Taran Gray

As a listener:
Right off the bat, the sound is big and engaging! The intro is solid and doesn’t drag on. After a nice piano scale Taran’s voice comes in with ease and is clear and strong. As the song continues it caries you along with well written verses and an overall steady build with solid lead and background vocals along with added production elements; the mandolin is one of my favorite additions half way through the song. The phrasing of “Away Away” in the chorus is catchy and plays on pleasantly in your head after the song has ended.

When you think the song has reached its breakdown moment with Taran displaying some vocal skill following the second chorus, the song moves into this fantastic outro which is clearly the real breakdown and gem of the song. The song fades out with great ease and makes you want to hit the replay button instantly to hear it again.
As a musician:
The production is stellar! I love how the song has a steady build throughout its radio friendly runtime and the vocals are quite strong overall. Taran Gray’s tone is pleasant to listen to and you can understand his lyrics clearly which is a major plus in my books. The production doesn’t swallow his articulation at all. The mixing of this track has been skillfully executed and it shows.

The one thing I felt was missing was a soaring vocal moment. The song builds the whole time and I was waiting to be taken “Away Away” vocally but I was left a bit disappointed. As a singer myself, I was waiting for a that big vocal that I felt was coming but didn’t. That said the production, lyrics, and overall feel of the song make up for this one drawback especially when the outro/end breakdown comes in! The outro was unexpected and the mix of Taran’s clear strong buttery tone mixed with the female background vocals deliver a great energy in both the chorus and close out the song that leaves you with a feeling of warmth and glowing brilliance.
As a businessman:
This song was instantly licensable as soon as the first drum hits come in. The song provides a great getaway feeling and brings visions of travel, cruise, & hotel commercials to mind right away. There is also the feeling that this song belongs on a Disney or Pixar soundtrack. Don’t be surprised if hear this song in movie and its accompanying soundtrack because it fits that mold perfectly.

The song is very appealing especially on the Adult Contemporary side of things with its radio friendly runtim of 3:38. The gradual climactic feel is appealing and uplifting. Most importantly the song leaves you with a good feeling and catchy hook that pleasantly plays over in your head: “Get Away Away” and “I’ll Take You Away Away“.
Summary:
Overall this song feels good, has a catchy chorus phrase, and makes you want to play it again. If Taran Gray continues making music like this and is able to tell stories reminiscent of Elton John and Phil Collins then I think his current and soon to be fans have a lot to look forward to. - Jonny~Noel

Producer and songwriter Taran Gray grew up in an artistic family. His father was a lighting designer, technical director and performer at the Lambs Players Theater, while his mother grew up singing memorable songs to him as a young child. Initially not looking to become a producer, Taran Gray was recording with an artist and without a present engineer in sight, took charge and his hidden talent was exposed. Now, with his own music in the works and upcoming projects with other talented artists, much is to be expected from this triple threat this year. Check out his interview below.

Tell us about the moment you knew you wanted to be an artist?

I grew up in an artistic family. My Father has worked at Lambs Players Theater as a lighting designer, technical director, and performer since before I was born. My Mom, a designer in her own right also sang to me a lot growing up, songs like, “Close To You” by the Carpenters. When we would have family events with my grandma, sister, uncles, aunts, and cousins, everyone would sit down and sing together. I grew up thinking all adults sang and performed for each other, so a career doing that always seemed natural.

When did you start producing music for other artists?

That was a complete fluke. I was a songwriter first and one day I joined an artist in the studio who was recording a song I wrote.

There was no producer in the room, just the engineer and the artist. I started suggesting things I wanted to hear; vocal choices or accents on different instruments. One of them mentioned to me that I would make a good producer.

Have you ever created a song intended for another artist but ended up keeping it for yourself?

I’ve co-written and produced material for other artists that I’m often very proud of. However, I’ve never ended up taking that material for myself, in fact the opposite is true. Sometimes I’ll write songs for myself that I realize fit the culture of a different artist better than it fits my own.

What type of artists do you look for to work with? Are you open to anyone?

I’m not open to anyone, my main interest is in working with artist’s who are strong vocally. All of my music heroes; Luther Vandross, Anita Baker, Whitney Houston, Nat King Cole, Phil Collins, Elton John, Kenny Loggins, Michael Jackson, all express their art mainly through their vocal track. You could listen to any of those artists’ A Cappella and the song would still make you feel. If you can make me feel with just your voice, we have something to build on.

Who is one artist that you would really love to work with?

Laura Mvula. She’s an artist who not only has an extremely unique style, but also an extremely unique voice. I would love to see what we could create together. Also, it’s time for Anita Baker to come out with a new love song.

How has being a producer opened other opportunities to expand your music?

My single “Away Away,” and the album that will follow, is just as much about my art as a producer as it is about my art as a singer. I think it’s a unique opportunity for me to really take people somewhere different.

Love your new song, “Away Away,” what inspired this track?

A couple years ago a close friend of mine told me he had made a big mistake in getting a girl pregnant. He immediately decided he would support the birth of the child and that he would stick around to raise her (she’s turned out to be the greatest gift of his life). He was terrified of all the changes that would be happening to him within those next few months. That night I wrote the lyrics of “Away Away” for him with the message, “True, there’s work that you need to do, but you need tending to, take a little break, cause the work will always wait.” He needed a moment to escape. Not from the situation, but from the emotions. I wanted to provide that for him.

What are your plans for this year? Any new projects we can look forward to?

Too many to count! Stay up to date with me and the artists I support on Twitter, this is a big year for all of us!

Taran Gray – @tarangraymusic
Flint – @flinttheband
Donovan – @dopezillamusic
Jules Galli – @GalliJules

What are you looking to achieve in your career? What’s the end goal?

My purpose and reason for why I sing has developed through different life experiences, that’s always growing. I love watching people be joyful.

I’d love to see people of all different cultures and walks of life under one roof being joyful, and be the source of that. It doesn’t matter if it’s a large concert or a small meal. - Lisa Wilson