Interview – Tareya

Photo Credit: Phil Crozier

Calgary based singer/songwriter Tareya, formerly of Canadian country music hit makers Autumn Hill, has gone solo. Her new single “Summer Wheels” is set to drop on June 2nd, just in time for summer. With this single Tareya establishes her own sound that blurs the lines between country, pop and even R&B. “Summer Wheels” also gives you a taste of the full length that is currently in the works. Canadian Beats had the chance to catch up with Tareya to talk about her new single and solo career. Check out what she had to say below.

Tell us about your new single “Summer Wheels”.

I saw the ocean for the first time in my 20s and fell in love! Waking up, listening to Bob Marley, eating breakfast on the beach, watching surfers, driving along the coast with the windows down watching the waves rolling and crashing. It is my happy place. I wanted to write a song that captured everything about it and I wanted the listener to be the one in the driver’s seat.

How would you say your own sound differs from that of Autumn Hill?

The spectrum of emotion is greater and my style from song to song is more diverse. The songs on the album are more playful, more dramatic and more vulnerable than songs I’ve released in the past. I wanted to write lyrics that were authentic; every song is about something I have personally experienced.

What made you decide to take on a solo project at this point in your career?

I am so grateful for my time with Mike in Autumn Hill. I made a lifelong friend, met so many wonderful people along the way and learned so much. The solo project is an artistic path that I just felt I needed to take. I need some time to explore who I am as an independent artist.

Do you plan on continuing to release music as part of Autumn Hill, or do you plan to stay focused on your solo career?

I’ve been working extremely hard on the solo album, putting all my energy into it. There is so much I want to express and create and I feel like this is just the beginning. Of course, there’s no telling what the future holds for Autumn Hill, anything is possible, but for the time being I need to explore this solo direction.

How do you think your experiences with Autumn Hill shaped your current solo career?

Autumn Hill has taught me so much I couldn’t even begin to share how much it has shaped me as a person, singer, partner and musician. I knew exactly what I wanted this solo experience to look like; I knew the type of people and team I wanted to surround myself with, I knew I wanted to create an album as an independent artist instead of signing with a record label right away, I knew who my fans were and what I wanted to share and experience with them through the new music. Autumn Hill gifted me a lot of perspective and the opportunity to make conscious decisions about how and what I wanted to put out into the world as an artist.

When can we expect the release of the full-length album?

September 2017

Here at Canadian Beats we like to include a ‘just for fun’ portion to help our readers get to know you better. Ready…?

If you weren’t doing music, what do you think you would be doing?

I’d probably be a painter or an artisan of some sort. I love emotional expression through the arts; I find it cathartic.

If you could collaborate with anyone, dead or alive, who would if be and why?

I had the absolute pleasure of getting to know Jann Arden and joined her on the song “Karolina”. There’s nothing more surreal than collaborating with an influence who shaped you as an artist! In the spirit of collaborating with idols, I would say most definitely Celine Dion or Shania Twain.

What is your fondest memory of being on stage?

Last year we opened for Dierks Bentley at Sunfest in BC and the festival was outside in the middle of the mountains — the most beautiful scenery. The sun was setting during our set and the whole crowd was singing along. I had this overwhelming moment of gratitude for how special the experience was, and how lucky I am to do what I love.

What is on your current personal playlist that you just can’t get enough of?

Adele, Little Big Town, Chris Stapleton.

Simply because we are both Calgarian’s, What is your favourite music venue in the city?

It’s not around anymore, but there was a little cafe in Marda Loop called “Karma” where I used to play open mics. I loved the cafe for it’s dark, casual and intimate string-light atmosphere. I can’t vouch for their menu though because I was always too nervous to eat anything.

And last but not least, is there anything you would like to say to your fans?

Thank you so much for all your love and support. I hope that you love this new single and album as much as I do, I made it with all of you in mind. See you soon!  xo Tareya

Connect with Tareya:
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iTunes