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Interview with Tara VanFlower After working many years with Lycia and her side projects such as Estraya and others, VMU wanted to catch up with solo artist Tara Vanflower to see what's new! SO IT BEGINS! VMU: Hey how are you and what have you been up to? Tara: I've been recording a solo album. I've got four tracks completed and another two started. I also finished a novel a few months back that is currently being edited. VMU: Could you tell us briefly about your musical history? Tara: Lycia is my musical history for the most part. Before Lycia I was in two bands briefly where all we did was record a few demos. VMU: How many releases have you put out under Tara? Tara: Only one, This Womb Like Liquid Honey. VMU: Who produced the albums and where? Tara: Mike and I produced This Womb... and we recorded it in our home studio. VMU: Were the recordings done digital or analog? (if computer what programs) Tara: This Womb... was recorded on digital. Currently I'm recording on the computer using Acid and Sound Forge. VMU: To cut all the drama with "Lycia" we all know its done and over with. Did you feel going solo was a bigger step? Tara: No. It's not a "bigger" step....it's just a different step. Things will never be as focused as they were with Lycia as far as I can tell. Unless something miraculous happens...which I suppose is not out of the realm of possibilities. VMU: Who do you currently work with musically? Tara: Myself mostly, though I will have a guest (or maybe two) on the next release. VMU: Could you tell us a little about your new release? Tara: It's much darker thus far than This Womb Like Liquid Honey was. The songs are along the lines of the more ambient pieces of the last album. There will be no drums (at least I have no plans to use them so far! That could change though). Every sound on the album has been generated by my mouth or hand held objects (none of which are instruments) and then heavily processed with fx. VMU: How do you feel about the mainstream music scene? And are you a fan of any artists over seas? Tara: I don't feel anything for the mainstream music scene really. I don't listen to music very often at all, and when I do it's not the radio or MTV. I'm not saying that to be cool, it's just the truth. I honestly don't listen to that much music. The music I do listen to is the same music I've been listening to for years with the exception being the few cds by friends or aquaintances I've been blessfully given. I'm a fan of some bands from overseas like The Cure, Death in June, Current 93, Queen Adreena...but I honestly don't think about whether something is from "here" or somewhere else...music is music. VMU: Any tours in the works? Tara: No! hahaha! I couldn't tour right now if I had to. VMU: Who will be carrying your releases any worldwide distro or independent? Tara: Hopefully Silber will be releasing the album and will distribute it according to their connections. I don't pay very close attention to those sorts of details. VMU: Could you tell us who are your musical influences? Tara: I try not to let anything influence my music necessarily. My primary influence is Mike Vanportfleet. Besides him I like Swans, Stone Breath, Trance to the Sun, Numina, Faith and the Muse, the bands I listed earlier and several I'm forgetting! VMU: You are also a poet? Tara: I suppose that would be open to interpretation. I would never refer to myself as one. I just write words down. VMU: What other side projects have you been in and what can we expect in the future? Tara: I've worked with Numina and very minimally with Falling You. I plan a collaboration with Timothy Renner of Stone Breath in the not-too-distant future. I also did a side project with Mike called Estraya. We released an EP several years ago. There are no plans to continue that project at this time. VMU: What really drives you to do what you do? Tara: I have no idea! That's a great question and I've asked myself that a thousand times. Obviously I have some need to create, but for what reason or purpose I am unaware! VMU: Do you enjoy playing live? Any bad experiances? Tara: I did enjoy playing live for the most part. Something happens on stage, surounded by music, feeling it come through you. Bad experiences!? Oh yes! Too many to tell! Let's chalk it all up to being too poor to bring a soundman and having to rely on house soundmen who have NO IDEA how to work with a band like Lycia. That and people taking advantage of your kindness. VMU: What could you tell the young up and comers that are trying to break into the scene? Tara: I have no advice to give. Wait, yes I do: Don't be manipulated. Stick to your principles. And play live nonstop if you want to make it to the elusive "next level". VMU: Thanks so much for your time! Any last words? Tara: Thank you for being interested! Hopefully the album will be finished within the next few months and available in the Spring or Summer of next year! Also check out Mike's album Beyond the Horizon Line which just came out on Silber. http://www.silbermedia.com take care! Additional contact: http://www.lyciummusic.com VM UNDERGROUND Sept 29 2004 |
