Tara Harrison

ENGLISH VERSION

TARA HARRISON, THE JAMERICAN DREAM

- Tell us about your childhood, how was been raised in Jamaica and New York?

I was born in NY and did my schooling there as well. I spent my summer vacations and long holidays in Jamaica enrolled in creative camps and dance programs. In both places, my love for music and art was fostered. My childhood was fun, and growing up in 2 different cultures made me very open-minded.

- What type of music sounded in your house?

My Father was a serious music lover; he listened to everything from Country to Salsa, Soul Oldies to Hip Hop. But his favorites to play in the house were SOUL/R&B/FUNK, Pop and Reggae. He was a huge MOTOWN fan, so he played artists like Aretha Franklin, Curtis Mayfield, and The Temptations. Reggae played included Bob Marley, Gregory Isaacs, and Jimmy Cliff. Popular artists like Gloria Estefan, Barbara Streisand, and Elton John were also played. On my own, I loved Hip Hop and R&B, and Pop. I ranged anywhere from Jay-Z and The Notorious BIG to Whitney Houston to TLC. When I got to my teenage years, I found myself loving female Jazz singers like Sarah Vaughn and Nancy Wilson.

- Do you remember the first sound that captivate your attention?

I dont remember a specific sound, but I just remember loving sound in general. Hearing something musical always changed my focus; I would turn any sound I heard (the school bell, a telephone ring) into a song. I was always positively distracted by anything sound and music related.

- And when you start to sing?

I started singing when I was just 3 years old.

-You started very young. Playing a lot, composing songs for others, recording, always studying but for you, what part of this formation years were the most important? and why?

I played the piano and clarinet as a child which gave me some basic music theory background. But it was entering the music business in my teenage years that were most important. I entered the music business at the age of 14. Those were my formative years, and I spent them not only getting to know myself as a budding adult but also, I was getting to know a brand new world: the music business. I learned studio and stage techniques, had professional vocal training, and became familiar what happens behind-the-scenes. I learned all about drive and motivation, work ethic, and dreams. I had the opportunity to not only watch others make their actual dreams come true, but I was young and working on my actual dreams too.

- And how you find the balance between your own music and when you work with other artists as composer or backing vocalist?

I am always writing—on the tour bus, in my car, when I’m sightseeing, in my hotel rooms—everywhere! The artists I’m working with, and my surroundings inspire me in my own music.

- When you start to sing with Ms Lauryn Hill, and how is the experience of working with her? What things did you learn?

I started singing with Ms. Lauryn Hill as a backing vocalist in 2012. Working with her is inspiring and educational in so many ways. I have traveled the world in a short amount of time, met so many beautiful people and seen so many beautiful places. Most important, I get to do what i love—Sing, Perform and inspire others with an artist (Ms. Lauryn Hill) who loves do the same.

- What other influences do you have?

George Michael, Janet Jackson and Gwen Stefani are 3 of my favorites. Their love of music mixed with fashion makes amazing art.

- And now you're recording an album? Thinking on touring maybe? What are you planning for the near future?

No album yet BUT, I’m recording 2 EPs at the moment that are completely different from each other. One catering to Reggae Roots and Culture, while the other will be more an Indie-Pop vibe. TaraHarrisonMusic.com will be up soon as well as some original apparel designed by me. My first shows will be in Jamaica and NYC, and then we’ll see what happens from there!

- A message for the latin american fans…

"Dream Big & Love Hard.” Thank you and I hope to meet you all very soon! - Inaki Duran, PelaGatos

Jamaica-set clip showcases debut song from Blood Orange songwriter's new duo. To complement their breezy debut slow jam "Hymn," VeilHymn's Devonté Hynes and Bryndon Cook have debuted a gorgeous, Jamaica-set video for the song.

Malia James directed and Juri Onuki – a frequent collaborator of Hynes for his main project Blood Orange – choreographed the clip, which was shot over two days in Kingston, Jamaica. Locals play all the roles and dance across the city to the beautiful, tender track. The video drew inspiration from the work of Malian photographer Malick Sidibé's black-and-white documentation of Sixties pop culture in Bamako... - Rolling Stone