Style Record: Tasmin Wilson of Wilsen
All photographs courtesy of Wilsen, by Shervin Lainez
Tasmin Wilson has been penning ethereal melodies with her folk trio Wilsen since 2013. After listening to her haunting voice on EPs including 2013’s Sirens, the Brooklyn-based trio’s long awaited LP I Go Missing In My Sleep will be released next Friday, April 28. In the meantime, Wilson’s sweet, waiflike ways can be seen and heard in the video for the band’s recent single “Centipede.”
Paste caught up with Wilson to discuss wearing comfy clothes on stage, exploring symbolism in music videos and the Spice Girls.
Paste: When did you first paying more attention to style or fashion?
Tasmin Wilson: I grew up with a stylish mum and two older sisters so I’ve always had my nose in other people’s closets. But it wasn’t until 12 or 13 that I realized you could dress beyond the jeans and Gap t-shirt combo. I tried to keep up with trends in high school, but abandoned that for comfy clothes in uni and now rotate between a few basic outfits… it’s a bit of a uniform. And I still troll the closets every time I’m home.
Paste: Do you feel that you dress more for yourself or for others?
Wilson: I dress for myself. I didn’t always, but by now, am quite clear on the things I love.
Paste: Do you dress any differently on stage than you do in your day-to-day life?
Wilson: No, not really. I used to dress up when I first started performing but wound up tugging at clothing or wobbling around stage the whole time. So I reverted to wearing comfier pieces—anything that lets me bounce around and press pedals easily. That said, I’d eventually love to experiment with more creative dress. It’s a whole art form I haven’t really delved into yet.
Paste: What is your biggest style inspiration?
Wilson: Currently Diane Keaton, Annie Clark and and a 5-yr-old I know who only dresses in rainbow.