Always wanted to write for a magazine...

I’m extremely proud to be able to bring you this piece today. It’s an interview with the mercurial Tara Mackey, who lit up this blog on New Years Day wit a fantastic interview about her exquisite modelling, and musical talents. This time, I’ve had the opportunity to talk with Tara about her music once again, in the build up to her band Hindu Doggie’s first live gig, at the acclaimed House of Blues in Hollywood. When I heard Hindu Doggie had been booked at The House of Blues, I had to get in touch with Tara and ask about the performance. From that conversation an idea grew, and to my astonishment, she was kind enough to grant me some time during a hectic practice and preparation period, to talk about the bands live debut, and her feelings towards the show. Anyone able to get to the gig should definitely make the trip, as you’ll be whisked away by Tara’s enthusiasm and soulful dynamism. You’ll also be treated to a night of musical delight, brought to you by a truly fresh and expressive triumvirate of talent. Here’s what Tara had to say about the fast approaching show… 

 

Q: Welcome back to the blog Tara. We’re here to talk about your band Hindu Doggie’s upcoming debut gig at the House of blues in Hollywood. For readers who are not aware of your musicality, could you please tell us about Hindu Doggie? Who comprises the band, and how would you describe the brand of music you guys produce?

Tara: Sure! Thanks for having me back! Hindu Doggie debuted on 11/11/11. It’s me and Josh James Gahris primarily. We’ve written and recorded everything on our own. Kyle Boomer, a dear friend, singer, guitarist, and saxophone player, is going to play with us live as well on April 18^th.  

Q: As I mentioned, the show on the 18th is at The House of Blues Hollywood. That’s a pretty impressive venue for your first gig. You must be over the moon that they’ve booked you, and proud of the faith they’re showing in your music.

Tara: I was astonished that they booked us without seeing us play! We sent them a link to our YouTube, which I guess is more helpful than we thought in showing what we can do!

Q: The first time we spoke, Hindu Doggie comprised of just yourself and Mr Josh James Gahris. Since then you’ve mentioned the involvement of Kyle Boomer and how the three of you have morphed into a new version of Hindu Doggie. How did Kyle get involved, and what would you say he has brought to the band?

Tara: Me, Josh and Kyle started a band called Ellis Dee together. We’ll be playing some Ellis Dee (now Hindu Doggie, I suppose) songs at the show. Me and Josh wanted to form sort of a more acoustic band that could play shows at a moment’s notice, when Hindu Doggie got booked at the House of Blues, we asked Kyle to join us for the show and he agreed! It’s all been a wonderful journey.

Q: Music is a passion for you I know, and individually you have exhibited an impressive knowledge and range of musical ability as well as genre. What is the motivation behind Hindu Doggie? How and why has the band come together, and progressed so much?

T: I did my own music, solo, for years. I have my own music as well - and had a significant following on MySpace. But I was stiff. I’d go to record with people and really sort of felt like I wasn’t allowing myself to be as good as I knew I was. I knew a band would, I suppose, “help” that in me, and it certainly has! Me and Josh live and breathe music - all day, every day. I can’t believe how much we’ve done in just a few months!

Q: Is there an even grater sense of pride knowing that it’s your own unique and original music that’ll be performed, and it’s your creativity and ideas that people will be soaking up?

T: Yes!! That’s precisely why I think we decided it was best not to do covers at all! I want it to be the debut show it’s truly supposed to be: All us, all the time. It’s so wonderful to be able to explore my own ideas, write my own words, say what I want, have that therapy, and also have people respond to it! I couldn’t ask for more!

Q: Have you visited the House of Blues before? Do you know what to expect from the venue in terms of stage size and audience proximity?

T: The way that I am, pretty much the very first thing I said to Josh was “we have to go next Wednesday” (our show is on a Wed night). I took photos and got a feel for the venue. It’s loungey - the stage overlooks all of LA from the top of the House of Blues and I cried. It’s just so beautiful. Really, a dream come true. It’s adjacent to the restaurant as well, so if people are having dinner they can listen to us too. Just wonderful! 

Q: With the show being on the 18^th of April, it’s not very far away at all. What do your days consist of as the calendar counts down to the big night?

T: Practice, practice, practice! I am in New York as well until the 15th, which is SO scary because I am a practice-a-holic and that does NOT feel like enough time for me! I’m confident in how we sound, but it’s strange because we haven’t yet performed it so I’m not sure what sort of impression other people will have. I’m very excited for feedback! 

Q: With ALL the songs being brand new to the majority of people, are there any in particular that you’re itching to play, or certain songs that you are eager to experience a reaction from? Or is each track special to you for different reasons?

T: We’re playing The Orchestra live - which is a super ambient, drum and vocal song, mostly. We’re doing it with guitar, vocals and sax, and I’m really excited for that reaction because it’s not in traditional song form. It’s sort of just a long poem. So we’ll see how people like it!

Q: You’ve talked previously about different tracks having very different themes and styles and ultimately reflecting different moods that were experienced as they were written. Have any of the new songs been born out of an excitement to perform, or stemmed from a particular moment that still resonates with you personally?

T: That’s a great question! I think Kundalini - the newest song we just released and the one we’re doing a video for - was done on the heels of getting booked at The House of Blues, and it was the first time we had something to really WORK for. I’m very excited to play that live! 

Q: At this late stage in preparations, has anything surprised you about how you’re setting up for the gig, or the set list etc? Has deciding on the order of songs thrown up any interesting issues or feelings? For instance, has one song jumped out as the ideal track to open the show, or close it etc?

