When Tara Holloway opens up, you immediately get the sense that there’s someone real here.
She’s been compared to some of the more esteemed female artists of the present and past — the confessional style of Lucinda Williams, the haunting wail of Stevie Nicks, the broken charm of Shelby Lynne. But there is no mistaking that this is a truly original voice — someone new.
A troubadour by nature and adventurer at heart, she’s been singing and playing her songs across Canada extensively and started hitting south of the border into Nashville, Austin and Los Angeles, making fans with an immediate connection and a loose-knit circuit of topnotch musicians.
Along the way, she caught the attention of enigmatic ex-Jellyfish frontman Andy Sturmer. Sturmer encouraged her to record some songs with his friend, L.A. producer Dave Way, who has worked with Fiona Apple, Macy Gray and Sheryl Crow.
Some early recordings fell upon the ears of music supervisor Bob Thiele Jr., who plucked several tracks for the FX television show Sons of Anarchy (Thiele has subsequently received an Emmy nomination for the show’s music).
Holloway’s EP Sins to Confess was released in 2010.
“Se is so real, she should be the poster child for the next musical revolution. I have a great respect for her talent; she deserves our full attention. Just listen to her, just once, and you will know she is special, inspiring even. Give ’em hell, Tara!” — Steven L. Sheehan, Ottawa musician.
She performs Sept. 28 at Joe’s Garage in Courtenay. $10 advance tickets are on sale at Bop City Records. Joe’s kitchen opens at 6:30 p.m. on show night and is open for the night.
Call 250-702-MILO (6456) or visit the website at www.joeson5th.ca for more information.
— Joe’s Garage
