Musical Discoveries Interview
-- October 12, '05
Hi Everyone!
Just wanted to let you know that one of the first new interviews has been done with regard to my current projects and the last few years. If you are interested, please check it out: http://www.musicaldiscoveries.com/reviews/taramaclean.htm
Lots of love,
Tara
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Riverdale
-- June 11, '05
Hola!,
It is a hot and muggy day here in Toronto. Not even summer and we are already under smog warnings. How depressing. I miss B.C. and P.E.I. I can't even take Sophia to the lake because I don't want her to glow in the dark. I try sometimes to push away the reality that I am raising a child in the rapidly declining state of our majestic ecosystem. It is almost time to head back to the woods.
I limit her T.V. even though I know my little girl will be constantly bombarded with misogynistic media images outside our home. You should get a load of the Barbie doll that came back with her the other day. Now, no self-respecting feminist can have one of these in her house. I actually allowed one 'Princess Barbie' at Christmas through the screening process as it came from Bill's girlfriend's family. I didn't want to offend, and Sophia loved it because it sang when you pressed a button. I thought, even though this evil doll is a huge part of the problem of women's self image, perhaps I am being too harsh. Am I now discriminating against an overly voluptuous, tall, ever smiling blond? (She did look suspiciously like Bill's new girlfriend). Sophia likes to roll play with Barbie and Ken. What is the harm...she is only 3. But then came 'Street walker Barbie' the other day. Not that there is anything wrong with choosing to be a 'Lady of the Evening'. Oldest profession....I just think it is an adult theme. Anyway, she was wearing next to nothing and had a face caked with makeup. Definitely non-biodegradable, so she is in the trash along with her message...and Princess Barbie is not long for this house either. But how do I stop it? Every Disney movie, every magazine...God! Or rather...Goddess.....
So, I guess I am officially a parent. Blown away by how breathtaking my daughter is, and white knuckled on her stroller watching every man and dog that comes within thirty feet of her. And I am not even an over protective mum from what I have witnessed. Having a girl is terrifying and amazing. Sophia already gets huge crushes on boys, and she is very bossy. I like to think she is a born leader. She is also incredibly smart and intense. I am putting her right into Kung Fu! She is still trying to decide whether to use her powers for good or evil and hopefully this will sway her to a respectful and meditative way of using her energy. I have high hopes for her life. I want it to be rich with love and friends. I want her to live her art and poetry. I want her to be in the moment but be smart about her future. I want her to be adventurous, but not be a total stoner. And if she could have healthy lesbian experiences and no bad trips on LSD I would be thrilled.
She picks up on everything I do. I find myself constantly examining my life to see if I am setting a positive example for her. I have chosen a wonderful and brilliant man to have in our lives. That is extremely important. I have held tight to a deep respect for her father (no matter who he dates). I reflect and find that I am proud of the music I have made, and I want her to hear my words as she grows and know that I was writing everything for her. But then I cringe at the fact that my records cost as much as would take to feed a small country for a year. How I got caught up in that major label trap is a mystery to me. A million dollars was poured into trying to 'Break' me (an appropriate word). Think of the music that could have been recorded for new artists. I fell into the glamorous expensive clothes for the photo shoots....helping to perpetuate an image that I didn't really support. I even had a product manager! I though, hmmmm... he must deal with the merchandise? Nope, news flash...I was the product. I asked him to change his title to 'Project Manager' with the hopes that it would give him a more animate outlook on working with me. The response was "Certainly, anything to make Capitol more artist friendly". The history of that label was not lost on me....and I was seduced by the lulling sounds of Nat King Cole as I entered the building. Must have been some kind of hypnoses! I had always thought myself street smart, but the yellow brick road is one dangerous alley...leading to that man behind the curtain who really has no power at all... unless you give it to him. I am so grateful for Nettwerk. They have believed in me for 11 years now. It is all about finding the people who really have your back, and really love you.
I suppose I need to teach this to my daughter. It is so easy to get caught in all these traps. I did. And the only way I can have no regrets is to use this. Teach her to question authority. Teach her to love and worship nature. Teach her compassion for every living creature (except mosquitoes). Teach her what a miracle her body is. Teach her to love strangers, but to listen to her instincts about people (are you a good witch or a bad witch?). Give her a sense of justice and honour. Teach her to open her heart and let it get broken...it is the only way to evolve. But most of all, teach her that she has the courage and the power to change the world...to save it if she really wants to. Perhaps one day she will be able to take her daughter swimming in lake Ontario.
There is a saying that I treasure.
'We will only save what we love, we will only love what we understand, and we will only understand what we are taught.'
So I must lead by example. I think stress management is an extremely important tool as well. Yoga is the key in my family. But today, with my schedule cleared for relaxation, the unbearable heat, and so much going on in my head about how to best serve the world, I think I will go decapitate the Barbie doll. I guess that isn't exactly non-violence...
