Tanner Agpoon, a 24 year-old artist from Kansas, has come a long way since his early days of freestyling at parties and getting into trouble. Growing up in a large, supportive family, Tanner spent much of his youth exploring the outdoors, playing sports, and hanging out with friends. However, it wasn’t until his junior year of high school in 2016 that his love for music truly began to take shape. What started as casual freestyles with friends quickly turned into an obsession with creating music, especially during a pivotal time when he was placed on house arrest for three weeks. This unexpected period of isolation became a major wake-up call, and he spent his days in his grandma’s basement making music, an experience that has sparked his lifelong passion for music.
Fast forward to today, and Tanner’s journey has evolved into something much deeper. His latest project, "Growing Pains," is a project that reflects the growth and transformation he’s undergone over the past six months. Recorded in his new home studio in Los Angeles, Tanner worked tirelessly to produce every track, playing all the instruments himself and honing his skills in engineering. Despite the technical challenges he faced in the production process, like obsessively tweaking EQ settings and testing mixes in his car, Tanner’s persistence shines through in the final result. He notes that the energy in his shared house with four friends fueled much of the creativity behind the mixtape, particularly on standout tracks like “Benz Truck Prophecies.”
Musically, Tanner draws inspiration from a wide range of artists. He credits Mac Miller and David Choe for shaping his approach to both life and art, while Clairo’s Charm served as the motivation for this project’s inception. Other influences include Matt Champion, Waxahatchee, and Dominic Fike, all of whom have been in heavy rotation during his creative process. Tanner’s deep taste and appreciation for different styles are evident in "Growing Pains," where he blends elements of indie, hip-hop, and experimental sounds to create something unique to his own.
One of the most meaningful aspects of Tanner’s journey so far has been building a sense of community through both his music and other creative paths, like making skits and clothes. While receiving an award from FADER magazine during a college competition was a highlight for him, Tanner finds more meaning in the accumulation of smaller moments. Whether it’s connecting with fans, collaborating with friends, or simply enjoying the creative process, each step along the way has contributed to his growth as an artist.
Looking back on his career, Tanner has learned to embrace honesty in his art. In the past, he often felt pressure to create music that would be seen as “good” by others. Now, he understands that art is subjective, and what matters most is staying true to himself. This realization has been liberating for Tanner, allowing him to focus on making music that resonates with him personally rather than trying to fit into commercial molds.
As Tanner moves forward, he’s approaching his release process with the same sense of authenticity. He’s done with the traditional strategy of dropping lead singles and sticking to structured tracks. Instead, he’s embracing a more free-flowing, fun approach to sharing his music, putting out what feels right, regardless of whats trending or preferred.
Check out Tanner's latest project below + Follow his socials!
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