Tara McDonald

Tara McDonald

You may not know the name but you will most definitely be familiar with the voice. Tara McDonald is the vocal talent behind the massive club and chart smash hit "My My My" from Armand Van Helden and the huge anthem, "Feel The Vibe" from Swedish maestro Axwell. These tracks took the charts by storm, both debuting at #1 in the club charts, before they peaked in the UK sales charts at #12 and #16 respectively.

Tara has been singing professionally since the tender age of 9, starting her career in London's West End. She performed in Les Miserables at The Palace Theatre and Bernadette at The Dominion, before representing England in international singing competitions. Tara's subsequent success resulted in her performing with Julio Iglesias at Wembley Arena as well as singing with Harry Belafonte and filming the video for her debut single in Kenya. She has also co-hosted singing awards alongside Audrey Hepburn.

Having studied musical theatre and trained as a dancer, Tara has subsequently worked and performed with a wide range of musical talent across a broad spectrum of genres from Gary Brooker, Eric Clapton and Bryan Ferry to Wawa, Futureshock and Massive Attack. More recently she has made high profile appearances such as performing with Planet Funk at MTV's Ibiza Dance Festival alongside Faithless and Basement Jaxx. Tara has additionally committed significant time to performing and touring for charitable causes; an aspect of her work schedule she is keen to maintain in the future.

Tara's studio work has lead her to co-write alongside the cream of the global house fraternity, as well as starting work on her solo project having been signed to Hed Kandi records. Tara initially co-wrote D-Sides debut single, "Stronger Than Ever" which charted highly in Ireland and subsequently became the title song of their album. She has followed this up with work alongside Eddie Thoenick, David Guetta, Mark Knight, Mark Wilkinson, Kenny Dope, Todd Terry, Roger Sanchez, Stonebridge and Laidback Luke.

2008 was another hugely successful year for Tara as her collaboration with David Guetta, the aptly named 'Delirious', becoming one of the most played tracks on European radio in 2008. This exposure, alongside the success of "Get Down" with Todd Terry, Kenny Dope and DJ Sneak and a string of high energy, crowd pleasing slots at UK and overseas dance festivals, and numerous club PA's, has helped continue to build her profile and increase her popularity across the globe.

Her most recent release - 'Shake it' with Lee Cabrera vs Thomas Gold has already proved to be a dance floor smash, going down a storm whenever and wherever she has performed it and it is very easy to conclude that Tara is a tremendous talent, whose star will continue to shine brightly in the coming months and years.

Tara McDonald will be at Betterdays on New Years Day 2010 alongside Cassius, Fred Falke and more!

When: New Years Day 1st January 2010
Where: Carousel on Albert Park Lake Aughtie Drive Albert Park
Tickets: $90 via promoters
More info: www.betterdays.com.au

Interview with Tara McDonald

What are you looking forward to most about Better Days?

Tara McDonald: As this is my first time to come and play in Australia I'm so excited as so many people have been telling me that its incredible! A lot of DJ/producers that I've worked with have said that people are really into there music in Oz and go crazy. I've had some messages from fans saying that Betterdays is an insane party and set in a beautiful location so I can't wait!!! I'm actually playing a bunch of shows in Sydney too and there may be another couple of dates added to this tour so if people can't make Betterdays then check out my myspace www.myspace.com/taramcdonald page for gig listings.


How did it feel to hear your voice played all over the airwaves?

Tara McDonald: It's a really funny feeling actually to have thought of a song, maybe recorded it in your bedroom and then you hear it on the radio or in a shop. I still get a kick out of it. "My My My" is still played all the time on commercial radio here in the UK. Sometimes I'll be driving in my car and it comes on the radio, it always makes me smile and reminds me that anything is possible. The first time I heard myself was when the Axwell track "Feel the Vibe" was released. I was driving to my parent's house from the studio and it came on the radio as I was coming up their drive. I cranked up the radio and my mum, dad me and their dog Guinness danced around the car. It really was a great experience to share with them, especially as they've been there through the high and lows of my career!


Did you have any pre-conceived ideas about the music industry?

