Tara MacLean

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Tara MacLean
Tara MacLean
Tara MacLean
Background information
Born October 25, 1973 (1973-10-25) (age 34)
Origin Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island, Canada
Genre(s) Contemporary Folk, Trip-Hop, Pop
Occupation(s) Singer, Songwriter, Musician
Instrument(s) Vocals, Guitar, Piano
Years active 1995 - present
Label(s) Nettwerk, Capitol Records, EMI Music Canada
Associated acts Shaye
Website www.taramaclean.com

www.shayemusic.com

Tara MacLean (born October 25, 1973 in Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island, Canada) is a Canadian singer and songwriter. She was discovered by two Nettwerk employees on the top deck of one of the Gulf Islands ferries singing with some friends.

Her hit songs as a solo artist include "Evidence", "If I Fall", and a cover of the Christmas song "Light of the Stable". She was a member of Atlantic Canadian regional group, Shaye with Kim Stockwood and Damhnait Doyle from 2002 to 2007.

Contents

[edit] Biography

[edit] Early Years

Tara Margaret Charity MacLean is the daughter of accomplished actress, Sharlene MacLean and Danny Costain, a singer and dancer from British Columbia. She was also influenced greatly by her step father Marty Reno, a songwriter/guitarist, best known for his recording work with Canadian recording star Gene McLellan. Born and raised in Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island on the northeast coast of Canada, MacLean is the eldest of four children. All four were pulled from their burning home in May, 1987 by Constable David Cheverie, who was awarded for bravery and received the Cross of Valour for saving their lives. She moved to B.C. when she was 13 years old.

Tara lived in Victoria and graduated from Mt. Douglas Senior high school in 1991. Passionate about the environment, she was arrested in September of 1993 while protesting the clear-cut logging of Clayoquot sound In B.C. She was charged and served two weeks in the Nanaimo jail.

Nettwerk Records discovered Tara singing on a ferry between Victoria, B.C. and Salt Spring Island. She signed to Nettwerk Records in April of 1995 after moving to Vancouver to record her song "Let Her Feel the Rain" for Lit from Within, a Nettwerk Records benefit compilation for rape crisis centers. That song was also placed on a Nettwerk compilation titled Slowbrew, and it received some radio airplay. She is managed by Terry McBride, and her representing agents are S.L. Feldman's in Canada and Little Big Man in the U.S. She is signed to Sony Music Publishing Canada.

Her first live appearance in Vancouver was at Nettwerk Record's 10 Year Anniversary Show at the Vogue Theater. Tara made an impact opening for the Dave Matthews Band and she appeared at the East Coast Music Awards where she sang with Marty Reno and Lennie Gallant as a tribute to Gene McLellan.

[edit] Silence

In October 1995 Tara went to San Francisco to record her debut album Silence at Brilliant Studios with producer Norm Kerner (American Music Club, Sky Cries Mary, Spain) with additional recording in Vancouver.

Significant radio play for the first single "Evidence", and its accompanying promotional video helped the success of the album in Canada and America. Nettwerk Records National Promotion Director Marc Alghini reports that over 20,000 of her debut CD have sold off Tara MacLean’s US tour. Tara toured to promote Silence for over two years, including opening slots for Ashley MacIsaac, Barenaked Ladies, Paula Cole, Ron Sexsmith and Tom Cochrane, and The Cure as well as eight dates on the Lilith Fair tour, which propelled her career and establish her legitimacy with many contemporary, female artists with whom she shared the spotlight.

In 1997 Tara released a five-song EP of live, remixed and re-recorded songs called "If You See Me". Tara embarked on a national club tour to promote the EP, performing as a duo with guitarist Bill Bell (Tom Cochrane, Danko Jones). She was named Best New Solo Artist at the Canadian Radio Music Awards in 1997, and also garnered an impressive buzz for her showcase at the 1998 South By Southwest in Austin, which led her to Capitol Records and her major label release.

[edit] Passenger

Tara's second full length album was called "Passenger". It was recorded in New Orleans and produced by Malcolm Burn (Daniel Lanois) and then husband Bill Bell (Tom Cochrane, Danko Jones). It was released in February 2000 by Nettwerk Records in Canada and Capitol Records in America. Tara promoted Passenger in Canada, America and Asia for 18 months. "If I Fall" and "Divided" were both released as singles. "Live from Austin" and "Live from Roots Lodge" were released as two special live EPs. "Settling" was also released in Taiwan as the album's third single. She toured extensively, opening for Dido on her first U.S. tour.

