Tara MacLean

Tara MacLean is another Artist from Canada who shares a record label with Sarah McLachlan, Nettwerk Records.

This is not where the similarities end.  Tara's sound, I think, is very similar to Sarah's older stuff (think "Solace" with a little "Fumbling Towards Ecstasy" thrown in).  When I first heard Tara it was at a time when I was salivating for new Sarah material and we just weren't sure when or IF it was ever going to happen.

Tara MacLean was born on Prince Edward Island, in Canada's eastern Maritime Provinces. She lived until the age of four in a log cabin in the woods with her Mother, an accomplished actress and her Father, a Country and Gospel singer and songwriter.

"I haven't stayed in any one place for very long and so I've found that centre within myself," says Tara, who moved around considerably thereafter, living in England, the Caribbean and the West Coast of Canada.

The unending cycle of Human in nature, myth, unity and chaos and the elements that make up life are some of the subjects of Tara's songs, which weave shimmering organic melodies with an undulating trip-hop undertow, a musical correlative to feeding the soul without ignoring the flesh.

Tara's ride in the music business is almost as magical as the stories she weaves into her songs. She was discovered while singing with friends on the top deck of a ferry boat en route to a tiny island off the coast of British Columbia by two Nettwerk Records employees. After taping a few songs for them, Tara was signed and released her debut album, Silence, in 1996.

Two straight years of touring with the likes of Paula Cole, Ron Sexsmith, the Barenaked Ladies, and Lilith Fair followed the release, where she carved her own style and astounded audiences with her honesty and unforgettable voice. She has participated in numerous soundtracks and a benefit album for World Vision, as well as for various crisis centres. She was named Best New Solo Artist at the Canadian Radio Music Awards in 1997 , and also garnered an impressive buzz for her showcase at the 1998 South By Southwest in Austin, which led her to Capitol Records and her major label release.

By the time she was ready to record Passenger , Tara was at a new place in her life.

"My first record was a reflection of my search for hope. Now I am so happy and my outlook has changed from always looking inside myself to looking at the world around me. When I stopped focusing on pain, the beauty that I was capable of just flowed out. I let go of this tremendous sadness."

~from Tara's Official Site

P.S. Tara's younger sister died in the Summer of 2002 and it doesn't appear that Tara has done anything professionally since then...understandably...

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