First Listen: Tarah Who? – Pantomath

Tarah Who? drop their new single titled ‘Pantomath’. The meaning behind the title is ‘someone who wants to know and knows everything’. This can be more of a burden than a curse as ignorance can be bliss. And this is what I love about Tarah Caprenter, the frontwoman of Tarah Who?. She gets to the point and covers subjects that others are afraid to touch with honesty. Being a pantomath can be reputationally dangerous if others find out you don’t know everything. And what better way than with a punk-rooted catchy fuck you to the authority style anthem than one created by Tarah Who?. After first listen some may say ‘Tarah WTF?’, but, isn’t that the point? Bravo!

About Tarah Who?

Tarah Who? Well, “she” equals “they,” and “they’re” a power duo masterminded by grunge-punk sage Tarah Carpenter, a firebrand frontwoman who channels explosive emotionality into rousing anthems. “I’m really sensitive to things that happen around me, and I love studying psychology and human behavior,” Tarah shares. “When I write, I seek to process personal stories and news stories through these perspectives, but in a way, that’s relatable to everyone.” Tarah exudes spiritual centeredness that is poetically aligned to the origins of her name. The name “Tara” in Buddhist lore refers to the “mother of liberation,” an apt archetypal reference for such a strong and shamanistic female artist.

Tarah Who? recalls the 1990s alt-rock and grunge’s tradition of balancing integrity with tuneful songcraft. Entries in the Tarah Who? oeuvre sit nicely alongside Alanis Morissette, Foo fighters, The Distillers, Nirvana, Pearl Jam, and Spinerette. Tarah Who? is an in every sense of the phrase, bonded together by the telepathic musical interplay and profound interpersonal connections. In addition to Tarah, drummer/backing vocalist Coralie Hervé. Previously, Tarah Who? has released two full-lengths, three EPs, and one single of raw punky rock n’ roll. The duo’s output has garnered plaudits and earned feature-story coverage from GIG Radar, Kill The Music, La Grosse Radio, Loud Stuff, Moshville, Music Connection, Muzak, and The Ring Master, among other outlets. It’s a remarkable feat for an unsigned band to make such waves in the biz, but Tarah Who?’s incendiary live shows and snarling sing-alongs are hard to ignore.

@TarahWho [rotatingtweets screen_name=’TarahWho’]

Even alt-pop goddess Alanis Morissette’s guitarist Jason Orme has given a big stamp approval to the group, co-producing and playing guitar alongside Tarah on the recently released EP’s, Half Middle Child Syndrome,64Women and the single to be released in November 2019 Pantomath. With a stable lineup and a dynamic rhythm section that can effortlessly shift from scorched-earth rock to tender balladry, the duo is embarking on a halcyon era ushered in by its current EP, 64 Women.

“We dedicate this EP to the 64 women who were at the immigration detention center in downtown LA on November 19, 2014, with Tarah G. Carpenter.”

Within the first chaotic seconds of “Linger”, I was in love. A mix of voices, strange other-world like noises and the clash of drums here and there, there is really no other word to use other than chaotic. Tarah G. Carpenter’s voice comes in and instantly take control of the chaos. There’s something very mechanical and almost alien-like with her voice creating a sense of power. You can hear the 90’s grunge influence loud and clear (…)

“Copycat” (…) This is one of those fist-shaking songs. There’s just this very rebellious and resilient vibe to this three and a half minute song that is truly infectious.(…)

The EP slows things down for “Hurt”. Although a cliche song name, this song is anything but cliche. Tarah’s voice and the lyrics are given a chance to shine during this track. It almost acts as a break from the chaos in the previous songs but it’s not quite a breather. There’s something painful and dark about Tarah’s voice in this song and it’s one of those things that, when listening, you realize was there throughout the previous two songs too, you were just distracted by everything else going on. (…)

Things kick back up with “Umbilicus”. This may be the shortest song on the EP at only a second over two minutes but it’s the most aggressive. With only thirty seconds left in the track, the band kicks into what can only be described as a pit of music.(…)

“Numb Killer” is about the Manchester attacks at Ariana Grande’s concert. Tarah was trying to picture the scene and what the perpetrator might have seen or felt before acting. Multiple elements that were introduced in the first four songs seem to come back to the limelight throughout this track making it the perfect ending. Did you like the chaos of “Linger”? Perfect! It’s in “Numb Killer”. Did you like the beauty of “Hurt”? Great! You’ll get it in “Numb Killer”. Did you just like every single aspect of the previous four songs? Awesome! You’ll get everything you loved about every other song in “Numb Killer”.

Read the full review HERE.

Tarah was born in France and began smashing away at the drums at just 14, ignoring those around her who suggested she try her hand at a more “ladylike” musical pursuit. Willful, and somewhat stubborn, she honed her chops, forged her own creative path, and branched out to bass, guitar, singing, songwriting, and producing (she produces the band’s music). After a fateful move to Los Angeles, Tarah made her solo debut as Tarah Who? at a warehouse party. It was a gig she found on Craigslist, and it proved to be the perfect opportunity to share the songs she had been writing privately. Up next, the duo will be promoting the new single, Pantomath and coming back from their tour, they will be working on a new EP.

The Ladies of Tarah Who? are fired up, inspired, and tighter as friends and musicians. Inclosing, drummer Coralie Herve offers this final thought: “When I first met Tarah, it floored me how bold she is; I felt this exuberance and fire from her. It reminded me of why I play music in the first place.”

Photo by Maria Quintana.

LINKS:
http://www.tarahwho.com
https://www.facebook.com/Tarahwho
https://twitter.com/TarahWho
https://www.instagram.com/tarahwho