Archive

Tarrah Reynolds talks with U People

Interviewed by: Tika Milan

U PEOPLE: Your song “Where I want to go”, which is a beautiful song, was featured on February U People Mix. Where did that song come from?

TARRAH REYNOLDS: I wrote that song when I was fasting. I was so clear minded. I don’t know if you’ve ever fasted, but it’s that feeling of clarity and I felt that I could just see things that I hadn’t been able to see. I was basically talking about paradise and heaven.

U PEOPLE: How long did you fast for?

TARRAH REYNOLDS: I fasted for like 14th days.

U PEOPLE: What other things inspire your work?

TARRAH REYNOLDS: I just don’t push myself. I just wait for it to come. I honestly try not to force it. When I do that, it’s so irritating. I’m never happy with what I come up with. So I try to be relaxed and let it come to me as natural as possible.

U PEOPLE: You attended Julliard and play the violin. How did the transition to guitarist and singer song writer come about?

TARRAH REYNOLDS: While I was at Julliard, what really opened me up and made me see there were other possibilities was when someone called me to be in a D’Angelo video. That was the first thing I ever did outside of classical music. It was the first professional thing I did outside of an orchestra.

U PEOPLE: What did you do in the D’Angelo video?

TARRAH REYNOLDS: Just played the violin. I was a big fan of his and to able to work with someone outside of classical that I loved just made me want to do more of it.

U PEOPLE: How do you find the balance between what you learned in school and what you’ve learned about your creativity outside of academia?

TARRAH REYNOLDS: Sometimes I complain about Julliard, but I honestly am so glad I went there. I have better technical ability and such a literal understanding of music. That really helps me when I go sing with other singer-song writers or rappers, getting it happens so quickly. I’m very grateful for my education.

U PEOPLE: You’ve played with a variety of people from Tamar Kali and Imani Uzuri to Jay-Z and Kanye West.  How are able to span over so many different musical styles

TARRAH REYNOLDS: I just really try not to have a specific style. Some people try to put me in a category, but I’ve never been one to focus on one particular style. I’ve never really been hardcore about one thing in particular.

U PEOPLE: You’re music sounds very jazzy and folk-y You kind of remind me of Joni Mitchell, but black. There is still soulfulness to it. How would you describe your sound?

TARRAH REYNOLDS: I’m a big fan of Joni Mitchell. Melody is very very important to her and she is very crafty with it. I really love when people take the time to create a beautiful melody. I make my music melodic and soulful and pretty.

U PEOPLE: So what do you have coming up?

TARRAH REYNOLDS: Right now I’m trying to do a proper recording. I have a lot of live stuff. It’s cool but I want to take it to the next step and have something more polished. I hope to have it finished at the end of the year.

Visit Tarrah Reynolds at www.myspace.com/misstarrah

Learn about the U People Download Music Mix Card here.
Get your card today!

© 2008 I Love U People.