The last time that we featured Tara Van, she wanted us to align with a conscious universe in her connected single, Hello Human, so when we heard that the spiritually-inclined star was back with Miles On It, we were curious to say the least, and couldn’t wait to listen and share our experience.

Miles On It opens with a sublime vocal performance from Tara Van as she sings, “It’s hard to see you go, sitting listening to the radio, laying low from all the told you sos, don’t it all get all get old you know… this world is sink or swim… oh we put some miles on it, miles, miles miles…”

The production is divine with acoustic guitar and textured drums as Tara Van delivers her philosophical depth. There is a warm, almost sun-drenched quality to the composition. Beneath that warmth sits a gentle melancholy and raw authenticity. Aligned with the single artwork and video, it most certainly feels like driving somewhere with the windows down whilst looking back at everything that brought us to this moment.

At its heart, Miles On It is a meditation on impermanence, but created in a relatable way that can actually appeal to the mainstream. Tara Van asks us to appreciate the life whilst we are still here. Sure, a beautiful road eventually changes and an old car eventually breaks down. A first love may not last forever, but that does not make the experience any less meaningful.

This sentiment gives the song a surprisingly uplifting quality. It’s about acceptance and trusting the ebbs and flows of life. Tara Van embraces the idea that nothing is meant to last forever. The repeated mantra of having “put some miles on it” becomes almost a philosophy for living. We could easily imagine Miles On It accompanying a cinematic road-trip sequence in a TV show like Crew Girl or films like The Peanut Butter Falcon, The Map of Tiny Perfect Things, and Nomadland.

The collaboration with Mark Calderone also plays a major role here. Their creative relationship began through Tara Van‘s other career in massage therapy before developing into a musical partnership, and Miles On It marks their fourth project together. Tara describes Mark as someone who helps “organize my chaos”, bringing structure to her free-flowing songwriting while allowing space for experimentation. We can hear that balance throughout the track.

Tara philosophically says, “We are living in a very nostalgic time and this song is very much inspired by the idea that nothing lasts. It’s pretty easy to get bummed out thinking about the things we love not lasting forever but I chose to add my ever present optimism to the subject by emphasizing the enjoyment of the time we had. No that beautiful scenic road, that stunning landscape, that old car, that old radio, that first love didn’t last but oh did we ever put some miles on it. Nothing is meant to last forever.”

Needless to say, we are enchanted by Miles On It and have added the track to our New Music Spotlight playlist, whilst we await the release of Tara Van’s EP of the same name, arriving on October 16th!

The post Tara Van explores impermanence, acceptance and the meaning found in life’s journey through warm acoustic textures on Miles On It appeared first on KIMU.

Setting the tone with a pulsating bassline and textured clicks, Tara Van opens Sunshine’s Callin’ with situational prose and atmospheric vocals as she sings, “I was in the dark until the 9th of July, 2022, I was searching but I was stumbling, and I had problems that needed solving… and just like lighting, out of my sky, it came to me…”

The production expands with astral ad libs and a dimensional nature to accompany Tara Van as she conveys her lived experience and high emotional quotient. We appreciate the poetic prowess shares, and the authenticity that Tara’s lyricism exudes.

Speaking on the consciously astute and inspiring opus, Tara Van confesses, “Sunshine’s Callin’ is about finding answers to questions you had long since stopped looking for and coming into your power! This song is meant to motivate you to put the haters on hold and answer sunshine’s call! We all need more sunshine is our lives these days and I’d like to spread some!”

Tara elaborates, “After officially being diagnosed with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder right before my album, Rise, dropped last year, I began trusting my gut. The answers I had been searching for my whole life seemed to strike me out of nowhere, all at once, mirroring the lyrics ‘just like lightning’. It electrified me and jolted me into a new reality, one with a lot more clarity. The self confidence that came with the diagnosis is probably the biggest thing. It solidified my ability to trudge forward as my most authentic self and brush off all the abusers and critics.”

We appreciate the intentional and cathartic message that Tara manifests with Sunshine’s Callin’. Connecting with sunlight and universal source energy is profoundly important for both physical and mental well-being. Sunlight, a natural and vital source of Vitamin D, plays a crucial role in maintaining bone health, supporting immune function, and regulating mood. Exposure to natural light helps synchronize our circadian rhythms, which govern sleep patterns and overall hormonal balance. This connection to the natural world fosters a sense of grounding and rejuvenation, as the warmth and brightness of the sun can lift spirits, reduce stress, and combat feelings of depression. By stepping outside and basking in sunlight, we align ourselves with the natural cycles of day and night, which is essential for holistic health.

Beyond the physical benefits, connecting with sunlight can be a pathway to tapping into universal source energy. This energy is the foundation of all life, encompassing an infinite source of wisdom, love, and creativity. When we immerse ourselves in nature and allow ourselves to be enveloped by the sun’s rays, we can experience a profound sense of connection to something greater than ourselves. This connection can lead to moments of clarity and insight, helping us to find answers to life’s questions and to feel more centered and aligned with our true purpose. Engaging with this energy and listening to Sunshine’s Callin’ fosters a deeper sense of inner peace, resilience, and spiritual fulfillment, reminding us of our place within the larger tapestry of existence.

Tara Van is a Toronto-based singer-songwriter who was born to pour her heart into music. Her genre-defying sound is deeply rooted in her first loves: soul, folk, pop, and jazz. This release, like last year’s single, Fucked-up-ness, delves into Tara’s exploration of her neurodivergence. It also paints a universal picture, urging us all to value simple outdoor pleasures and those “aha!” moments of realization that often follow. The song marks her first collaboration with producer Mark Calderone.

We have added Sunshine’s Callin’ to our New Music Spotlight playlist, as well as our new TIMELESS and TRIPPY playlists, whilst we continue to stream Tara Van‘s exquisite wider discography, and anticipate future releases from the conscious and talented star.

The post Tara Van invites us to connect with universal source energy on intentional and healing new single, Sunshine’s Callin’ appeared first on KIMU.