I had the idea of Khorumi, the Georgian War Dance, on my mind for a long time.
From Eurovision mainstages to underground club residencies, Tamta has always defied convention. Now, the genre-blurring pop artist and fashion icon returns with her most audacious work yet—KHORUMI, the lead single off her boundary-pushing new EP, The Villain.
Blending leftfield electronica with the visceral power of a traditional Georgian war dance, and weaving lyrics in both Greek and Georgian, Tamta reclaims her roots while charging headfirst into uncharted sonic territory.
With production by TEO.x3 and a daring visual language shaped by her bi-continental life between Athens and London, Tamta is once again setting the bar for what modern pop can be: bold, cinematic, and unapologetically her own.
We sat down with Tamta to talk about the making of KHORUMI, the darker themes behind The Villain, and how her upcoming London headline show (on Friday, May 2, 2025. ) promises to be nothing short of transformative.
My show is all about embracing the present and creating a space where we can all be in the moment together.
What led you to infuse a traditional Georgian war dance into a modern pop single like KHORUMI.
I had the idea of Khorumi, the Georgian War Dance, on my mind for a long time. Doli, the Georgian percussion instrument used in it, fascinated me the most. During one of our music production boot camps last year TEO.x3 (my music producer) came up with a brilliant way to turn my vision into a leftfield electronic infused pop track. I am so proud of this project, especially when I think back on the challenges we faced with the fast-paced, unconventional rhythmic pattern of Khorumi. It was a tough hurdle at first, but we made it work!
Your new EP, The Villain, explores darker themes – how does KHORUMI capture that edgier vibe.
It is true that THE VILLAIN” follows a dark narrative. Khorumi fully reflects that. It is a war song. The dance is divided into 4 parts. 1. search for a place to set up camp; 2. surveil the enemy; 3. attack; 4. victory and celebration. Through The Villain, I want to urge people to live their life unapologetically. To achieve that, some people have to go to war with their inner darker parts and ultimately come out victorious.
You blend Georgian and Greek lyrics with leftfield electronics – how do these cultural elements shape your overall sound?
I think my listeners would be more suitable to answer this. Georgian and Greek are just the two languages in which I feel most at ease expressing myself and conveying my artistic vision. I am so happy that I can show my love and respect for my Greek & Georgian roots through the lyrics in my songs. So, I am not sure as to how they shape my sound, but they surely help me ensure authenticity in my artistry.
After your viral Madwalk 2024 performance, what can fans expect from your upcoming London show at Colours Hoxton?
I aspire to create an experience similar to my SMUT ATHENS live performances. At the Athenian queer underground nightclub my performances are defined by fierce choreographies and stimulating light design. I will be performing tracks from my Identity Crisis LP, The Villain EP as well as The Heroine. EP. The audience can also expect to get a small glimpse into my older discography. My show is all about embracing the present and creating a space where we can all be in the moment together.
How does KHORUMI reflect your ongoing creative evolution and set stage for your future releases?
I am beyond thrilled that KHORUMI attracted interest from international audiences. It motivates me to keep experimenting. I hope that all my future music creations are met with the same level of enthusiasm.
©FM
