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Ringtones:
Ringtones:
Call Me
More from API Records at Myxer
Flow
More from API Records at Myxer
Loved
More from API Records at Myxer
Loved
1. Loved
2. Flow
3. New Year
4. Cosmic
5. 1-2-3
6. Here We Go
7. Call Me
8. Come On
9. Flow (James Bratton Remix)
10. Call Me (James Bratton Remix)
Produced by Tim Keyes for API Records
Mastered by Paul Goodrich at Merlin Music NYC
James Bratton appears courtesy of 111 East Records
Papa Doe Appears Courtesy of Hot and Fresh Entertainment
© 2009 Humbletunes
Manufactured, marketed and distributed by API Records
http://popolio.wordpress.com/
Tarra Dei Loved Released: March 3, 2009 Tarra Dei’s got a sweet voice that echoes the possibility and potential of past dance/techno/pop princess, Cathy Dennis, and more current pop diva, Kylie Minogue. Loved gets an “A” for effort, but the material isn’t quite at those heights. Dei co-wrote each of the 8 tracks (and 2 remixes) and lyrically she’s got a nice pop sensibility. Musically, the songs are similar enough that they create one sound, which isn’t a bad thing, but, they sound so similar that individual songs struggle to shine through. “You Were Loved” is a melodious reflection on past love with a sweet guitar riff and accompanying chorus. It’s one of those you’ll sing along to again and again. “New Year” is a clever take on new love that opens with a nice cello introduction and contains a playful interplay between Dei’s lead and backing vocals. “Call Me” is a flirty sing-song talky number about sitting by the phone waiting for that call (you know the one). Loved has a bit of a retro feel (I’d say a fusion of 80s and 90s), which I don’t mind. It even includes the requisite guest rapper with Pappa Doe appearing on “Flow” and “Cosmic.” He does a decent job, but for the next effort I’d speed up the beats, focus less on the rap, and really take it to the clubs. That voice has “dance diva” written all over it. ??1/2 Standout Track: “New Year” Check Out: “Flow,” “Cosmic,” and “Call Me” (James Bratton Remix)
Freddie Beat for Popolio
Interviews
http://jerseymusic.wordpress.com/2009/04/02/tarra-dei-interview/
Tarra Dei is an up and coming mostly pop artist originating from my own hometown, East Brunswick, New Jersey. She has had a passion for music for almost her entire life. Tarra signed to API Records back in 2001 and after many years of working hard and lifestyle changes; she released her first album Loved just recently, on March 3rd. The album is available for purchase on iTunes. Loved has a pop style sound but it’s also mixed with new wave and even some rap. The album definitely has its own unique sound and Tarra does an excellent job of not just blending in with what we all know to be popular. She does her own thing and it works for her. Tarra has been playing music since the second grade, it all started with the piano. By the age of seventeen she was playing in a professional orchestra, but her actual music career began a little later.
How did your music career start? – I went to college at Brookdale (Lincroft, NJ) for audio production. I actually started singing by accident. I met this kid in a chat room, he was a rapper and he was interested in writing and recording. He asked me to help him produce since I had experience; he ended up needing me to sing on one of the tracks because the girl who was supposed to do it backed out. I was interning with API at the time and I brought the tape into them. After that, they approached my parents with a contract. I was only nineteen at the time.
How did the writing process go with Loved? – I had been working on Loved since 2007. The writing process was difficult because I wanted to write stuff that had meaning because I want my kids to be able to listen to it one day. API gave me a lot of freedom. Everyone wants to yell along and curse to music but I wanted to write stuff that fifteen years down the road, my kids would be okay listening to it.
Was there any part of the writing process that was particularly hard for you? – Some of the songs like “Cosmic” were hard to write. When you only have a certain amount of syllables to say something in, it’s very hard. All of the songs are written from experience so it wasn’t hard to think of, it was just hard to make it all fit. For “Call Me” I had to write in this certain way where I would just write my stream of consciousness. It’s almost impossible to just write down exactly what you’re thinking. I was also being too specific with my writing; I would write about a situation that people couldn’t really apply to their own lives. I had to change it so people could relate to it.
Who are some of your biggest influences? – Madonna. Everyone that listens to the music says you sound like Madonna; I grew up listening to her. Growing up I was also into Nirvana, Nine Inch Nails, and Smashing Pumpkins was my first concert. I’m a big rock fan, but it’s really hard to sing rock. That’s why I do more pop stuff. These days I’m in love with Gwen Stefani. Click below to continue reading what Tarra has to say about her goals, women in the music industry, and more!
Is there anywhere that you really want your music to take you? -Part of me just really wants to go back to East Brunswick. It’s always great to just go back home. Also, this band from Austria contacted me through Myspace about playing with them. That would be really cool, to go there.
What are your goals for Loved and any future albums? – With this album there’s a little something on there for everyone. The beauty of iTunes is that people can just buy the songs they like. If there is a big hit on this album we’ll know where to go in the future. This album was very experimental.
Do you feel like women in the music industry have a disadvantage? - If you look at the videos that are on VH1 and MTV. Look at the men, some of them are really not good looking. But the women, they have to be attractive to be on TV. It’s very hard to be a female artist with a message unless you have a perfect body, perfect hair, and perfect skin. There’s a lot of pressure. I think it’s a little easier for women in rock, but it’s still hard.
