Tanaya Harper – Emma
Tanaya Harper is a member of Australian bands Bells Rapids and Ghost Care, but also started a solo career in 2017. Since then, the Perth-based singer-songwriter released two EP’s. Emma is her brand-new single. Fans of fellow Aussie Ali Barter are very likely to love this!
Emma channels ‘90s indie rock and noughties indie pop, resulting in R.E.M.– vs. The Bangles-like jangle pop. Its melodic guitar parts, energetic drum beats and sing-along chorus make it instantly likeable.
Harper is well-known for her intimate lyrics about her own experiences with depression, anxiety and living with bipolar disorder. This new single is just as personal. It’s both a catchy post-breakup song and an ode to recklessness.
She shares: “Emma is a sad song thinly veiled as a fun song. It’s about a couple months of recklessness I embarked on following a breakup. At the time I felt totally justified in my actions when really, grief and denial were always looming. I was partying pretty hard and having lots of fun with all my friends but once I was alone it would just hit me, all the confusion and unresolved issues and the ‘what ifs?’.”
For more great new music, follow the constantly updated Carte Blanche Music playlist.

I’m a music industry watcher and journalist. Worked at a CD club, a record store chain and was editor in chief of an entertainment trade magazine. Have been in the radio business since 1987, producing and presenting shows. Was music director of several stations. Also, I developed the European Border Breakers Chart, Music Moves Europe Talent Chart and ESNS Chart. CEO of Werner Bros. tekst | uitleg.
Discussions — No responses yet