Introduction and Background
Can you please introduce yourself and tell us a bit about your musical journey and background?
My name is Tina Tara, I am a vocalist, songwriter and sometimes produce or co-produce my music as well. I have been born and raised in Austria where I began my musical education when I was 3 years old. I started playing the piano and was lucky to receive classical piano classes from the age of 6. My true passion for singing developed when I was eight and I found Whitney Houston’s first Album next to my mums record player. I was instantly hooked and although becoming a singer was never a supported career goal in my immediate circle, I carried the wish deep in my heart to become a singer and stand on a stage.
Long story short, in my late teens I went against everyone’s wish and applied for a music course at various Londoner music colleges. I was accepted at a few of them and decided to move to London to study Popular Music Performance at the BIMM institute.
Once at college I was in the right environment to create and make my own music heart. I wrote an EP called Not An Angel and released it a couple of years later. I toured with a 10piece band through London which was a highlight in my very early music career times.
In 2016 my life took a bit of a turn as I was diagnosed with an auto immune disorder that left me half paralyzed for the better part of three years. For a few years I worked very hard on myself, on healing my body and mind, I studied psychosomatic causes to illness etc. until I found a way forward and managed to heal myself.
Once I realized my body was in a healthy state again (which did take months), I was drenched in luck and positivity. I wanted to share this positivity through my music. I changed my artist name to Tina Tara and began a journey of empowerment and self-love. I released a few songs in 2019 and 2020 one of which claimed the US Charts until it hit the Top 40 Billboard Charts and was on #2 on the Independent New Music Weekly Charts.
This accomplishment was enough to give me the chance to move to the US and build my home in California.
A year after I moved to California I was invited to sing the National Anthem for the Chicago Bulls and the Chicago White Sox which was one of my bucket list items come true and to this day I am grateful for the opportunity.
I am currently working on new material this year and will be releasing the first single beginning of March. Date TBC.
Who are some of your biggest musical influences, and how have they shaped your sound and style?
My biggest influence was definitely Whitney Houston and her incredible ability to capture hearts with her delivery and powerful range. I spent hours and hours over my childhood and teens practicing her songs and similar artists music such as Celine Dion, Christina Aguilera, Alicia Keys and the likes. Being able to have powerful vocals was my life goal. I was obsessed.
Can you share a specific artist or album that has had a significant impact on your music?
There are so many. Here is a small selection.
Whitney Houston – You Give Good Love
Christina Aguilera – Stripped
Alicia Keys – Songs in A Minor
Lady Gaga – The Fame
Maroon 5 – Songs About Jane
What’s your creative process like when you’re composing or writing a new song?
I let inspiration take me wherever it wants to take me. I might sit at the piano and noddle around with chords until I find something that fits, I might look for instrumentals or beats online and let it take me from there or I am in the car and a melody comes to mind that I need to record immediately.
Sometimes I write the lyrics first and write the melody around them, sometimes I find a melody and it inspires the lyrics. I don’t have any rules. The only rule I try to abide by is that my music comes from my heart and soul, not my head. Which is not always so easy to achieve especially being involved in aspects of marketing and selling the song after it was created. But I am learning to strike a balance there.
Among all the songs you’ve created, do you have a personal favorite? If so, what makes it special to you?
Can you share the story or inspiration behind that particular song?
My single “I’m On Fire” is very dear to me as it is a direct reflection of the struggle and growth behind my life and career. I wrote it in London when I worked with producer Anthony Goldsbrough who co-wrote the single with me. When I listen to this song it always makes me feel stronger and reminds me where I have been and how far I have come.
I believe everyone should have a song that makes them feel empowered and invincible, this one is mine.
Share a memorable or unique experience from one of your live performances.
I have come to learn that performing life is not what it seems to the outside world. There is a process of self discover, confidence and acceptance that I had to go through to become a better performer and entertainer but also to enjoy being on stage more and more.
The ideal scenario for any performer is, you step on a stage and the crowd goes wild for you being there. But that is not always reality. Not because the crowd hates what you do, but simply because sometimes you play for an audience that is just more mellow than you would like.
I performed a series of shows in London at the Virgin Money Member Lounges. The first show I did was so wonderful, the crowd was interactive and we all had a great time.
So, needless to say that when I did my second performance I was excited and thrilled to be there and could not wait to step on that stage.
When I did step on the stage and went through my set I kept trying to engage the audience, but they were all sitting and staring at me almost like they were either frozen or simply so bored by what I did wondering how they could get out of their seats to run away.
I felt very strange, but I did my set as I intended to, put my heart into my performance and finished with a big song that I loved to sing.
When I was done, I was sure everyone would just get up and leave.
However, people got up and formed a cue in front of the stage because they wanted to speak with me and take photos. I was so surprised but it was a very good lesson that sometimes people just want to be spectators and enjoy the show and sometimes they want to be in it and actively participate.
Beyond music, do you have any hobbies or interests that you’re passionate about? How do they influence your music?
I love working out, dancing, hiking, running, swimming – anything active that gets me out of my head and into my body. Lately, I need to actively plan time into my schedule to be able to do those things but I know that if I don’t get to regularly be active it impacts my mood, my well being and definitely the way I write, sing and perform.
Is there a dream collaboration you’d like to pursue in the future?
There are a lot of artists out there that I would love to collaborate, but one that sticks out is definitely Lewis Capaldi. What a voice!
What advice would you give to aspiring musicians who are just starting their journey in the music industry?
There are two mantras that have kept me going, which I am willing to share here:
In life you only fail if you give up!
Don’t stop now, it’s just around the corner.
I think everyones artistic journey is different and I don’t think I have the right to tell anyone how to approach it, but if you have a vision, if you have a passion and if you want it bad enough, there is always a way. You just need to find it. And never, never listen to people telling you it is not possible. Usually they are the ones having given up on their dreams.
Can you give us a sneak peek into any upcoming projects or new music you have in the works? What can your fans and listeners look forward to from you in the near future?
Absolutely. As I have mentioned earlier, I am just working on new releases. I am switching it up a little and am releasing a new single beginning of March which will have different versions to it. I am exploring with a variety of genres at the moment and this is definitely a first for me but I think it will be fun and exciting. It is for me so I hope this song will resonate with my audience as well.