With his latest release, Don’t Lie, London-based producer Tian Karl invites listeners to dive deeper into the soulful and intricate soundscape he’s creating with his new label, Trust Issues. Just a month after the label’s launch with his debut single, Flint, Tian is already laying the groundwork for his upcoming album, Things To Say About Words. The new track, available from October 25th, presents a hypnotic, dub-infused journey layered with emotional depth—a testament to the creative direction and introspection defining his recent work.
“Don’t Lie was meant to be an emotional club record,” Tian shared in our recent interview, delving into the inspiration behind the track and its place in the narrative of his debut album. “The title perfectly weaves into the album concept ‘Things To Say About Words,’ not just as a theme, but as the overall storytelling arc.” In his upcoming album, he reveals that the track titles serve as the “lyrics,” the challenge lies in communicating a narrative without words. “It’s about making sense of my hiatus, which had a very existential background. Ideally, though, everyone finds their own story in the record.”
Tian’s hiatus from production—a period spent reflecting and exploring themes of acceptance—has undeniably influenced his approach to music. Since he began producing, his work has shifted toward capturing real-time performances and experimenting with analogue gear, moving away from digitally layered samples. “I started as a recording engineer, actually,” he recalls. “I met Santé in engineering school, and we’ve been friends ever since. Over time, my approach morphed from DAW temptations of moving around samples to recording and capturing a moment. I’m into details, trying to put every sound under a microscope. Then, I start jamming and capture the moment.”
Don’t Lie is the final club-focused single before the album takes a more exploratory turn. The next few singles, he teases, will dive into tracks that veer from four-on-the-floor rhythms, embracing unique sound design and meticulous attention to detail. “It’s an emotional album with a lot of low-end,” he says, “and parts that aren’t structured like traditional club tracks. There are song structures without going pop. It’s about depth, pushing the underground house boundary to create a new, raw experience.”
The personal storytelling woven into each track is a recurring theme across the album. He hopes that listeners will experience these breadcrumbs throughout the record, where subtle sonic references cross-link, guiding them to a deeper understanding. “Roughly speaking, it’s about being stuck in a situation where nothing helps but acceptance. But there are more angles, and I wanted to make it an emotional and personal record. Not a functional one,” he explains. “At least for me, I want to dive in and figure it out for myself. I hope listeners can relate to it from their perspective. It’s not just about mine.”
With Trust Issues, Tian has found a creative sanctuary—a space for boundless artistic exploration. The label, he says, isn’t driven by commercial pressures or mainstream trends. “Trust Issues, as the name might imply, is not a commercial project,” he affirms. “It’s my playground, where I can be as creative as I want without worrying about trends or release schedules. Ideally, I aim to gain people’s trust through consistent quality.” The label’s third release, ISSUE003, is already scheduled for November, marking another step toward cementing Trust Issues as a reliable source of forward-thinking music.
Through his music, Tian masterfully balances house, garage, and neo-soul influences, creating a refreshingly authentic sound in today’s crowded electronic scene. His formula? Complete artistic honesty. “I try to be as honest as possible in my creative decisions,” he reflects. “I stopped making stuff that I thought could work. I only make things that fulfil me creatively. What’s the point otherwise?”
This authenticity extends to his view of the underground scene, which he sees as increasingly entangled with influencer culture. “I don’t worry about it,” he says bluntly. “If I start thinking about it from that angle, I’d be discouraged. The only way forward is to not care about trends because everything is so fragmented. I focus on the music and let others do their thing.”
In describing his creative process, Tian emphasizes the role of spontaneity, allowing space for “mistakes” and experimentation. “If I could understand how it works every time, there would be 20 albums by now,” he jokes. “Allowing mistakes is probably a bigger part of it than my artist ego sometimes wants to admit. And I love focusing on details.”
As Tian prepares for the release of Things To Say About Words, his focus remains on growth and collaboration. “It’s the constant change and learning that keeps me going. I can’t wait to keep shaping my sound, collaborate with others, and play gigs again.”
For Tian, this album is more than a collection of tracks; it’s a personal journey and a creative rebirth. “I couldn’t tell you how excited I am to put these tracks out because they are so close to my heart. It’s only a massive punt if your focus is on career-building and ego,” he shares candidly. “I want to connect with listeners who share my taste in music and trust my releases. That’s why I called the label Trust Issues.”
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