Tara Lily - Last Flight Out (EP) + 10 Questions

Today, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Tara Lily releases her new EP ‘Last Flight Out’.

The five-track project takes listeners on a journey around the globe, as Tara marries the sonic terrains of East and West, fusing elements of jazz, alt RnB, Indian classical, dance and much more. From bringing in her own uncle to play tabla, to recording sitar and jazz saxophone at Unwound Studios, Tara has worked in unique ways to bring her vision to life.

The first taste of the EP came in the form of Hotel Amour back in August, which sees Tara leaving behind a turbulent love affair while staying at the Hotel Amour in Paris and embarking on her own journey, set against hypnotic beats and impassioned jazz piano.

The next single ‘You Can Go’ is a rich R&B track with flourishes of sitar and flickers of saxophone set against a vibrant backdrop of Afro/House kicks, and sees Tara’s agile vocals step into the spotlight. Elsewhere on the project, ‘Last Flight Out’ includes rhythmic flourishes of tabla, then Tara reworks ‘Naima’ by John Coltrane, which makes for a mesmerising listen. The EP takes an unexpected turn when it wraps with ‘Don’t Explain’; sampling a hidden gem of 90s jazz-inspired DnB, its skittish beats form the backdrop of Tara’s improvisation of iconic Billie Holiday song of the same name, creating a nostalgic and hypnotising listening experience.

Tara explains, “I guess for me this project was about pushing the boundaries of jazz. So, you have a DnB track with trumpet, an Afro-Asian dance fusion, and some Indo-Jazz. They’re all about exploring the limits of the genre and stretching it into different spaces. Fundamentally, jazz is at the root of everything that I do - I’ve explored working with other sounds and genres as I’ve gone along. Whether it’s being influenced by life, relationships, people, or culture – I’m always exploring pushing jazz in the realms of modern music and making it relative to who I am and how I live my life today.”

Tara Lily sat down with Wordplay Magazine to answer our infamous 10 Questions:

1. So tell me, how did it all begin? What sparked your love for music?

I grew up with a Bengali dad and Scottish mum. They were both self-taught musicians. My dad played tabla and harmonium and my mum was a punk/folk singer.

2. Who are some artists that influence you and that you want to work with in the future?

Some of my modern-day influences are musicians I play on my Worldwide FM show, where the focus is women in jazz and world music. Established artists like M.I.A, Nubiya Garcia, Bat For Lashes, Anoushka Shankar.. to more upcoming young women like Suchi (Norwegian-Indian electronic producer/DJ), Aniwa (Bengali indie singer) and Nala Sinephro (Caribbean-Belgian experimental Jazz harpist).

3.  What projects do you have coming up and can you give us any info on them?

 My new EP ‘Last Flight Out’ is dropping end of September- it’s a journey around the world! It’s about movement, freedom, travel, immigration and love.

4. How would you describe your sound?

 My discipline is jazz so that will always be at the core of what I do. But I explore a lot of other genres within my work. For my EP ‘Last Flight Out’, the sound is a mix of jazz, Alt RnB, Indian classical, and dance.

5. What's your proudest moment to date so far as an artist?

Probably playing Love Supreme jazz festival. It was pin drop silent. Or ‘Dialled In Fest’ which is the first South Asian festival in the UK (playing a range of different genres).

6. Do you have any advice for our readers who may be trying to play the mad game of music?

I don’t like advising people generally on music, it’s such a hard industry to navigate and there are no rules - saying that, if you have a love and passion for music and you are prepared to give up everything else, I think it’s possible.

7. Are there any artists on your radar right now that we should check out?

Suchii, Maya Lakhani, Plumm, Nerija, Xvngo.

8. What albums are on heavy rotation on your Spotify playlist currently?

Alice Coltrane - Journey in Satchidananda

Billie Eilish – Happier Than Ever

King Krule – You Heat Me Up You Cool Me Down.

9. What do you like to do when you're not making music?

Dance, drink, scream, travel, outdoor cold-water swimming…

10. Name Three things you can't live without when in the studio?

Coffee, Piano, Rice.