TARAH WHO?

with Diane D 

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Tarah G. Carpenter (TGC): Vocals, Guitar

Joey Southern (JS) : Bass, Backing Vocals

Coralie Herve (CH): Drums, Backing Vocals.

 

How long have you known each other and when?

CH : My name is Coralie and I'm the drummer of Tarah Who?, I joined the

band in the summer 2017. I was friend with Tarah on Facebook and I asked

her some informations about the music in Los Angeles when I knew that I was coming to study at the Musicians Institute. She messaged me when she was looking for a drummer.

TGC: Yeah, It's almost been 2 years for Coralie and a year for Joey.  We met Joey 10 days before going on tour last year!

JS: I am the newest member of the band coming up on almost a year now. We met back in April 2018 via Facebook messenger...

 

"Hi Joe, I am contacting you because I am looking for a bass player for my band Tarah Who? If you like what you hear hit me back. Have a good day! " Tarah...

 

Random, it seemed strange and went unanswered for six whole days. The idea rolled around in my head enough and I decided I needed to listen to the songs. Two weeks later we left on a west coast tour and we have been constantly working ever since! Each experience seems better than the last.

 

How did you decide to form a band/become a musicians?

TGC: I started playing music when I was 14 years old. I played drums and bass in rock bands. Self taught.. Then at 15, I was an exchange student in Murray, KY and I was not able to play the drums there so I bought myself an electric guitar and an Alanis Morissette songbook, and taught myself how to play the guitar!

I still play all three instruments. It was not a decision that I made, I just never stopped playing.

JS : I personally remember watching bassist perform on stage at a young age and I said to myself, " Self? You can do that?!" And then I began my journey, playing music with various musicians, playing various styles. 

 

Who would you say is/are your main influences/ heroes?

CH : I am a big fan of Nightwish, a symphonic metal band, so I'll say that genre but more generally rock and metal. For drumming, a really like Mike Portnoy, Glen Sobel and Daniel Erlandsson. 

TGC: Drums, I don't know... I have always LOVED drums, I love how they look, I love drummers, I am just really into them.. I can't really explain it. Bass, I remember listening to Stevie Wonder and loving the groove, and that made me want to start playing and also No Doubt! lol! I also really love playing the bass! Guitar. I don't really have anyone. I am not into guitar solos or anything like that whatsoever. I play the guitar because I write with my acoustic guitar, but that's it... 

I listened to a lot of Alanis Morissette when I was 15 so I am sure that I was influenced somehow in my writing and autobriographical lyrics. I stated to listen to 90 s grunge, rock, punk afterwards and that is really what I am into... to this day.. :) 

JS : From Motorhead to Bob Marley!!! I have a wide range of influences but the main ones that have always stuck out are Lemmy, Les, Geddy and P-Nut!!!

 

                                                                                                 What was the first record you bought?

                                                                                                 CH : Don't really remember but I'm sure it was a french band called Kyo.

                                                                                                 TGC: I don't remember either, I am guessing Alanis...

                                                                                                  JS : That I bought with my own money? SLIPKNOT self titled album... I was                                                                                                   absolutely blown away... I grew up on "classic rock " so this album was a                                                                                                           shotgun to the brain!!!

 

                                                                                                 How do you write new material, is it just one of you or do you all                                                                                                                   contribute?

                                                                                                 Do you have any specific method?

TGC: I write all the song and lyrics. I make demos and bring them to Joey and Coralie who learn the songs. Of course they have their touch, personalities and technique. There are parts that I would tell Coralie for instance " here i play this but I actually want to play that, can you do it? " because she is a killer, she can just play pretty much anything i can think of.So that's really convenient.  For Joey, it is the same, he comes up with his own parts or suggestions. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't. They are both professional musicians who care about the outcome of the song and the authenticity and meaning behind each song, rather than showing off with skills and overloading a song. They contribute in many different ways, including their intentions for each note, their moral and physical support!! etc...

 

TGC: I don't have a method really... I just let it come to me and whenever I feel inspired I totally let go. It's hard to explain but it is like a flash, that lasts .. a few minutes only and I just write everything down and when it is done, I just let it sit for a while before coming back to it. I never change anything because I don't want to change the emotions. The music comes very naturally too.. I hear it as I am writing.

That is why it is better for me to make demos of the songs so that I can tell Joey and Coralie, Here is the song! 

 

Are you touring this year or in the near future?

CH : We just came back from our tour in South California and Texas, it was awesome !!! We are going to Europe to promote our EP ''64 Women'' in September, really excited about it !!

JS : I can not wait for Europe... I am a midwestern corn fed country white boy... I can't wait to discover the world.

TGC: lol Joey! Yes we are touring in Europe in September, and I am working on some shows in Canada. We have some upcoming tours for 2020 as well that we cannot announce just yet, but it will be a whole lotta fun!

 

Where is your favourite venue?

JS : To see live music? The Palladium in Hollywood!!! The most intimate experience ever!!! In town I must say I love to play the Maui Sugar Mill in Tarzana, California... On the road my favorite venue was Tim's Tavern in Seattle, Washington.

TGC: I don't really have a favorite venue, it depends on the night and the people. 

You could be playing at a great venue, but the team is not friendly (sound/bar/security) . So... for me, everything has to be great, the bands, the venue, the location, the staff, and the audience!

I mean we've had shows where the venue and the staff is amazing, but some audience members just showed up to fight with people. repeatedly. They got kicked out, they tried to interrupt the show... Just not cool...

 

What is the best or worse incident that you have encountered on the road so far – that you can share?

JS : Best is getting to know each other and worst is honestly public gas station bathrooms... The worst story includes a porto-john a flashlight and an avocado...

TGC: Yeah... Bathrooms on the road.. it is always a thing...Best incident was accidentally booing a show at a strip club. Had one of the best nights. Worst incident, dealing with a couple of drunk hard core punk guys who were totally disrespectful.. 

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Do you have any special requests or rituals before going on stage, are you superstitious for instance?

CH : I like to warm up and drink water, concentrate to be in the mood for the show.

JS : Water is ideal and so is stretching!!!

TGC: No, definitely not superstitious. Every show is different and you just never know what is going to happen. I like to drink a cocktail or 2 before the show, stretch and just be on my own. 

 

How do you spend your free time before a show, any particular pastimes/hobbies?

TGC: I usually catch up on things.. I write a lot, I spend time with my family, my fur babies, and try to do nothing which is almost impossible for me, really.. 

I am working on a documentary for the band and I play drums for 2 other bands and bass. I catch up on all of those other projects, and think of the next steps for Tarah Who? ..!
JS : I love to travel and explore new cities and cultures!!!

 

Are you planning any new recording like an album/EP soon?

JS : We are in the works!!!

TGC: Yeah, totally. Working on the demos of this new ep I have had those songs ready for.  :)

 

If you could go back in time, is there a venue or festival you wished you could have played?

CH : I would have loved to play the Whisky A Go Go during the 80's !!!

JS : It would be a dream to play the Hollywood Bowl at any point in history...

TGC: I would loved to play the vans warped tour.. but I have heard that it was pay to play so I have mixed feelings about it..I don't really regret things.. I move forward and I work with what I have available in front of me. 

 

Who are your favourite bands at the moment?

CH : Like always Nightwish hahaha, and Ghost, love it !!!

JS : My favorite bands at the moment is Tool!!!

TGC: Totally band crush for Yur Mum who we have just toured with, and

Bala , from Spain.

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Who’s record are you playing/listening to right now?

CH : Ghost - Prequelle.

JS : Right now I'm constantly listening to Tool albums. Ope... 

TGC: I was actually just listening to Bala!lol!