Tacocat singer Emily Nokes talks politics, mental health and staying positive

Seattle band Tacocat are as down as the rest of us about ‘the state of things’, but they’re figuring out a way through with a new album filled with wit and charm. ‘This Mess Is a Place’ is their first for local heroes Sub Pop, too - they’re moving into the big leagues. Hey Emily, how’s life in Seattle? Hi! Seattle is looking fine at the moment — the sun is out, and things are starting to look alive again.

Your new album ‘This Mess Is A Place’ is out soon via Sub Pop, how did the label move come about? We have loved being on Hardly Art so much, we grew up on that label, but it felt like the right time to migrate over to the big-kid table.

What was your state of mind like going into this record? I was feeling pretty dismal if I'm being honest. I get seasonal depression, but this was much more acute, so I was trying to dig myself out of that hole, while at the same time just feeling the world, my friends, my community, absolutely reeling from the election. Processing that was so extreme. I was feeling bad for everyone, feeling bad for myself; it felt impossible to express anything that anyone would want to listen to. I knew I didn't want an overly sad or angry album — even though those are such valid emotions — so there was anxiety around that as well. But after taking a lot of time and space to just think and thaw out, I started being able to write more. And, I think, write better. I just needed to find the fun and humour and power again!