‘Tiger in the Garden’ is a soulful, jazz-infused track that reflects on the frustrations of adulthood, the pressure to succeed, and the quiet grief of putting dreams on hold to survive.
Produced by Tiger Lotiss and engineered by Sebastian Judd (Chequered Patterns), ‘Tiger in the Garden’ is a love letter to anyone who has sacrificed their passions in pursuit of stability. Inspired by the everyday realities of rising living costs, career pressures, and the expectations placed on a generation told that hard work would guarantee success, the track captures the experience of many young New Zealanders trying to find their place in an increasingly challenging world.
As the son of immigrants, Tiger grew up witnessing the sacrifices his parents made to create opportunities for future generations. While grateful for those sacrifices, he also found himself wrestling with the weight of expectations and questioning what success truly means.
“We were told that if we studied hard and worked hard enough, we’d be fine. But for many of us, that’s not been the reality. This song is for anyone who’s ever felt like they’ve had to put parts of themselves aside just to get by,” says Tiger.
The inspiration for the song arrived during an ordinary trip to the supermarket.
“I was standing in the fruit and vegetable aisle looking at a $10 mango thinking, ‘How did we get here?’ It became this moment that represented something much bigger — trying to hold onto joy, creativity, and hope while navigating the pressures of everyday life.”
‘Tiger in the Garden’ is supported by NZ on Air and balances reflection with energy, pairing witty social commentary with infectious rhythms and soulful musicianship.
The accompanying music video is directed by Promise Akindeju and Zoe Roche of Lemontime Studios. Filmed by Arneth Murania it also features choreography by Jacqueline Jimenez. The video follows Tiger through the streets of Auckland as he navigates the tension between who he is today and the person he hopes to become.
With a full-length album expected later this year, ‘Tiger in the Garden’ marks the second release from an artist unafraid to ask difficult questions while encouraging others to reflect on their own journeys. And in an election year, he also has an important message for listeners.
“I want to encourage people to understand the importance of voting. The decisions made by those in positions of influence affect our everyday lives in so many ways, so it’s important that we understand how and use our voices. Vote,” says Tiger.
