Call her a diva and call her a folkie. Tara Velarde embodies that elusive combination of swagger and sensitivity. She writes songs with a sharp sense of poetics and vulnerability, and then steps up to the mic to her deliver words and vocal melodies with powerhouse pipes. Tara’s world is diva-folk, and she owns it on her upcoming album, Rise, out in May, to be preceded by the frisky single Something Bad.
Rise is an artistic watershed, and represents a powerful personal paradigm shift. “It’s not a concept album, but I call it ‘Rise’ because there are a lot of reoccurring themes of personal growth,” the Portland, Oregon-based artist says. “This is me accepting and embracing my own power.”
Tara’s special blend of folk is expansive, spanning soul, blues rock, a dash of theatrics, and a healthy helping of swagger. Her melding of verve and vulnerability has garnered Tara favourable comparisons to Brandi Carlile, Regina Spektor, and Carole King—great female powerhouses with a lot to say. Live, Tara has toured nationally and internationally, both as an intimate solo performer and fronting a band of world-class musicians
Lead-off single, Something Bad, is a smoldering dose of soul-funk replete with vibey wah-wah guitar, Hammond B3 organ supports, and robust bluesy vocals. This is a fiery commentary track, brimming with incisive metaphors and observations. “I don’t normally get political, but a couple of summers ago with the wildfires and the political climate it felt like things were stirring up. I had to speak up because it felt like we were headed in a destructive direction,” Tara shares.
Listen on Soundcloud or stream below.
Upcoming Shows:
April 13th // Portland, OR // Al's Den
April 19th // Eugene, OR // Oregon Wine Lab
April 28th // Portland, OR // Portland Saturday Market
May 4th // Forest Grove, OR // Grand Lodge
May 17th // Portland, OR // Secret Society
May 24th // Salem, OR // Taproot
May 26th // Rickreall, OR // Left Coast Estate Winery
May 29th // Portland, OR // Al's Den
June 1st // Forest Grove, OR // Grand Lodge
June 3rd // Hillsboro, OR // Rock Creek
June 10th // Hillsboro, OR // Rock Creek
June 14th // Puyallup, WA // Meeker Days
June 15th // Eugene, OR // Two Blue Roses House Concert Series
June 16th // Eugene, OR // Sam Bond's Garage
June 17th // Hillsboro, OR // Rock Creek
June 21st // Conway, WA // Conway Muse
June 23rd // Seattle, WA // Tim's Tavern
June 24th // Hillsboro, OR // Rock Creek
June 28th // Virginia City, NV // Canvas Cafe
July 12th // Portland, OR // Summer Free for All
July 18th // Portland, OR // The Big Legrowlski
July 19th // Seattle, WA // Bite of Seattle
July 20th // Gig Harbor, WA // Gig Harbor Arts Festival
July 21st // Liliwaup, WA // Hama Hama Summer Concert Series
July 27th // Rickreall, OR // Great White Wine Festival
July 30th // Portland, OR // Noon Tunes @ Pioneer Courthouse Square
August 2nd // Boise, ID // Sawtooth Winery
August 30th // McMinnville, OR // Walnut City Music Fest
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