Tara Van: The Rising Indie Star from Toronto
Tara hails from Toronto and continues to be based in her hometown. Her love affair with music began at the tender age of four, but it was only recently, in 2023, that she started sharing her music with the world. Tara’s journey into the music scene was fueled by personal experiences of overcoming bullying and abusive relationships. It wasn’t until she fell in love with another singer-songwriter that she began to find her confidence. The subsequent breakup and the isolation of the pandemic became a catalyst for her to embark on her first solo project, leading her to realize that she was her own greatest obstacle.
Tara Van’s music is accessible on multiple platforms:
Tara is on a roll with multiple singles set to be released throughout the year. Her first single of the year dropped on May 24th, with more nearly finished and expected to culminate in two EPs.
Despite being relatively new to the indie music scene, Tara has already made significant strides. Her debut album was released shortly after her emergence as an artist. She has formed a band with two close friends and embarked on her first international tour to the UK and Denmark. A notable highlight was performing at the historic Cavern Club in Liverpool, UK, as part of the International Pop Overthrow Festival.
Tara’s songwriting is an organic process that often occurs during moments of autopilot activities like commuting or walking. Lyrics and melodies come to her in unison, and she usually builds her songs around her voice before adding instruments like guitar, ukulele, or keyboard. Collaborating with other artists is essential for Tara. She emphasizes the importance of working with other women in the industry and has enjoyed successful collaborations with female producer Malory Torr and producer Mark Calderone.
Tara’s primary instrument is her voice, but she also plays rhythmic guitar, ukulele, and dabbles with the keyboard.
In five years, Tara hopes to continue creating music that she is passionate about, collaborate with admired artists, and connect with her audience both live and in the studio. She aims to achieve sync success and write songs for other artists. Ultimately, her long-term goal is to become a full-time singer-songwriter and explore writing for film and television.
Tara’s biggest challenge as an indie artist has been overcoming a lack of confidence and the financial strain of producing and marketing music. Despite these hurdles, she finds inspiration in people, life experiences, and the natural world. She emphasizes the importance of patience, humor, and new experiences in overcoming creative blocks.
Tara’s music spans genres such as folk, pop, soul, dreampop, and power pop. She draws influence from a diverse array of artists including Tracy Chapman, Carole King, Alicia Keys, Joni Mitchell, and Stevie Wonder. Her music incorporates elements from folk, jazz, pop, blues, soul, funk, and more.
Tara enjoys the connection with her audience during live performances. Although she is still building her performance schedule, she aims to engage actively with her fans both online and offline. She values the support of her fans immensely, finding it validating and essential for her growth as an artist.
Tara’s songwriting is deeply personal, inspired by love, politics, loss, self-discovery, and more. She aims to create music that empowers and motivates listeners to spread love and work on their mental health. Her songs often reflect on global issues and personal growth, promoting unity and positivity.
Tara advises aspiring artists to find a supportive community of creatives and work together to nurture and inspire each other. She emphasizes the importance of not doing it alone and building a team.
Tara is continuously working on new music and engaging with her fans. Stay tuned for upcoming releases and performances by following her on social media and music platforms.
Tara Van is a testament to the power of resilience and the importance of community in the music industry. Her journey from overcoming personal challenges to emerging as a promising indie artist is truly inspiring. Keep an eye on Tara Van as she continues to make her mark in the music world.
Photo credit is Yolanda van der Kolk-Brown
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