IT’S not easy to build a band, but you know when you’ve got it just right. Clashes of personality can be one thing, differing opinions on musical direction can be another. Yet, when things fall into place just right, it feels like something special is transpiring.

Tamanfaya have been waiting to make waves for a while now. The band got together in late 2018, playing a first gig the year later. But instability among the band line-up stifled their early development. They operated as a duo for a while with guitarist Matt Philp and drummer Aidan O’Hara. But they knew that something was amiss.

They then recruited bass player Danny O’Hara and, more recently, Lois Duncan as the new lead singer – the project now firmly taking shape. Indeed, the set up looks steady. The four-piece have already started the year strong with a handful of rousing support sets.

And while some consideration is being given to, perhaps, bringing a fifth, the current line-up is one that provides a real balance and platform to build from.

Matt tells The Weekender: “Me and Aidan always wanted to expand the band from just the two of us. We jammed with loads of different people as we wanted to try and find our sound. It wasn't easy recruiting during Covid times.

“We’re very happy with how the band is sounding now. We’ve recently discussed maybe introducing a rhythm guitarist to give us an even bigger sound. It’s something that could happen very soon.”

Aidan adds: “We struggled a lot to find our sound in the beginning, going through different singers and writing different songs but we felt nothing was really coming together or sounding the way we wanted it to.

“Members constantly coming and going, writing differences between band members and a general lack of communication just made us feel frustrated.

“But with this new line up it feels that we are really starting to find our sound and things are coming together smoothly. We have been practicing like mad and are starting to feel much more confident. All hoping more good things will come this year.”

Tamanfaya is a band far from typical. They appreciate things just a little bit sharper – a little bit heavier. While there are more normal indie variances, the aim is for something more cutting. More rock, than indie rock. That extra level helps them to stand apart from the pack and the addition of singer Lois provides yet another dimension to their sound.

In Lois, the four-piece has a singer capable of really pushing those around her. Recent performances have shown her range – and the band will only improve as they develop under the current line-up.

"Lois has provided us with the ability to be a little different to other bands out there,” Matt says. “Her voice suits the sound the band are trying to create and it's genuinely an exciting time for us right now.”

Lois adds: “We were all friends before the band came together, we understood having a female singer in this genre of music would be unique in a way, and it’s working well – plus, we have good fun. So, I’d say I bring something unique to the band.”

The Fife band are clearly one to keep an eye on. But even now they have a freshness that only intrigues. On top of that they show impressive musicianship for a band so young – three teenagers among them.

All they’ll need now is the opportunity. And they won’t have to wait very long. They will play at Bannermans in Edinburgh on March 7, before a show at Ivory Blacks in Glasgow on March 18.

In the background they are working away with new releases set for the coming months. With a few Fife shows already behind them, two city gigs ahead, and new material on the way… it’s fair to say that 2022 will be a massive year for Tamanfaya.

“Expect some new music in the coming months,” Matt exclaims. “Lois will be singing on the new tracks which is very exciting for us, and we can’t wait to get stuck into the recording.

“We’ve got some new songs in the making as we speak…we’re expecting the first one to be released within the next 2-3 months.”

Drummer Aidan continues: “Expect our new sound to be a lot heavier. Big guitar riffs and heavy drumming. And with Lois as our new singer expect some unique music.

“We can’t wait to show everyone what we have waiting for them. 2022 is just the beginning for us.”