This month UCW Magazine had the opportunity to conduct an interview
with up and coming music artist Tara London.
The Music industry has described this Up & Coming Artist as 'Nora
Jones with Attitude!' " Without a doubt you all will be seeing and
hearing a lot more from this fresh, talented young woman!"
With training in Acting, Musical and Technical Theatre, Tara
London’s involvement in performance and composition dates back to the
early days of her youth. Strong influences including Billie Holiday,
Elvis Presley and Janis Joplin explain her passion for individuality
and flair, especially in the adverse face of existing trends.
Now to our Question & Answer Session with Tara London as conducted
by Louis Velazquez.
Lou: Good morning Tara, how are you today?
Tara: Hi Lou, I'm very well thank you, hope this finds you
well also.
Lou: Lets start off by letting readers of UCW know a
little about you, can you tell us where you are from, how long you’ve
been performing and writing music, and where you have been performing
as of late?
Tara: I am originally from London UK, I have been performing
since I was at primary school. My first live experience was at 'The
Royal Festival Hall' in London when I was 14, I was a soloist for a
two hundred strong choir, I remember being so nervous my entire body
was shaking. I wrote my first song when I was 15. I then studied
Musical Theatre, acting and composition.
I have performed all across London and the south East, including
prestigious venues such as The Bedford, Regal rooms, Halo and the
Broadway Theatre amongst many others.
Lou: Wow, that's pretty interesting, you seem to be
grooming yourself for more than music. Where do you see yourself in
the next 3-5 years in the music industry?
Tara: At the moment I am currently finishing my E.P
'Ordinary Girl' that should be available in the Autumn this year, then
I intend to complete my debut album 'The Whispering Years'. 3 to 5
years from now I hope to be a successful recording artist, sharing my
music with the world, and still loving every moment of what I'm doing.
Lou: What was the first and most important moment that
drove you to pursuing your music career?
Tara: I wouldn't say there was any one defining moment, but
a series of many. As a young girl I loved the way music could make me
feel, I used to listen to old Elvis, Billie Holiday and Ella
Fitzgerald records and thought it must be a wonderful thing to express
yourself though music. I also adore the tangible way in which music
has a positive effect on peoples daily lives.
Lou: Of course in today’s world of music there is a lot
of crossing over and the influence of other genres of music which flow
into an artist music, can you tell the readers of UCW what different
influences forge your music?
Tara: My early influences were Blues & Soul, artists such as
Billie Holiday, Elvis, Ella Fitzgerald, these were records my Dad
played constantly, later I developed a love of The Stones, The
Beatles, Janis Joplin, Jackson Browne, Carol King to name but a few, I
just have an insatiable appetite for great music.
Lou: Now to stay on the topic of crossing over, do you
see yourself possibly crossing over into acting, or are you looking to
stick with music?
Tara: I adore anything creative, everything from Art to
Architecture! I studied Acting at college, and enjoyed every minute of
it, but my heart belongs to music, always has done, its a love affair
of epic proportions!
Lou: What are your feelings on the music industry today?
Tara: I have felt for a long time that the industry is
lacking in certain areas. I miss the heady days of 'real' musicians'
singing & performing great songs. I miss the fact that with the
exception of a few, where have all the amazing singers gone? I think
the industry has become punctuated making money and girls taking their
clothes off to get noticed. I don't like the fake sincerity, or the
fame hungry side of this industry, For me it is all about the MUSIC
first and foremost, giving the listener something tangible that they
can relate to, something they can enjoy or call upon again and again
whenever they need too.
Lou: Now lastly, where can readers find out more about
Tara London and keep up with your career?
Tara: I can be found performing at various venues across
London and the South East, also people can log onto my website
www.taralondonmusic.co.uk,
or MySpace
www.myspace.com/taralondon or find me on Facebook and Twitter,
www.twitter.com/tara_London to find out what I'm up to.
Lou: Tara I want to thank you for taking time out today for
UCW Magazine, and if its ok with you we would like to revisit you in
about six months or so just to get updated with your career, which I’m
sure will soar.
Tara: No, Thank you so much for taking an interest in my
music and talking to me, has been a pleasure, would be great to catch
up again with you in six months.
