Thavoron Returns To His Roots with “18 - Acoustic” - 3 May 2023

Thavoron releases “18 - Acoustic,” available May 3rd on Digital Formats via Trailing Twelve Records.

Seattle, Washington-based singer-songwriter Thavoron (Tav-er-on) shares a stripped-down iteration of his original track “18,” set for digital release on May 3rd through Trailing Twelve Records.

With a short film and sophomore LP on the horizon (Tommy Loves You comes out on May 26th, 2023), Thavoron re-imagines his breakout single “18” by going back to his acoustic roots. Thavoron’s achingly delicate vocal performance and elegant guitar picking paint a picture of infatuation and vulnerability from a past traumatic relationship [I’ll wait for you to come save me / like you’ve waited since I was 18 / I was so naive] and pleading excerpts [ begging for you to tell the truth / was it all me or solely my youth ].

“18” is about a situation I went through when I was 18, naive, fresh out of high school, and desperate to love. The only thing that my partner at the time would see in me was my physical body. It's mentally taxing to know that even if you do offer all parts of yourself to someone. No one is obligated to love you the way that you love them. Some people pick and choose which parts of you to fully see, and this song is about the events leading up to that. I wanted to highlight the sadness and beauty of intimacy and movement with this song. There's something so inspiring about altering your concept of self and reclaiming your power in the same body you once felt so used in.

The acoustic rendition of “18” features lush guitar accompanied by a deeply vulnerable and rever-soaked vocal performance from Thavoron. Originally featuring Phillip Peterson (HAIM, Lorde, Lana Del Rey, Taylor Swift) on percussion, cello, & bass alongside Spencer Edgers to play flute and saxophone, Thavoron strips “18” down to its bare bones to pay homage to the song’s humble beginnings.

I write all of my songs solely on guitar, so it's very dear and near to my heart to have an acoustic version of a song that's so painfully, truthfully, me. Just having my voice and guitar allowed for an even more vulnerable, reflective moment on such a dark time in my life-- especially since the original release was such a collaborative project with people that I love so much. It almost felt necessary to go back to my roots and do this rendition all by myself

When the original version of “18” was released, Thavoron promised fans that if it surpassed 10,000 streams, he would release an acoustic version. As the song now approaches 20,000 streams, Thavoron has offered up “18 - Acoustic” as a way of saying ‘thank you’ for listening.

Thavoron’s “18 - Acoustic” is out May 3rd on Digital Formats via Trailing Twelve.

LIVE DATES:

5/5 & 5/6 - Seattle, WA @ Belltown Bloom Festival

Written, Performed, Produced, Mixed and Mastered by Thavoron
Press Contact: info@trailingtwelve.com

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© & ℗ 2023 Trailing Twelve Records. All Rights Reserved. Unauthorized Copying, Reproduction, Hiring, Lending, Public Performance, And Broadcasting Strictly Prohibited.

THAVORON - 18 - Acoustic
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Release Date: 3 May 2023
Length: 4:58

Socials: spotify / instagram / tiktok / twitter / website

BIO

Thavoron is a 22-year-old Cambodian American artist based in Seattle, Washington. Layering angelic vocals and intimate lyricism over heart-breaking sonic progressions, Thavoron pulls inspiration from contemporaries such as Frank Ocean, Faye Webster, and Bon Iver.

Growing up as a Cambodian-American and not feeling represented in the music industry, Thavoron hopes to help pave the way for Southeast/Asian American and queer artists alike looking for a sense of creative community:

“..being surrounded by people I couldn’t fully relate to resorted to me locking myself up in my bedroom to just write to try and make sense of all my differences as a person.”

With coverage including Under The Radar, Celebmix, METAL, Ones To Watch, Seattle Times, Unclear, and Before The Data, Thavoron’s music has been described as deeply reflective, vulnerable, and increasingly rare. Tackling themes like cultural identity, grief, and strained relationships, Thavoron crafts hauntingly melancholy songs that leave a lasting impression.

PRESS & FEATURES

“Thavoron captures a striking allure of contrasts, with his intensely personal lyrics and immaculate falsetto standing next to a sea of tense and knotted instrumental textures.” - Under The Radar

“Navigating themes like cultural identity, grief, and strained relationships, [Thavoron’s] songwriting has a unique vulnerability.” - Seattle Times

“It's become increasingly rare for us to find songs that hit with enough force to give us goosebumps, but Seattle-based artist Thavoron has provided just that with standout cut “bend, or” off his debut album, Ugly.” - Before The Data

“Thavoron writes the words every tired heart has longed to speak and delivers it in the most painfully romantic way possible.” - Ones To Watch

“Alternative and indie rock meet in the creative vision of Thavoron, who adds his personal touch by flooding his creations with emotion and reflecting inner debates in his lyrics.” - METAL

“Drenched in aching timbres, Thavoron’s vocals are at once bewitching and poignant.” - Celebmix