MC Tali

Natalia Sheppard (née Scott, born in 1976), better known by her stage names MC Tali and Tali, is a New Zealand[2] drum and bass artist, best known for her 2004 hit "Lyric on My Lip", which reached #39[3] in the UK Singles Chart.[4] Tali has also worked with prominent artists, such as former Mercury Music Prize nominee Roni Size. Tali prefers to go by the name "Tali" when singing and songwriting acoustically or live, preferring to use 'MC" whenever she is hosting a drum and bass event. In November 2019 Tali won the Vodafone New Zealand Music Award for Best Electronica Artist for her 2018 album "Love & Migration".[5]

MC Tali
Birth nameNatalia Scott
Born1976 (age 43–44)[1]
Taranaki, New Zealand
GenresDrum and bass
Years active1996 - present
LabelsTALIMUSIC, AudioPorn Records, Full Cycle Recordings
Associated actsRoni Size, Andy C, Adam F, Ed Rush, LTJ Bukem

Biography

Originally from a dairy farm in Taranaki, Tali moved to the UK in 2001 to follow her dreams of becoming a top international MC. After signing to the legendary Full Cycle Label owned and run by Roni Size, Tali went on to release her first album Lyric on my Lip with a UK top 40 single and worldwide tour. The album featured production from Roni Size, Krust, Die and featured guest vocals from Dynamite MC. From here she collaborated with some of the scene's most prolific names in both production and DJ/MC shows, working alongside people such as Goldie, Fabio, Grooverider, Shy FX, Dirtyphonics, Ed Rush, E-Z Rollers, The Freestylers, Calibre, DJ Marky and many more.

When Full Cycle disbanded in 2006, Tali moved to London for a change of scenery and music. Disillusioned with the drum and bass scene, and suffering from depression and anxiety,[6] she began working alongside hip hop duo First Man, and from here collaborated with MC’s including Skinnyman, Blak Twang, Ti2bs and Sincere. From this came her compilation CD Do It for Yourself.

After regaining her confidence in 2008, Tali began MCing out and about on the drum and bass circuit once again. Her skills earned her “Best Female MC” at the Drum n Bass Awards three years in a row from 2008 to 2010.[7][8] Afterwards, Tali signed to AudioPorn Records and released Dark Days, High Nights which features collaborations with Lynx, Dirtyphonics, Dodge and Fuski, Fourward, Noisses, Shimon, Ed Rush and SKisM.[9] Tali also released a live studio version of this album in collaboration with indie/folk band More Like Trees, featuring Christoph Bauschinger, backing vocals from Collette Warren and production by legendary DnB producer Ant Miles in 2011.[10]

During her hiatus from drum and bass, Tali also created an alias for herself, as a chance to explore her love of jazz and showtunes. Rogue Nouveau was born and from here Tali put together a live band, which produced feisty, fun jazz tunes with a touch of her trademark MCing. Rogue Nouveau performed at prestigious venues throughout London, such as The Jazz Café and Ronnie Scott's Jazz Club, before disbanding when Tali moved back to New Zealand in 2012.

In 2011, Tali was commissioned as the composer for a political comedy musical called Nicked (written by Richard Marsh), which featured at The Hightide Theatre Festival and previewed on the West End.[11] It received rave reviews in The Guardian,[12] The Observer and London Evening Standard. While working on this musical, she met her co producer Christoph Bauschinger. Their friendship and work relationship on this project led to them collaborating on her fourth studio album. Of Things to Come..., which Tali released herself upon returning to New Zealand in 2012.

Tali's vocals were featured on the Activision game DJ Hero, and her songs have been used in promotion for Rob Dyrdek's 'Fantasy Factory on the Xtreme Sports Channel (Sky UK), Really and Soccer AM, and her voice-overs are used on BBC Radio 1 and BBC Radio 1Xtra. After moving back to New Zealand in 2012, Tali started her own radio show called The Morning Sickness on George FM (8 am – 10 am), which she gave up early 2015 due to touring commitments. She was also the corporate voice of the station for over a year.

