The ‘Friends Like These’ EP is the second release from rising star Tara Priya and is due for release on Liquid Records on 18th May 2015.
It’s a gorgeous collection of six compelling, atmospheric songs – Not At All, Friends Like These, previous single One Foot Out, Who That, Ghosts and Let You Go – that effortlessly meld elements of jazz, soul and the irresistible head nod grooves of ‘90’s hip hop to create a sound that’s classic, contemporary and totally original.
It’s ghetto soul with a western electronic bent that enraptures from the first listen and calls to mind the likes of Morricone and J Dilla at times and the cool, laid back vibe of a smoky speakeasy at others.
Forthcoming single 'Not At All' is a song about guilt and devotion and features a creeping bass line and dry guitar strumming that swells into shimmers, setting the background for Tara’s stunning voice.
The title track from the EP, 'Friends Like These' is a delicate, echoing piano melody driven by jazz-hip-hop fusion drums, whose lyrics deal with the pretence of friendship in service of ulterior motives.
Tara’s voice is striking – strong, powerful and utterly soulful. Her musical influences include RZA, Luis Bacalov, James Blake, Nancy Sinatra, Dead Prez, Wu-Tang Clan and Billie Holiday.
Tara was born in San Francisco to a Persian mother, the niece of the much lauded poet and modernist painter Sohrab Sepehri, and an Indian Father. After a stint in LA and with a passion for the eclecticism of the UK music scene, she relocated to London in 2014.