Artist Bio

Eight years have passed since Tara MacLean released a solo CD; in that time, she has been living, loving and becoming more innately herself. Moments into her new disc, Wake, you can hear and feel Tara's evolution, both as a singer and songwriter. "In between solo records," she explains, "I made two albums and had three babies. That significantly affected this music in that I was much more emotional writing and recording these songs. Being pregnant makes me feel very strong, and a lot of the songs on Wake are about some of the challenges that I faced a few years back. Being in this extreme state helped me to perform the songs; it was a beautiful and powerful time to make music."

Tara's previous solo discs, Silence (1996) and Passenger (2000) provided her the opportunity to tour the world in support of her craft; MacLean performed throughout Asia as well as Canada and the U.S, garnering fan and critical acclaim alike while sharing her deeply personal melodies. MacLean's world suddenly came to a halt in 2002 when her sister Shaye died at the age of 26 as of the result of a motor vehicle accident. As a tribute, Tara embarked on a new musical project with fellow singer-songwriters Kim Stockwood and Damhnait Doyle. The trio was named ‘Shaye' after MacLean's late sister and was originally intended as a finite musical endeavour. "It was supposed to be a short project, we'd lay down a record of cover songs and that would be that. We ended up writing it and the project continued for five years, because we were having such a good time." The trio was not only fruitful musically -- producing two full-length CDs -- they also participated in a 4-part television documentary about the group. Tara considered the show an opportunity to deliver some of her personal politics to viewers. "I'm not interested in being in the spotlight just for the sake of being a celebrity, that is pointless. The show was a great opportunity to relay some messages. We did a campaign and performance with ‘Trillium Gift of Life' for people who are awaiting organ transplants. It was deeply touching and I was able to tell my sister's story. She had wanted to donate her organs but the system failed her."

After spending a half decade writing, recording and touring with Shaye, MacLean made the decision in 2007 to leave the group and get back to working full-time on her own solo career. "The only thing you have in life to get you through are your instincts; when one creative project is ending and another one is beginning, you feel it intuitively. Everything has it's season. I am so grateful for those five years; they really enriched my life and my art. I am a different performer and a different writer because of Kim And Damhnait."

MacLean never abandoned her solo work, spending time songwriting and recording her own material during breaks in that project. When putting together an initial road map for Wake, MacLean compiled a list of dream musicians and went on to make that wish happen. The disc's impressive performer list includes Kevin Hearn (Barenaked Ladies, Lou Reed) on keyboards, Andy Stochansky (Ani DiFranco) on drums, guitarist Kevin Breit (Norah Jones, kd lang) George Koller (Loreena McKennitt, Peter Gabriel) and Bill Bell, MacLean's former husband who produced and mixed Wake as well as performing on a number of tracks. Jeremy Fisher guests as a co-songwriter on disc opener "Wait It Out," while Tara brings her songwriting skills to every track on the CD, save for her haunting, poignant cover of Tears for Fears' "Mad World." Co-producer Ron Lopata (Ashley MacIssac, Ron Sexsmith) contributes his own production skills to the last three songs recorded for Wake, most notably the disc-closing "Generation Z." It is a track unlike any other Tara MacLean song you've ever heard, an opportunity to show her anger – and her passion – regarding the negative elements around her. "I needed a moment to just let go and say everything that was in my heart. I didn't think I would sing it, I thought someone else should, someone more used to screaming their politics. But once it was recorded it was clear that these were my words to shout. To be an activist, you have to be ignited enough to take action. That may look like anger. But once you act, the anger dissipates and gives way to an amazing feeling of peace and satisfaction."

She lives what she speaks; as a result, Wake is a zero footprint CD www.zerofootprint.net. "We used minimal packaging: 100% recycled paper and no hard plastic cases. I was arrested and jailed in 1993 for protesting the clear-cut logging of a temperate rainforest in B.C. Singing protest songs on the blockades showed me a new way to use my voice, and gave me a new reason. Since then, I have been trying to incorporate my love of nature into my love of music. When I'm singing ‘I'm turning on to different information' on this record, it means I am trying to learn and make choices that are not going to hurt the planet any more. The way I eat, the way I dress, the way I travel, the way I raise my children. Not preaching, just trying to be an inspiring person. I grew up singing gospel music, so music has always been about looking for light."

On "Here and Now" Tara sings "Each mistake that I made was right for it led me here and now to your side." That spirit and vibrancy resonates throughout Wake, a project that MacLean is incredibly excited to see come to fruition. "Everything I've done up till now, every single moment has led me to this. This magnificent life that I have now. I love singing. I love spilling my guts, because the more I do and the deeper I go, the more response I get from people who have been in the same places. It is often gratitude: ‘Thank you for saying what I couldn't say.' That is the work of the songwriter."

Tara is also Co- organizer of ‘The Naked Ape Party'. An event to raise money for the David Suzuki foundation.
She is Co-Director of Rice Music www.ricemusic.ca an event to raise money for food and medical supplies for MaeTao Clinic in Thailand to help Refugees from Burma in the wake of Cyclone Nargis.
Tara is a columnist for ‘Organic Lifestyles Magazine' www.organiclifestyles.ca
She is the director of P.L.U.M. The progressive League of United Mothers and is a devoted wife to Moksha Yoga founder/teacher Ted Grand and mother to her three daughters, Sophia, Stella and Flora. She is also a Doula and a Certified Prenatal yoga teacher.

Currently she is studying Kirtan with Meenakshi Joy www.swaha.ca