Tali is a trained secondary school teacher at the Canterbury College of Education, has a diploma from The National Academy of Singing and Dramatic Arts (NASDA), a B.A. in English Literature also has vast experience in tutoring, mentoring, writing and vocal producing for other artists. As well as this Tali has written for ATM, Knowledge, Nu:Soul, and Guestlist Network publications in the UK and US and for 'Her' magazine in New Zealand.

After returning to New Zealand, Tali released Of Things to Come…, produced by Christoph Bauschinger and featured guest vocals from Laura Hunter. Distributed by Rhythm Method, Tali released two singles: "JetSet Love" received NZ On Air funding (shot by Mo’Fresh Productions) and "Of Things to Come…" was funded independently (shot by Toby Ricketts). Tali initially toured this album with a live band, before stripping it back to acoustic form with her guitarist and co-collaborator Harry Leatherby in order to focus more on her musical performance. In May 2015 Tali finished producing, writing and recording her own independent album Wolves, which went to #14 in the New Zealand album charts in its first week of release. The first single from this - "Forces" was remixed by TREi and went to #18 in the New Zealand singles charts. Tali released two further singles from this 'Faster Than Sound' and 'Wolves' with additional music videos. Following on from this, in 2016 Tali released 'KETA' a dreamy, downtempo cinematic EP featuring production from Tokyo Prose, Aske, and Sam De Jong and vocal cameos from Kings and Bailey Wiley. Singles from this included 'High To Get High', 'I Fly Over You' and 'Berlin' all of which have accompanying music videos.

In 2018 Tali published her first ever fiction novel 'The Little White House' under her full name Natalia Sheppard - which was published by UK publishing house Vanguard Press. That same year, seven years since she last released a full Drum and Bass album, Tali released 'Love & Migration' on Fokuz Records (Netherlands). This album features production from Malaky, Kasper, Melinki, The Vanguard Project and Roygreen and Protone amongst others, and vocal features from DRS, Degs and Georgie Fisher. Singles from the album include 'Eye On You' and 'Paperwasp'. This album saw Tali take out 'Best Electronic Artist' at the 2019 Vodafone New Zealand Music Awards.

In 2020 Tali and DJ Emma G released #10 in their Soulside Sessions series, a mix of deep and soulful Drum and Bass which Emma G curates and mixes, before sending it to Tali in NZ where she writes and records the vocals. The whole series 1 - 10 can be found on Soundcloud.

Tali continues to perform both as a singer/songwriter and MC, both in New Zealand and internationally. She is a teacher, mentor, inspirational speaker and in 2020 is celebrating 15 years since the release of her debut album 'Lyric On My Lip' with both a first ever digital release, and an accompanying documentary (due out late 2020)

Discography

Albums
Title Album details
Lyric on My Lip
  • Released: 9 February 2004
  • Format: CD
  • Label: Full Cycle Records
Dark Days, High Nights
  • Released: September 2011
  • Format: CD, Digital download
  • Label: AudioPorn Records
Dark Days, High Nights
  • The acoustic album featuring More Like Trees, Christoph Bauschinger and Collette Warren.
Of Things to Come...
  • Released: 2012
Do It For Yourself
  • Not on label, self-released
Wolves
  • Released: 2015
KETA (E.P)
  • Released: 2017
Love & Migration
  • Released: 29 October 2018
  • Label: Fokuz Recordings