Can you tell us the story of the album cover tattoo? -I actually have that tattoo on my neck. Madonntarra2a has this music video that got banned from TV called “What it Feels Like for a Girl”. In the video she’s just basically running around being a bad ass and you only see it for like a second, but she has that tattoo.
If there was anyone you could record music with, who would it be? -If I was allowed to pick someone dead I would pick Kurt Cobain, hands down. I was in an all girl Nirvana cover band in high school. But if I had to pick someone alive, I would pick Chris Martin from Coldplay. He has this smooth voice and it would be cool because he can sing higher than me and that would be the opposite of what people would expect.
How is promotion for the album going? -I do most of it myself through Myspace. It’s not as glamorous as MTV makes it out to be if you’re on an independent label and you’re a new artist. I keep my whole mentality. I really want to reach out to people and make a difference. You can check out Tarra’s music for yourself on her Myspace. Also catch her at her album release party at the Bus Stop Cafe in Pitman, NJ on June 26th. It starts at six and 10% of the money made will go towards the fellowship fund at the Pitman Manor to help the elderly.
Posted by: laurages
http://jerseymusic.wordpress.com/2009/04/02/tarra-dei-interview/
Tarra Dei is an up and coming mostly pop artist originating from my own hometown, East Brunswick, New Jersey. She has had a passion for music for almost her entire life. Tarra signed to API Records back in 2001 and after many years of working hard and lifestyle changes; she released her first album Loved just recently, on March 3rd. The album is available for purchase on iTunes. Loved has a pop style sound but it’s also mixed with new wave and even some rap. The album definitely has its own unique sound and Tarra does an excellent job of not just blending in with what we all know to be popular. She does her own thing and it works for her. Tarra has been playing music since the second grade, it all started with the piano. By the age of seventeen she was playing in a professional orchestra, but her actual music career began a little later.
How did your music career start? – I went to college at Brookdale (Lincroft, NJ) for audio production. I actually started singing by accident. I met this kid in a chat room, he was a rapper and he was interested in writing and recording. He asked me to help him produce since I had experience; he ended up needing me to sing on one of the tracks because the girl who was supposed to do it backed out. I was interning with API at the time and I brought the tape into them. After that, they approached my parents with a contract. I was only nineteen at the time.
How did the writing process go with Loved? – I had been working on Loved since 2007. The writing process was difficult because I wanted to write stuff that had meaning because I want my kids to be able to listen to it one day. API gave me a lot of freedom. Everyone wants to yell along and curse to music but I wanted to write stuff that fifteen years down the road, my kids would be okay listening to it.
Was there any part of the writing process that was particularly hard for you? – Some of the songs like “Cosmic” were hard to write. When you only have a certain amount of syllables to say something in, it’s very hard. All of the songs are written from experience so it wasn’t hard to think of, it was just hard to make it all fit. For “Call Me” I had to write in this certain way where I would just write my stream of consciousness. It’s almost impossible to just write down exactly what you’re thinking. I was also being too specific with my writing; I would write about a situation that people couldn’t really apply to their own lives. I had to change it so people could relate to it.
Who are some of your biggest influences? – Madonna. Everyone that listens to the music says you sound like Madonna; I grew up listening to her. Growing up I was also into Nirvana, Nine Inch Nails, and Smashing Pumpkins was my first concert. I’m a big rock fan, but it’s really hard to sing rock. That’s why I do more pop stuff. These days I’m in love with Gwen Stefani. Click below to continue reading what Tarra has to say about her goals, women in the music industry, and more!
Is there anywhere that you really want your music to take you? -Part of me just really wants to go back to East Brunswick. It’s always great to just go back home. Also, this band from Austria contacted me through Myspace about playing with them. That would be really cool, to go there.
What are your goals for Loved and any future albums? – With this album there’s a little something on there for everyone. The beauty of iTunes is that people can just buy the songs they like. If there is a big hit on this album we’ll know where to go in the future. This album was very experimental.
Do you feel like women in the music industry have a disadvantage? - If you look at the videos that are on VH1 and MTV. Look at the men, some of them are really not good looking. But the women, they have to be attractive to be on TV. It’s very hard to be a female artist with a message unless you have a perfect body, perfect hair, and perfect skin. There’s a lot of pressure. I think it’s a little easier for women in rock, but it’s still hard.
Can you tell us the story of the album cover tattoo? -I actually have that tattoo on my neck. Madonntarra2a has this music video that got banned from TV called “What it Feels Like for a Girl”. In the video she’s just basically running around being a bad ass and you only see it for like a second, but she has that tattoo.
If there was anyone you could record music with, who would it be? -If I was allowed to pick someone dead I would pick Kurt Cobain, hands down. I was in an all girl Nirvana cover band in high school. But if I had to pick someone alive, I would pick Chris Martin from Coldplay. He has this smooth voice and it would be cool because he can sing higher than me and that would be the opposite of what people would expect.
How is promotion for the album going? -I do most of it myself through Myspace. It’s not as glamorous as MTV makes it out to be if you’re on an independent label and you’re a new artist. I keep my whole mentality. I really want to reach out to people and make a difference. You can check out Tarra’s music for yourself on her Myspace. Also catch her at her album release party at the Bus Stop Cafe in Pitman, NJ on June 26th. It starts at six and 10% of the money made will go towards the fellowship fund at the Pitman Manor to help the elderly.
Posted by: laurages
