A few Saturdays ago, I packed my camera bag and traveled to Moe Joe Coffee Co. to photograph the WSBF-FM “We’re So Back Fall ’24” concert. I wasn’t sure what to expect, but I was more than pleasantly surprised when Tangerine Scene took the stage to open the night.
Nothing, not even photos or videos, can come close to doing the night justice. Moe Joe’s natural setting — charmingly overgrown plant pots and wooden countertops — became an indie haven bathed in red and blue spotlights, and Tangerine Scene, taking center stage, looked right at home.
Their recent performance is a great example of the band at their core, just having fun and playing together. When they told me during our interview that it was their favorite memory as a band, I wasn’t surprised at all.
It was what every band wants in a night — a confident and well-rehearsed set with plenty of fun moments enhanced by a great crowd. The loud applause after each song made it clear that the audience knew they were watching something great. The band’s ability to mesh musical styles into something sonically cohesive and unique yet familiar shone through in their act.
The group began with a performance of “Dreams” by Fleetwood Mac before running through a few originals and a beautiful cover of The Cranberries’ “Linger,” a song swelling with ’90s nostalgia. Lead singer Sophie St. James’ voice crooned perfectly to fit the longing in the notes and was accentuated by the presence of her fellow performers. Her sister Olivia St. James’ harmonizing and drummer Ashby Williams’ gentle accompaniment were perfect and did anything but fall into the background.
I told them how much I loved it as we strolled through the botanical gardens.
“Oh, really? Oh, good, we were so nervous about that one because it’s such a beloved song,” came the response from the bandmates.
This attitude encapsulates the young Tangerine Scene’s approach to music; they’re doing good work with good inspiration, and they’re happy to be there. Even a few years into their musical journey — and with more than a few concerts in their repertoire — they have stayed humble. Any time they get invited to play, they still feel a sense of excitement to take the stage.
Tangerine Scene, which was officially formed in 2021, has a delightfully eclectic musical palette.
“We were influenced by a lot of different artists and vibes. Mine would be Soccer Mommy, Lunar Vacation and Slow Pulp,” Sophie St. James said. Her sister cited more of the classics, like The Sundays and The Allman Brothers Band. “Tom Petty is pretty good, too,” Williams chimed in.
As for how they describe their own genre, it’s some hybrid creature of alternative indie pop rock. Whatever it is, it’s good, and it somehow manages to stay unique, even among the noise of the modern-day musical landscape.
Tangerine Scene may not have been around for very long, but they have the chemistry of longtime friends who spent their childhood together — probably because two of them did.
Sisters Olivia and Sophia St. James grew up in a musical household. They recalled their dad playing guitar for them as far back as kindergarten. When I asked them how long they had been playing music, they laughed and said they couldn’t quite remember exactly but that they did perform together for the first time at a grade school talent show.
After that, the band was in business. Tangerine Scene continued honing their style and playing together as they entered high school, where they began to take things more seriously.
“We figured, I mean, we like playing together, and, you know, we might as well try to do something with it.” Sophie St. James took the lead, having already begun making music and starting to produce music on her phone at the time.
Eventually, they added a new member to the mix: Ashby Williams. Tangerine Scene needed a drummer, and Williams had a drum kit. Williams met the sisters about a year ago, and the rest is history.
Williams also grew up in a musical household.
“I’d grown up listening to my dad drum, but I just kind of picked it up on my own. I don’t want to say I taught myself, but like I did kind of teach myself. My dad has been very hands-off with that, which is nice.
“It was only about two years ago that I’d say I actually started getting serious and being intentional about learning songs and, like, progressing and learning things, not just like screwing around,” Williams said. “I don’t sing, though,” she added.
It was simply her love of playing music that inspired her newfound commitment to practicing and, later, her choice to join a band. That love for music is what started Tangerine Scene, has kept it going and will continue to propel them into the future. These are girls who love music and wake up every day still surprised they get to do this for an audience, and that is one of the elements that make them so great.
“It’s hard to put into words, really, but it’s playing with people that really keeps us going,” Sophie St. James said. “It’s one thing to, you know, play on your own, to a backing. But, like, getting together and playing with other people has been really fulfilling.”
Especially after the band’s most recent performance at the radio station’s concert, they are only hungry for more opportunities. When asked what their plans were for the coming years, lead singer St. James answered first and most confidently, “I feel like it would be really cool to go on tour. Even if it were small. If that was something we could do, then I would love that.”
Her bandmates echoed the sentiment, adamant about sticking together to jam out for as long as possible. Personally, I hope to see Tangerine Scene playing together on various stages for decades to come.
Be sure to follow Tangerine Scene on Instagram @tangerinescenee to keep up with their future performances!
