Artist info
Genre
Electronic, Pop
Sounds like
YOU, Can, decide
band members
Tara Simmons and some very good friends. Special mention to Chris O'Neill on drums.
Influences
I, Like, song
Unearthed artists we like
emma louise, Hungry Kids of Hungary, Ball Park Music, Mr. Maps, Cub Sport, Mapletons, Scott Spark, Edward Guglielmino, The Jungle Giants, YesYou, Oliver Tank, MKO SUN, Yeo, Ainslie Wills
Website
Bio
Groupie, Mucho Bravado & Falcona present: TARA SIMMONS // PLUTO JONZE CO-HEADLINE TOUR // FROM THE MOUNTAINS TO THE SUN with special guests to be announced TICKETS ON SALE 9AM TUESDAY, OCTOBER 2 WEDNESDAY, OCT 24 | BLACK BEAR LODGE, BRISBANE Tickets available via www.oztix.com.au, 1300 762 545 & Oztix outlets FRIDAY, OCT 26 | FBI SOCIAL, SYDNEY Tickets available via www.oztix.com.au, 1300 762 545 & Oztix outlets THURSDAY, NOV 1 | WORKERS CLUB, MELBOURNE Tickets available from Corner Box Office (57 Swan St, Richmond) or 03 9486 1677 It’s been an eye-opening and back-breakingly busy 12 months or so for Simmons who began her current journey with producer Yanto Browning (The Medics, The Jungle Giants, Kate Miller-Heidke) on her last release, an EP called All You Can which spawned two radio singles – All You Can and I Cannot Be Saved. This EP was the first time Simmons has ever enlisted a producer (her debut Spilt Milk was a self-produced effort) and, embracing the collaborative-environment, she continued the relationship into this project. With an evolving taste in music and its production, and a healthy sense of inspiration from indie-pop’s unique and edgy Scandinavian songstresses, Simmons realised while performing one day that she needed a change. This decisive moment led her to her start making music that not only awakened a more daring streak from within herself, but also challenges her place in the country’s indie-pop scene. ‘Be Gone’ is the result of this attitude and the first single lifted from the singer’s forthcoming second record, which she describes sonically as “a steam train… with a few quieter moments”. The single has already garnered rotation on triple j and now features a striking new video thanks to Brisbane directors Derryn Watts & Alex Barnes.
Tara Simmons produces heartfelt folk interlaced with electronica. She grew up on a farm in the Blue Mountains but has since moved to Brisbane.
Tell us about your music – what is your music making process?
I guess you could say a lot of my process has to do with how I demo my songs at home because it’s not a straight down the line voice and instrument process. I play a few different instruments and also program and produce. Depending on my mood and what sound I feel like going for I'll write on cello, keys or computer. Usually I'll throw everything together into a loose track within a few hours to get a general feel for how I want the song to be produced. The best thing about it is I don't get bored and I also make sure I don't get bored. I've started learning Banjo recently too (I'm shit house at the moment) so I can get some different sounds for that exact reason.
Tell us about your live shows.
I have a double bassist, two cellists and a drummer who also triggers laptop stuff. Then you have me running between cello and keys. Sound guys HATE me. I always turn up at your run of the mill rock and roll venue with the sound guy ogling our instruments, usually followed by some bad mood attitude. Once sound check is over they generally calm down though. I've also recently got my cellists Emma and Briony doing some BV's too much to their disgust.
It’s been a few years since your last uploads – tell us what’s been happening.
Well. After my last release I concentrated on writing for a post classical quintet from Brisbane called Topology. Once that was over I pretty much focused on my writing for a while and then used the entire block of 2008 to slowly record and produce the album. My band member Briony Luttrell recorded the album with me and we converted her lounge room into a studio. She has her lounge room back now and I think she is quite thankful for it.
What's coming up in the future?
Lots of writing, touring and then hopefully releasing another album in the not too distant future. I also really want to write a new album to be recorded live with my band and also a small chamber ensemble. That would make me very happy.
Australian music is?
Incestuous.
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If Drive was being remade next year they should use this to roll over the credits. Or at least when Toadie and Sonja have their baby on Neighbours. I digress; a contender for pop tune of the year.
If Drive was being remade next year they should use this to roll over the credits. Or at least when Toadie and Sonja have their baby on Neighbours. I digress; a contender for pop tune of the year.
Review
Pretty slick and all the shiny synths and drums support the vocals instead of drowning them out, like the big chorus snapping out of the 80s looped keys. It feels like it needs a bigger bottom-end oomph, but maybe i'm splitting electronic hairs. A deft tune.
Pretty slick and all the shiny synths and drums support the vocals instead of drowning them out, like the big chorus snapping out of the 80s looped keys. It feels like it needs a bigger bottom-end oomph, but maybe i'm splitting electronic hairs. A deft tune.
Review
Such stellar production, it's endlessly bouncy stuff.
Such stellar production, it's endlessly bouncy stuff.