Peace out,
Tara |
Humber College Songwriting Workshop
-- March 27, '05
This summer, from July 23 - July 29, Humber College will be
hosting a Songwriters' workshop. With Rik Emmett serving as the
Artistic Director, this workshop will have such accomplished artists
as Damhnait Doyle, Justin Gray, Stephan Moccio, and Haydain Neale as
well as special guests Tara McLean, Ian Thomas, and Ed Robertson of
the Barenaked Ladies and many more!
This week-long learning adventure is definitely something for
anyone who is an aspiring songwriter! You'll get to workshop your own
songs in sessions with the artists, attend panels about publishing,
digital technology, soundtrack & scoring. There will be opportunities
to book digital workstation demo recording sessions and participate
in song circles and jam nights!
For only $675 (CAD) you can spend a week with some of the most
successful songwriters in the music business picking their brains and
learning how to improve your songwriting skills!
For more information, or to book your spot, contact:
Sanja Antic
by Phone: 416.675.6622 ext. 3472
by Email: sanja.antic@humber.ca
You can also visit the web site at:
www.humber.ca/creativeandperformingarts |
| February 7, 2005 Toronto, Ontario
Hello All,
Well here I am in rainy Toronto. The snow is black and slushy and I am working far too much. I am in full swing writing another SHAYE record and my solo stuff as well. Life feels hectic now that I am back. I spent part of December in Belize with my boyfriend, Ted. We backpacked around…yes, believe it! I know many of you have witnessed my traveling closet and it is phenomenal how little I took with me. Ted is one of those minimalist, vegan, yogi people. You know who I mean - one of those centered, kind, otherworldly people who at some point in their lives will probably end up in a hemp robe chanting on top of a mountain and eating rice from their hand carved wooden bowl. Basically, the last person who would be turned on if I entered the bedroom in only heels and a fur coat. Well, he was even impressed at my lack of luggage. I felt light and ready to explore. Armed with travel scrabble and the honeymoon style happiness of new love, we headed to that sweet little country.
 I can’t begin to tell you of our adventures snorkeling with sharks and manta rays, horseback riding in the jungle, exploring caves and Mayan ruins complete with the skeletal remains of sacrificed humans! Fun! We had an amazing time! We spent a day in Guatemala and drank coconut milk and went down river rapids on an inner tube! We rode on a local bus that was going so fast we were certain we were going to die. This was actually my first, non-working vacation in my life. (Sophia was with Bill in L.A. where he currently lives.)  We met all kinds of great people! There were fascinating women traveling solo, soul searchers, and people that you would never expect to find in these situations. Many were young couples in their early twenties taking a break from their university studies in medicine to go on a diving trip. I had always wondered what well-adjusted kids did. Case closed.
We soaked up the sun and drank pina coladas (without the cream) and I felt more peaceful and in love than I have ever felt in my life.  * I did make a note though about drinking. What is it with booze? We never learn! It makes us sick. It’s like holy war, or applying deodorant before you put on your shirt. The intentions are noble but the outcome is very, very messy.* Anyway, I read for hours every day…the Davinci code, Jitterbug Perfume.. Ted was gobbling up biographies. Pure bliss! Why even come back? I could work part time at a bar on the beach and make enough money to have a little place there.…
So on the solstice we did do some yoga and chanted the Gayatri. That is one of my favorite prayers to the sun. It was one of those glorious moments when you feel alive and in tune with all that is. One of those moments when you look over at your lover and think….holy shit what a hot body he has all tanned and covered in oil!
But in all that peace, there was one challenge. Sand fleas on the beach at our last stop. This is known as a luxury problem. Luxury problems I have encountered are white limozines, and sore, red eyes from the make up at a vogue photo shoot. As the saying goes, my diamond shoes were too tight! Here I am in Belize, warm tropical wind blowing, Caribbean blue sea, clear and pristine, brown sugar sand, a great book, my sweet man, and sand fleas. Cue Music "one of these things is doing it’s own thing. One of these things just isn’t the same".
 We spent much of the evening applying limejuice to the swollen constellations on our legs and feet. At one point I counted 30 bites on my hands and arms alone! In my ripened age of 31, I have come to realize that life always presents an opportunity to see if you truly appreciate your situation. Something unquestioningly irritating, like when Courtney Love had me kicked out of my dressing room in Boston because she didn’t want anyone backstage. Well, who cares right? I was opening for her! Not that I am likening her to a sand flea. She was excellent in that Hustler movie.
So I found myself once again with the option to complain about my parasitic compatriots, also enjoying the sun, sand and buffet of juicy, coconut scented tourists.
Of course, I had to exclaim that I was being fucking eaten alive. I started to wonder about this vegan thing…for once I felt like I was the low one on the food chain. Not a great feeling. Glancing down the beach I saw a number of sun worshippers swatting at their bodies looking disgruntled. Knowing you are not alone can be a tremendous comfort. I lay back with a smile, enduring the tiny nibbles and let the sun warm my bones. I let the sound of the water wash over me. I set my breathing to the rhythm of the waves, and thought about how there is always something or other that can make you crazy. It’s whether you choose to focus on it or not. Vacation successful. Test passed. Now let’s see how I do in –30 degree weather when my car is stuck. Will I marvel at the fact that every snowflake is different? Hard to say.
See you all soon….love and light, Tara
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