– What’s new in the world of Tareya?
I just released my first debut solo single, “Summer Wheels”. It was a major change to go in a solo direction. Less than a year ago I was touring with my former band Autumn Hill, which was one of the most incredible experiences in my career. After the tour ended, I gave myself two months to completely zone-out — I wanted to normalize as much as I could before beginning my solo album. Once I started writing again, I felt very inspired to write about my experiences over the past few years; change, overcoming fears, pursuing my dream, falling in love… to mention a few. I still cannot believe I have this opportunity to make a solo record, it’s been a dream since I was a little girl. I’m so grateful.
– How was it recording your new single “Summer Wheels”? What was the inspiration for it?
Every January I spend time down South with my husband (a classic car collector/dealer) and this year we brought a classic Porsche with us. We spent most of the trip cruising alongside the ocean with the top down, listening to music and watching the waves. On our way back up to Toronto I was so inspired by the experience and wanted to capture it in a song, so I took a detour through Nashville and wrote “Summer Wheels” with Patricia Conroy and Danick Dupelle (Emerson Drive). It was recorded in Toronto with producer, Jeff Dalziel. We pulled up some road trip footage on the big screens and I recorded the vocals while wearing sunglasses, haha. It was a blast! It’s the perfect summer road trip anthem.
– How did you go about creating the artwork for the single?
I was excited to work with my long-time friend Phil Crozier. He is an amazingly talented photographer and inspiration in my life — he was one of the people who told me to stop being afraid and “just move to Toronto already!” to pursue my dream of being a professional singer. Coming home seven years later to shoot the cover for my first solo single together was really special. My inspiration for the shoot was a baby blue 50’s Chevy Bel Air convertible. As luck would have it, Gary Satorio of Shaganappi GMC in Calgary (a former friend and client back when I owned a floral business in Calgary) was the personal owner of the exact model and colour of car I’d been dreaming of, and he generously let us climb all over it, haha. Once the photos were taken, I designed the single artwork and branding myself.
– Will there be an official music video coming out soon?
Yes, there is an official lyric video for “Summer Wheels”. It’s a point-of- view experience of the ocean drive that inspired the song. You feel like you’re actually cruising down the coast when you watch it. Check it out on YouTube!
– Could you describe what goes on in a day in your life as a musician on tour?
I travel with my husband and two rescue dogs, which means a lot of stops between shows and interviews. It’s not unusual to see me in full stage hair and makeup running around a park with my dogs, haha. We’ve traveled over 50,000 miles together in our Surburban, which is decked out with a mattress, string lights and a mini TV.
– Could you describe some of your earliest influences in life and in music?
I listened to a lot of powerful Canadian female artists, including Sarah McLachlan, Celine Dion, Shania Twain, Jann Arden and Chantal Kreviazuk. My vocal coach Brian Farrell was a major influence on my vocal style. He taught me to connect with the song emotionally, above all else — to experience the song through every lyric every time you sing it.
– Are you personally a fan of Spotify and similar streaming services? What are your thoughts on this?
I love Spotify and similar streaming services. As an artist and a fan, it’s my opinion that music should be easily accessible and streaming services make this possible. The way fans experience music has changed, and as artists we are embracing this change — respecting and appreciating the way fans show their love for the music. Fans are everything.
– Your voice is a delicate instrument. How long did it take you to perfect it? What do you do to keep it strong and healthy?
I believe perfection comes from connecting with the song while you sing it, not necessarily technique or skill. A perfect vocal performance is one that makes you feel something. I performed the song “Never Be Mine” in Halifax with a cold and almost no voice, but I lived every word of the song and when it was over people in the audience had tears in their eyes. That moment changed the way I viewed “perfect”.
– Where do you see music in general going in 20 years from now?
Wow, that is a good question! Holograms in your living room, haha? I have no idea! I hope technology continues to make it easier for everyone to explore and express their inner musicians. I know the last 20 years have made it easier for me to communicate the songs inside my head, I can only imagine with another 20 will bring.
“Summer Wheels” lyric video – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sdzze4KbPi4
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