Tara Reynolds is best known for her driving, energetic set, her crowd interaction and her enthusiasm behind the decks. Tara’s debut track ‘Mercy’ on Tidy Trax in 2003 was her first huge success. Since then, Tara has completed remixes for labels such as Short Circuit, Energy UK and Deprivation and has recently remixed for Tripoli Trax the classic Prodigy track, ‘Hellfire’. Tara is also the only female DJ to have had the privilege to play back to back with the legendary DJs Andy Farley, Paul Glazby and BK! ITM’s Rudeboy recently spoke with Tara about her DJ style, playing with Hard House’s big boys, ‘Mercy’ (her huge debut record), remixing The Prodigy, living in Australia, her latest track ‘Physical Perfection’, the flagging hard dance scene and Tara’s lucky break with the UK’s hard dance label, Tidy Trax.
Firstly Tara, how did the DJing thing all start for you?
It started from a love of hard dance music and living with Phil and deciding one day to have a go on his decks to see if I could do it. One of my girlfriends had just bought decks and that’s what spurred me on to actually giving it a go.
How would you describe your DJ style at the moment? And have you been experimenting with any new sounds?
I’d describe my style as being UK hard dance. In a typical set I’ll play some uplifting hard trance, some groovy hard house as well as some bangin’ hard house. I like to start with chuggy, groovy or uplifiting tunes then build it up to banging hard (if its appropriate to go hard, that is). As for experimenting, I’ve tried a few different sounds over the years but playing a mixture of stuff in a set is what works for me so it’s what I’ve always gone back to. I’m not one of those “out there” DJs that will play really experimental music. I play tunes that I’d like to dance to myself and ones that I know will work on the dance floor. That’s what matters in the end, isn’t it?
Why do you think you are the only female DJ that has had the privilege of playing back to back with hard dance legends Andy Farley, Paul Glazby and BK?
I have asked myself this question many times and I still don’t really know the answer! I know Paul Glazby has said I’m the only female DJ he’d play back to back with (which is a huge compliment) but as to why… I don’t know, but I am really happy about it. Actually, while I was doing this interview Andy Farley came online on MSN so I put the question to him. He said, ‘because you are a credible female DJ that is in it for the love of the music, you’re not just after the dollars and glory.’ So there you go, straight from the horse’s mouth!
Your debut track ‘Mercy’ on Tidy was a massive success in 2003, why do you think it was so successful?
I think it just worked. It wasn’t trying to be too clever; it was just full of energy and had a really good build-up. I saw some reaction sheets from those on Tidy’s mailing list and a couple said that the riff was unoriginal and I should have done more with it. I did think that myself initially and wanted to develop it more but DJs like the Tidy Boys, Anne Savage and Paul Glazby were playing ’Mercy’ by that stage and I was getting wicked feedback from clubbers about it, so I thought ‘why fix it if it works so well?’
Your remix of The Prodigy’s classic track ‘Hellfire’ for Tripoli became another dance floor hit… did this raise your DJ/Producer profile internationally?
Yes, I think it did. The original mixes were such classics in their day, it was an honour to be asked to remix it. Remixing such a well known tune definitely helped to raise my profile.
You have done remixes for Short Circuit, Energy UK and Deprivation… do you prefer remixing tracks or working on your own material?
I like doing both. I only ever take on remixes if I think I can do something good with it though. I wouldn’t remix a track just for the sake of getting a record out. Quality, not quantity!
What can we expect from you when you play at Eternal Energy?
You can expect to hear some great upfront tunes, a classic or two, lots and lots of energy and me leaping about (grin). I have some great new material from producers like Chris Hoff and Paul Maddox and I can’t wait to unleash them!
How did the Tidy Trax thing all start for you?
I had been playing out in London for a couple of years and I think I’d had one tune released, ‘Ignite’ (with Steve Blake). Scott Cooper from Vicious Circle was working at Tidy at the time and he signed me up. He took quite a risk because he’d never actually heard me play- he signed me ‘on reputation’ (his words). I was so incredibly lucky, as that became my ‘big break’ and it might never have happened had it not been for Scott having the guts to stick his neck out like that.
Do you have any new tracks coming out? What labels?
I do have one unsigned track called ‘Physical Perfection’ (with Chris Hoff) that has just been included on Lisa Lashes’ latest compilation CD. As for new tracks, I am going back to England in October for three weeks and I will be fitting in as much production as I can. I have dates booked with Paul Maddox and Paul Glazby already and I’d like to work with Ingo and Chris Hoff again too so I shall be teeing those up as soon as I can. Hopefully Chris and I can do a really good track to pair up with Physical Perfection and sell it to a label as a two-sider.
Where do you think the hard dance scene is heading?
I really don’t know but it’s certainly not dead as lots of people like to claim it is. I know that all styles of music come and go in popularity and hard dance seems to be struggling a bit at the moment compared to house/electro. However, it will come back, I know it will, because so many people still love it and are still so committed to it. I think hard dance has an energy that no other dance music has and will always have its fans. We all just need to stay positive about it and not jump ship!
What’s the craziest event you have played at and why?
There have been lots of events that have been crazy for different reasons (crazy can be good and bad). Playing at Checkpoint Charlie in New Zealand was pretty memorable – it was in the middle of a forest and I played as the sun was coming up and everyone was dancing in the mud, cheering and screaming. It was ace! Again in New Zealand, Decadance in Wellington in 2004 was very memorable as the promoter had organised some Maoris to come in to the club to do the hakka before my set. It was unbelievable. It brought a tear to my eye!
What are your plans for the future, what can we expect from you with DJing & Production work in 2006?
My plans for the future are to establish myself as an artist in Australia and to make as many tunes as I can fit into three weeks when I’m back in the UK in October!
Are you now based Australia or are you just on an extended holiday?
I am based in Australia now, in Melbourne. I am so happy to be back here! Even though I am working full-time again it still feels like I’m on holiday! Must be something to do with living right near the beach…
Who would you like to make a track with and why?
I’m lucky to have already worked with a number of producers who I rate very highly, such as Glazby, Ingo and Maddox. In the future I’d love to make tunes with Anne Savage and Andy Farley. I really respect Anne and Andy for their incredible musical knowledge and neither of them are afraid to try something different. I think I would be really inspired by working with these two and it would probably help me conquer some of my fears!
What advice have you got for up and coming DJs and producers?
My advice would be the same as it has always been – to try to make your self stand out from the crowd. I think it is getting harder to do that, but if you have an edge and a lot of self-belief and determination then there is no reason why you can’t make it. You have to be doing it for the right reasons as well- you have to love the music! It’s important to know your music as well. Good musical knowledge counts for a lot in this industry, I reckon.
Tara Reynolds (UK – Tidy Trax) headlines at Eternal Energy Friday April 7 @ Earth nightclub, Adelaide… alongside Banga Matt (UK – Sketcha Trax), Grady G vs. Narc, H-bomb, MR.S vs. Adrian.V, Devious, Submission vs. Quantum, G-Force, GMC, Anarki with MC Maestro D & Rudeboy.