Singles
  • "Lyric on My Lip" (Full Cycle Records, 2004) - UK #75[3]
  • "Blazin" (Full Cycle Records, 2004) - UK #42[3]
  • "Lyric on My Lip" (re-release, 2004) - UK #39[3]
  • "Airport Lounge" (Full Cycle Records, 2004)
  • "High Hopes (All Over Now)" (Full Cycle Records, 2004)
  • "Tali Story" (Easy/Sativa Records, 2007)
  • "Dark Days" / "Lost in the Game" (AudioPorn Records, 2011)
  • "Facing Forwards" / "Who Can Say?" (AudioPorn Records, 2011)
  • "JetSet Love" (TALIMUSIC 2012)
  • "Of Things to Come..." (TALIMUSIC 2012)
  • "Walk a Mile" (TALIMUSIC 2014)
  • "Forces" (TALIMUSIC 2014)
  • "Faster Than Sound" (TALIMUSIC 2014)
  • "Wolves" (TALIMUSIC 2015)
  • "Forces" TREi Remix (Viper Recordings, UK 2014)
  • "How To Get High" (TALIMUSIC 2016)
  • "I Fly Over You Feat. Kings" (TALIMUSIC 2016)
  • "Berlin" (TALIMUSIC 2016)
  • "Powerful feat. Melodownz" (TALIMUSIC 2017)
  • "Eye On You" (Fokuz Recordings 2018)
  • "Paperwasp" Lenzman Remix (Fokuz Recordings)
  • Ahoribuzz - "Providence" (2014)
  • Asides & Makoto - 'In Your Arms" (Aquarian Dreams 2015)
  • Atlantic Connection - "Good Hood Review (feat. MC Tali)" (Hot Pink Delorean Remix)
  • Atlantic Connection - "Good Hood Review (feat. MC Tali)"
  • Atlantic Connection - "So Me (feat. MC Tali)"
  • Blak Twang - "Travellin' (feat. MC Tali)" (First Man Remix)
  • Bulletproof - "Lessons" (2013)
  • Camo and Krooked - "Verve (feat. Tali)" - Audioporn Records 2010)
  • Chaz Jankel - "I Come Alive (feat. MC Tali)"
  • Clipz - "Forever (feat. MC Tali)"
  • Clipz - "Sound Boy (feat. MC Tali)" (VIP Remix)
  • Clipz - "Sound Boy (feat. MC Tali)"
  • Clipz - "Thinking Forward (feat. MC Tali)"
  • Concord Dawn - "Moonlighting" (2014)
  • CTRL-Z & Screwface present Stereo:Type - "Under My Skin (feat. MC Tali)"
  • Dan Aux - "Fcvk Yes" (2014)
  • Die & Skitz - "It's On (feat. MC Tali & Dynamite MC)" (Clipz Remix)
  • Die & Skitz - "It's On (feat. MC Tali & Dynamite MC)"
  • Dirtyphonics - "The Secret" (AudioPorn Records, 2010)
  • Dope Ammo - "Cold Rock a Party (feat. MC Tali)"
  • Drumsound & Bassline Smith - "In the Silence (feat. MC Tali)"
  • Eavesdrop - "What Do They Know?" (2013)
  • Eavesdrop - "Sideshow" (2014)
  • Eavesdrop - "This Moment" (2017)
  • E-Z Rollers - "Slow Fire (feat. MC Tali)"
  • E-Z Rollers -"Lets Give In/Liar Liar" (Intercom Recordings 2008)
  • First Man - "Help Them (feat. MC Tali & Blak Twang)"
  • First Man - "Set It Off (feat. MC Tali & Skinnyman)"
  • Fourward - "Facing Fourwards (feat. Tali)" [Audioporn Records 2011]
  • Krust & Die - "Hold It Down (feat. MC Tali)"
  • Krust & Die - "Soul Beat Calling (feat. MC Tali)"
  • Krust & Die - "Sounds of the Culture (feat. MC Tali & Rodney P)"
  • Lynx & Kemo - "The Real Thing (feat. MC Tali & Vaceo)"
  • MayaVanya - "Rockets" (2014)
  • Mutated Forms - "Blue Magic" (SS Remix - New Identity Recordings, 2008)
  • Paramount - "Wanderlust" (Broken Audio 2015)
  • Patife & SUV - "Inta Outa (feat. MC Tali)" (Rock Mix)
  • Patife & SUV - "Inta Outa (feat. MC Tali)" (Surge Remix)
  • Patife & SUV - "Inta Outa (feat. MC Tali)"
  • Roni Size - "Cheeky Monkey (feat. MC Tali & Dynamite MC)"
  • SUV - "Do You Remember Me? (feat. MC Tali)"
  • Severity Zero - "Tapestry" (Fokuz Recordings 2015)
  • The Freestylers - "This City (feat. Tali)"
  • TREi - "Homecoming" (2012)
  • Xilent - "Gravity (feat. Tali)"