Tara McDonald: No not really. I was the first one in my family to have a career in music so I was completely naive and green. I didn't know what to expect so made a few mistakes here and there and I think that's why it took me a while to get here as I didn't know really where to go or how to get along, but just followed my heart and kept on working. Eventually things worked out and now I'm looking forward to all the adventures that the future holds. I'm still learning, opening doors and proving myself, there's a lot more I want to achieve.


Do you write your own songs too? If so, what's your inspiration?

Tara McDonald: Yes most of the tracks I've featured on I've also co written with the exception of "My My My" with Armand Van Helden and the new single "Shake it" with Lee Cabrera and Thomas Gold which is out now on CR2. All the others with Axwell, David Guetta, Todd Terry etc I've written. Inspirational almost always is from my life, something that I'm going through or something that I need to remind myself of doing, Writing is really cathartic for me, I get so much out of my system this way. "Get Down" was all about falling in love and "Delirious" was written with an ex boyfriend, we were dying to stop work and go on holiday but couldn't as our schedules were so crazy, so the lyric is all about getting out of London and being on a beach somewhere exotic with the sun on our faces.


What music/artists do you listen to when you are not playing your own?

Tara McDonald: I have a broad range of music that I love. This year I've been playing MGMT's album a lot, I'm a big Prince fan too. I also really love watching live bands and going to gigs but I've been so busy this year I've hardly gone out to see any new bands or artists. I did see Blur play in the UK this year and they blew me away! Ibiza was great too as I was in and out all season so got tot see some of my favourite DJ's spin. One of the best moments for me was at the closing party for Pete Tong's Wonderland, Eric Prydz had made his own mix of Bonkers and the place went completely crazy, it was insane! Also I managed to see Grace Jones, who's such a legend perform at Space and that was awesome, she's so inspiring!


What's next? Tour/Album/Single?

Tara McDonald: All of the above! I'm touring constantly really, it's been an incredible year for that. Lots of new countries and the gigs keep on getting better and better. Also there's new territory ahead as I've signed my solo record deal with Ministry of Sound/Hed Kandi which is really exciting. I aim to release my first record next year and have also been working on a few collaborations too with DJ/producers that I haven't worked with before. The next scheduled release will be a really fresh sounding track that I've co written with Mowgli which will be released on Data next year.


Was there a moment you contemplated throwing in the towel?

Tara McDonald: There are always going to be moments like this in what ever job you do. Music can be a hard business and extremely competitive, sometimes you can feel like you don't know who to trust. I just keep my head down and keep on working. The tough part is with all the touring, traveling and lack of sleep to remain in a normal head space can be hard and sometimes the loneliness of hotel rooms and not seeing the people I care about for weeks on end does get to me, like it would anyone. But then I also know how lucky I am and for all the hardships they are really just a small price to pay as if I didn't do this job (which is my life and passion) I would be really miserable. I have to keep reminding myself how lucky I am. I have so many amazing opportunities now and feel like this is just the beginning, I have so much more in me to give, you've only seen the tip of the iceberg LOL!


Do you prefer performing live or recording?

Tara McDonald: I really need to do both! I get a buzz from each experience. When I'm performing on stage with a fired up crowd we are like old friends sharing an experience. We make each other push ourselves further, the energy keeps bouncing back and forth and it really feels like magic. But on the other hand, working with someone in the studio, finding an idea that you can't stop singing uplifts you so much. This is an incredible feeling and no money in the world could ever buy that experience. I have a need to be creative and a need to be onstage and share a part of myself with people, I do not know why exactly, all I do know is that if I don't do this for a while then I start feeling depressed. I swear that having music in my life keeps me sane!


What/who was your inspiration to go into the music industry?

Tara McDonald: To be honest with you the music industry was never really my goal I just loved to sing and write songs and that's the only thing I have ever really been passionate about. The industry side of things still scares me slightly. Inside I'm quite a shy person but my biggest believers and fans are my mum and dad. They gave up so much and never failed to support me and my art. Without them maybe I would have given up a long time ago. Every artist has knock backs along the road, I guess I'm still very hungry very dedicated to what I do, I'm getting better at the business side of things too!


What is the biggest challenge you have faced along the way to your musical success?

