful, and more connected to the people (and music)

around them. It’s hard not to get up and dance along by the end of our show!

You can catch Tatum and the rest of the cast of Postmodern Jukebox on Sunday 21st June at the Festival Theatre, as part of the Adelaide Cabaret Festival! Book Tickets Here!