Compilations
  • Do It for Yourself Mixtape, 2007
  • Deep Sound Vol 1 - DJ SS and Influx UK - New Identity Recordings, 2008
  • Soulside Sessions Vol 1 - Free online DnB mix with DJ Emma G, 2011
  • Soulside Sessions Vol 2 - Free online DnB mix with DJ Emma G, 2012
  • Soulside Sessions Vol 3 - Free online DnB mix with DJ Emma G, 2012
  • Soulside Sessions Vol 4- Free online DnB mix with DJ Emma G 2013
  • Soulside Sessions Vol 5- Free online DnB mix with DJ Emma G 2013
  • "Soulside Sessions Vol 6 - Free online DnB mix with DJ Emma G 2014
  • "Soulside Sessions Vol 7 - Free online DnB mix with DJ Emma G 2015
  • "Soulside Sessions Vol 8 - Free online DnB mix with DJ Emma G 2016
  • "Soulside Sessions Vol 9 - Free online DnB mix with DJ Emma G 2017
  • "Soulside Sessions Vol 10 - Free online DnB mix with DJ Emma G 2020

Awards and nominations
Awards Year Type Song or album Notes
New Zealand Music Awards 2019 Best Electronic Artist "Love & Migration" Won
gollark: Working on it.
gollark: --remind tomorrow bee.
gollark: --remind 1fCy test?
gollark: OH BEE OH BEE
gollark: ++remind "12AM tomorrow" deploy morning apioforms

References
  1. Rilkoff, Matt (3 January 2010). "Wedding bells for NZ's MC Tali". Stuff.co.nz. Retrieved 6 December 2016.
  2. "Tali (aka Natalia Scott) MC - DnB, Hip-Hop". Outlar.com. Retrieved 26 April 2012.
  3. "polyhex | Home". www.polyhex.com. Retrieved 21 February 2017.
  4. Roberts, David (2006). British Hit Singles & Albums (19th ed.). London: Guinness World Records Limited. p. 547. ISBN 1-904994-10-5.
  5. "30 TUI WINNERS CELEBRATED AT SPARK ARENA TONIGHT". Vodafone New Zealand Music Awards. Retrieved 17 November 2019.
  6. Paula Yeoman. "MC Tali on happiness, not conforming and the lack of female MCs". Villainesse. Retrieved 6 December 2016.
  7. Reported by Ed Real on (7 March 2008). "2008 Drum and Bass Awards' Results! - News at Trackitdown". Trackitdown.net. Retrieved 6 December 2016.
  8. Reported by Jack Bridges TID on (1 March 2010). "Drum and Bass Awards 2010 - Winners Announced! - News at Trackitdown". Trackitdown.net. Retrieved 6 December 2016.
  9. "Tali - Dark Days, High Nights (File, Album, MP3) at Discogs". Discogs.com. Retrieved 6 December 2016.
  10. "Tali, Dark Days, High Nights, The Live Album With More Like Trees on Beatport". Beatport.com. 19 September 2011. Retrieved 6 December 2016.
  11. Richard Marsh. "Nicked | Richard Marsh". Richmarsh.wordpress.com. Retrieved 6 December 2016.
  12. "Anyone for Nicked: the Clegg musical? | Politics". The Guardian. 21 November 2016. Retrieved 6 December 2016.
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