Tara McDonald: Just when you seem to have everything in order along comes a new challenge..I think I'm facing my biggest hurdle right now. It's a big jump to be featuring on a record to making your own tracks in your own name. When I made records with Armand Van Helden or David Guetta of course it was a really big deal to me..These guys are so well respected already and have a huge fan base. When it's me on my own without the big guns I have to work even harder and make sure that I'm 100% happy with the records. This album is so important to me, I'm so excited about it but of course a little nervous too!


What's a typical day like?

Tara McDonald: If its a gig day I'll wake up, do emails catch a plane sometimes two or maybe three depending on the country. The I go to a hotel, sounds check, back to hotel interviews, emails, listen to music, maybe work on a song, drink a lot of tea (well I am English) put on something shiny and do my hair and make up, sing on a stage, feel elated, back to hotel..... if its not a gig day the same as before except minus flights and sound check I'll be driving to the studio working on some new music, hopefully get something I'm really happy with and bounce around the room for a while, hee hee. I love it!


What has been your favorite part of becoming a music artist?

Tara McDonald: It's really amazing to get to a level where I can just work on my music and have no day job! You wouldn't believe some of the crazy jobs I used to do! I gig at the weekends and that funds my studio life, I don't have to think about anything other than my music and tours and you'd be surprised how much time this takes up! Its took me a long time to get to this place so I really appreciate it!


If you could collaborate with another artist, who would it be?

Tara McDonald: Wow there is so many amazing artists out there that I'd love to collaborate with. There's gonna be a few surprises on my album actually so watch this space for that! A long term dream of mine is to perform or write a song with Prince one day as he's so inspiring. I've loved him since I was a little girl.


Are you single? What do you look for in a partner?

Tara McDonald: I am single actually but it feels weird as I haven't been single for very long. The main things I look for in someone in strength of character. Someone who is loyal, supportive and strong. Independent hard working, calm and very caring. I'm not someone that goes into relationships lightly as I have a tendency to be very cautious and like to know a lot about some one before I get involved. It would have to be some one very special to understand the time I put into my career at the moment though.


Do you have a website fans can visit?

Tara McDonald: The best place to contact me is either on myspace, twitter, you tube or facebook.

I do reply to everything myself, so that's why it can sometime take me a while to get back to people. But I do always try and reply to everyone.

Myspace: www.myspace.com/taramcdonald
Twitter: http://twitter.com/TaraMcDonaldTV
You tube: www.youtube.com/user/TaraMcDonaldTV
Facebook: www.facebook.com/pages/Tara-McDonald/42928839780?ref=ts


Can you tell us 5 things required for a happy healthy & enjoyable life?

Tara McDonald: 1 To give yourself and break, I can be really hard on myself and its important to let yourself off the hook from time to time.
2 To always treat other as you'd like to be treated yourself
3 Remember what is really important to you, don't be fooled by bright lights and glitter
4 Tomorrow is another day with no mistakes in it, I heard it in a film once and its always stayed with me.
5 To keep love in your heart, make decisions with love in mind


What message would you like to say to your fans?

Tara McDonald: If there's something you want to do in life, never give up! If you really believe you are capable of doing it then you probably are. In the music industry a lot can change in just a day, so don't give up as who knows what is just around the corner. Work hard and eventually it will come : )

Can't wait to see you in Oz!!!!


60 Second Quiz
Full Name: Tara McDonald
Nickname(s): Taz
Star Sign: Virgo
Music Talent: singing and songs
Favorite Food: Indian
Favorite Film: Singing in the Rain
Favorite Actor: Danny Kaye/Jared Leto...depends on mood
Pet: Dog - if I was home more
Describe yourself in 3 words: kind, loyal and fun
Best Feature: eyes
Worst Feature: I'm trying to not think about them!
Person You Would Most Like to Meet: Good people with no hidden agendas.
Hobbies/Interests: Watching movies, fashion, reading, poetry, photography.
First Job: Eponine in Les Miserables Palace Theatre London aged 9
Are you a Pub, Bar or Club kind: Club obviously :)
What Can You Never Leave Home Without: blackberry and some make up on
What is the first thing you think of when you wake up in the morning: what have I got to do today?