Photo credit: BRIAN DOWNIE
So, when did the initial idea for ‘Army of Women’ first come about? And then, how did it grow, and develop into the final song that we hear today?
TGC: I wrote the music first, with a theme in mind. I wanted something triumphant like that would bring women together. There is just so much happening in the world that I just could not focus my mind to express what I meant. My wife has a talent for writing, so I asked for her help. I told her what I wanted to talk about and a couple of things I wanted to mention, like the fact that my mother protested in May 68 in France and I wanted to convey that today in 2023, we are still fighting for the same rights. Then I arranged the lyrics so that it would work in the song, and with the music, and “Army of Women” was born. 🙂
Of course, the final touch was the actual recording with Vincent Garcia on the drums, Ash Orphan on the Bass, Alain played guitar, and we all screamed our hearts out! We had lots of fun. Outside what I call the “Alain signature sound”, it is really close to the demo and I really appreciate how diligent Alain was in the whole recording process.
How would you say that the song compares to any other Tarah Who? song that has come before it?
TGC: I don’t know if it compares, because it is a different producer and to me, every song has its own story. My lyrics have always been autobiographical in a way that I write about my thoughts, emotions, perspective. I guess it compares to any other Tarah Who? Songs because it is me and this is how I feel. I would like for women to be more united and supportive of each other and that where the idea came from. Now, some people might say that this song is different because sonically it is, it is a different studio, different team of musicians who are involved etc… But it is still Tarah Who?. It is just a different approach, an evolution, a different chapter. However, you want to call it, there are many different aspects in the upcoming EP that are different because my story, my life is evolving too. My concerns, topics, perceptions are maturing in a way, but don’t get me wrong, 200bpm songs are still a thing in Tarah Who?’s music. 🙂
How did you end up working with Alain Johannes, and what did he bring to creative process for the track?
TGC: I just asked him if he wanted to record my new songs and he said yes! Very simple 🙂 I was so excited that until he was actually in front of me I was still a little skeptical that maybe… something was going to happen! LOL! I have never been so eager to pay for a recording session! I just wanted to make sure it was going to happen. When I signed the contract, I was so happy… and proud in a way. No one introduced us, Alain listened to some past music and said ok, let’s do it! I sent to him the demos I had made and he liked them. I had never worked with him, so I didn’t know what to expect or even how to prepare. I made sure I knew my parts and what I wanted, I sent several tracks to Ash and Vincent. We were working online. I sent them demos of the bass and drums I had played. We did a lot of back and forth to get the right feeling and ideas. We had the studio booked for 5 days, We had the drums done the first day, then Ash came, and we did the bass, and my guitars. The next day we did all vocals, backing vocals, and other ideas Alain heard like tambourine and such. The last day, Alain was already mixing!!! Incredible!!! So we were like, let’s release one of them!! This is too exciting!!!
Can you tell us about the lyrical meaning behind the track, and what the lyrics were like to work on?
TGC: I had a very clear intention. With Athena in mind, I wanted to write something upbeat and inspiring, that would hopefully speak to any woman who would hear the song. I want to see them/you jump, shout, and have fun while remembering the message behind the song. I told Lesley: “I want a song that brings women together, regardless of their age, race, gender, sexuality, country etc…” I believe that we should be supporting each other rather than judging each other, or competing with each other. Between social media that is affecting women of all ages to feel self-conscious of their looks, or just culture, generations and religion that sometimes oppresses women, I wanted to be the little voice, the push that comes into your life and nudges you and reminds you of how powerful you are. So this is my anthem, my message to women worldwide, to be kinder to each other and to support each other. For women to be aware of their rights, strengths, and values.
L7 recently got announced as the tour support for Foo Fighters! So, can you tell us about what they were like to tour with, and what you like so much about the band?
TGC: Touring with L7 was one of my best experiences as a performer. It was kinda crazy to open for a band I look up to and that I listen to. I actually even caught myself watching their show from the audience in NYC thinking “I can’t believe WE opened for L7 WE were the band on stage right before them!!!”. The way I see it is that I got to see L7 perform 4 times in a row!! And I could choose where I wanted to see them from! Yay!
L7 paved the way… amongst many others of course, but it is thanks to all of those women, that we are able to today, do what we do! And that’s incredible! If it is hard for me, in 2023, as a woman in rock music. Imagine, in the 90s?! When I started writing songs, no one really understood my sound. I was young, so I didn’t know who to listen to for advice, and I was surrounded by men of all ages, but somehow I just kept playing what I felt was right and resonated with me. Fast-forward decades later, and I am opening for the band that made me stick to my guns! When I first listened to L7, Distillers, Joan Jett, Garbage etc… I knew that I was not doing anything “wrong” but I just did not have the right audience, and I was not working with the right people. It is hard because when you are young, you know you want to play, but you are also getting to know yourself and what you want to say. I had a hard time developing my sound while being a self-taught musician and a woman in the rock music industry, in Paris, FR, then as an immigrant in the US. To this day, I still sometimes run into situations where I am being judged for being a woman who plays or promotes loud rock music… until they hear us play. 😉 There was none of that with L7 or their crew and that was, although normal, super refreshing and as a matter of fact, quite relaxing. No one needed to prove anything, we were just happy to be there and to rock out every night.
What else can we expect to see from Tarah Who? as we head into 2024?
TGC: There is not much I can share at the moment, but you can expect some new music, and new shows…
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