Artist info
Genre
Electronic, Pop
band members
Tara Simmons and some very good friends. Special mention to Chris O'Neill on drums.
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
TARA SIMMONS 1984 - 2019
'North' is a lustrous, dark pop song propelled by a wonky beat and pulsing production that borders on abrasive. It’s darker than most of her releases to date, but there’s a certain euphoria floating above, carried by a stunning vocal performance that unfurls as the song crescendos towards its conclusion - a brilliant burst of urgent rhythms and chiming guitars. With North, Tara is on a search for direction, navigating a path to beauty through imperfection and bold experimentation and emerging on the other side with a single-minded creative vision.
It is the second single from her forthcoming record and legacy to this world.
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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it's got mystery and drive and spins a special web.
it's got mystery and drive and spins a special web.
Review
So good to hear new music from you Tara. To be fighting through unimaginable obstacles and get back to this point is feat to be admired. Likewise I'm crushing on this resplendent slice of widescreen pop.
So good to hear new music from you Tara. To be fighting through unimaginable obstacles and get back to this point is feat to be admired. Likewise I'm crushing on this resplendent slice of widescreen pop.
Review
slowing down your vocals whilst upping everything else is a high risk high reward move that worked a treat. a cheeky 6 years between drinks for tara and it's a seriously lovely return.
slowing down your vocals whilst upping everything else is a high risk high reward move that worked a treat. a cheeky 6 years between drinks for tara and it's a seriously lovely return.