To support "Passenger", Tara joined Kendall Payne, Shannon McNally and Amy Correia for a 21-stop Capitol Records sponsored The Girls Room Tour across America, agreeing to share the bus, stage and limelight for the opportunity to play live. Admission to The Girls Room shows were free, and the tour donated $1,000 to a women's charity in each city the tour visits. "Passenger" sold over 50,000 copies. She also appeared on Late Night with Conan O'Brien and had a Cameo in the Jerry Bruckheimer film Coyote Ugly, and USA Network's, Good vs Evil.

Tara left Capitol Records in 2001.

Tara gave birth to her first child Sophia Madrien Soleil Bell on December 19, 2001 in Oakville, Ontario.

[edit] Shaye

On May 24, 2002 Tara Maclean's sister Shaye Martirano died as the result of injuries suffered in a motor vehicle accident earlier that day on the Trans-Canada Highway in St. Léonard, she was aged 26. As a tribute, Tara collaborates with Kim Stockwood and Damhnait Doyle to form Shaye.

Their debut album "The Bridge" was released in October 2003 on EMI Canada. "Happy Baby" the lead single, was nominated for Single of the Year at the 2004 Juno Awards and won the Canadian Radio music award. This was followed up by "Beauty" in January 2005. They represented Canada at the World Expo in Nagoya, Japan that Spring.

On February 23, 2006 Tara gave birth to her second child Stella Heather Sky Grand in Toronto, where she now resides with her partner Ted Grand (director and co-founder of Moksha Yoga.)

Their 2006 follow up, "Lake of Fire" was released on EMI Canada. It was exclusively available on iTunes in November 2006, then released physically in February 2007. The album was promoted with an enclusive download single, "Lake Of Fire" in November 2006. After the album's physical release, another single, "You're Not Alone" was released.

The album is Zero footprinted (www.zerofootprint.net) which means that virtually all of the materials used to create the CD have been put back into nature by planting trees and restoring watersheds. Shaye is committed to promoting organ donation, and the use of green energy with Bullfrog Power.

The ladies were also featured in a 4-part television documentary called Shaye, a production of Breakthrough Films & Television. Shaye (the show) was executive produced by Ira Levy and Peter Williamson and went to air Sept. 9 on E!. Adriana Maggs was a writer, with Mark Caswell as DOP. The show later aired on CMT Canada.

[edit] Current Events

Tara MacLean's third full length release Wake is scheduled to be released in 2008. A 7 song EP titled Signs of Life was released digitally April 30th, 2007 on iTunes.

On October 8th, 2007, Tara MacLean announced that she was leaving Shaye due to parental commitments and the desire to pursue a solo career. [1]

She is expecting her third child in 2008.

[edit] Discography

[edit] Solo

Year Title Label Type Notes
1996 Silence Nettwerk Studio Album Debut Album.
1996 Evidence Nettwerk Single
1997 If You See Me Nettwerk EP
2000 Passenger Nettwerk/Capitol Records Studio Album Produced by Malcolm Burn.
2000 If I Fall Nettwerk Single
2000 Divided Nettwerk Single
2000 Live from Austin Capitol Records Live EP Limited Edition, sold with Passenger
2000 Live from Roots Lodge Capitol Records Live EP Limited Edition, sold with Passenger
2007 Signs of Life Nettwerk EP Digital only.
2008 Wake Nettwerk Studio Album Digital only.

[edit] Shaye

[edit] Soundtracks

[edit] Compilations

  • Bears - Nomad Music Collection ("Clayoquot Song" 1995)
  • Decadence - Nettwerk ("Silence (Demo)" 1995)
  • Slow Brew - Nettwerk ("Let Her Feel The Rain" 1995)
  • Lilith Fair: A Celebration Of Women In Music - Lilith Fair ("Hold Me, Jordan" 1998)
  • A Christmas To Remember - Various Artists ("Light of the Stable" 1998)
  • Songs Of The Season - WXRT 93.1 FM/Borders Compilation ("Silent Nignt" 2000)
  • Christmas Songs Nettwerk ("Winter Wonderland" 2000)
  • Images Of Christmas - John McDermott and friends ("Winter Wonderland" with Shaye 2005)
  • Borrowed Tunes II: A Tribute to Neil Young - Various Artists ("Natural Beauty" 2007)
  • Christmas in Canada - Various Artists ("Winter Wonderland" with Shaye 2007)

[edit] Guest Appearances

[edit] Backing Vocals

[edit] Awards and Nominations

[edit] Solo

1997 - Won Best New Solo Artist for Canadian Radio Music Awards

[edit] External links

[edit] Fan Sites

[edit] References

  1. ^ [1] Tara MacLean's official blog


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Shaye
Kim Stockwood | Damhnait Doyle | Tara MacLean
Albums
Singles