T: Yes! We did a sort of throw together set list to practice, that ended up being played around with a lot. But the first song has always been the same. Me and Josh are going to close the show together - give Boomer a break and get back to our roots.  

Q: There is always an energy and soul to a Hindu Doggie performance, even if you’re just sitting in someone’s house performing acoustically. Are you looking forward to bringing that energy and passion to the stage, and feeding of the audience as you perform?

T: It’s very insane to me that we’ve only really “performed” once, on new years eve (the day before our last interview! - ha), in front of a bunch of people who were less than sober ha-ha. But one person literally sat up and said “This is really happening right now!” I mean I laughed, but it was really affirming for us. I think I am most excited about what sort of energy we get out of people. Some of our songs are very personal.

Q: I can’t interview the magnificent Tara Mackey without talking about your beautiful photographs. How has your life been in front and behind the camera of late?

T: I have still been taking self portraits and modelling. Since January I’ve done an immense amount of work - and gotten signed to an agency! But most importantly I’ve been documenting my journey musically and my travels.  

Q: Have you got any plans to produce anything in particular with the material you’ve shot documenting your musical journey? Is there a series or a book of photographs that could emerge? Or are you living for the here and now more, making sure to capture moments, rather than plan for them?

T: I think I am doing a bit of both - and really loving it. I’ve been slowly filming for our Kundalini video - taking shots every day here and there with certain themes for a few weeks now. It’s the kind of thing that I think has to happen very organically for me, because I haven’t done video before that’s been so involved. 

I take photos at practice and of Josh and myself practically every day. I think I’ve conditioned myself to know that the here and now, while wonderful, is meant to be spent building towards something better and greater. I’m really trying my best to live that.

Q: Whilst talking pictures, will there be a photographer or videographer on hand on the 18^th to record your first gig for posterity? I’m sure Hindu Doggie’s European fans would love to witness the historic event, if they are unable to make the trip.

T: Well - thank you! I hope they can! We may video tape the entire thing, but there will definitely be people there taking photos and video. My best friend and designer for Avatar Labs, Cassandra, will be on hand filming and documenting. She’s great so I’m very excited about that!

Q: I’m sure your first performance will be a smash hit and I can’t wait to see the feedback. I want to wish you the very best of luck on the 18^th, and gladly give you this opportunity to invite people to the show in your own words…

T: It will be just as exciting for them as it is for us! I can guarantee some BEAUTIFUL tunes. Boomer will be on Sax, as well as myself on shaker and Josh and Boomer on guitar. We have some great harmonies and there’s a wonderful bar and restaurant in the lounge to make a night of! You won’t be disappointed! 

Q: Thanks so much for sharing this milestone in Hindu Doggie’s career with my blog. You’ll always have my unflinching support and best wishes.

T: Thank you so much. <3

 

Once again, it was a thrill to talk with Tara about her work, and I am so looking forward to her band’s debut performance. I know the show is going to be a hit; you only have to check out Hindu Doggie’s videos to witness their innate feel for the music. Listening to a Hindu Doggie track is an experience, and to share that experience with a live audience as well as the artists themselves is something not to be missed. So head on down to The House of Blues on Wednesday the 18^th or April, and prepare to be uplifted.

 

All links and band information will be listed below:

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/hindu-doggie/235604239833987

SoundCloud: http://soundcloud.com/hindudoggie

YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/hindudoggie

Tara’s tumblr: http://taramackey.tumblr.com/

April 18^th gig tickets: http://fla.vor.us/wafform.aspx?_act=eventview&_pky=121901

 

Images used in this piece came from the above sites and pages. Taken with Tara’s permission.

Q: As I mentioned before, there is some kind of indefinable rhythm and movement to your modelling work, like music. It leads us nicely onto talking about music and your projects with your band Hindu Doggie as well as your own solo work. First of all, what does music mean to you? Has it always been there in your life?

T: Music is my comfort, my lover, my love, my abandon, my heart, my soul. It means everything to me and I would be no one without it.

Q: Starting with your band Hindu Doggie if I may. How did the band get started and who is involved?

T: I met Josh James Gahris in a studio only 9 months ago. I was actually there to take photos, but it didn’t take long for music to come up. I wasn’t in the best place in life and I basically said to him, “Hi.  I am miserable and I need a friend. You’re hanging out with me because you’re the only person here I can talk to.” He was absolutely open and supportive from day 1.

The first time we hung out, he picked up my guitar and I sang. When we first jammed in front of other people, they thought that we were playing full, rehearsed songs, which I think was the first inspiration we needed. The band happened rather organically. He sort of started bringing instruments over to my apartment and setting up to record. Our first song was Tao Te Ching, which was just kind of an intro-experiment to see what we were trying to do. The more guitars or midi’s or mics that found their way, the more we played. I don’t know what most people do when they hang out, but that came really naturally to us.

Then we’d record and listen to it consistently in the car or on my phone, then we’d change one thing, listen to that mix for another week. It wasn’t something we were “trying” to do, so we weren’t in any rush to create something.

The greatest thing about Josh is that we think the same way. If we say, “let’s start a band!” we’ll start a band. But we don’t really talk about it. It just happens. By August we had around 5 or 6 sounds done. Right now it’s just a matter of picking what to do put out when, and we still write every day.

Once we realized that we could do covers, too (we have both a Britney Spears and an Elvis cover on YouTube), I think we were sold on the idea of going public with the band.

 

We débuted ” New Body” on 11/11/11.

 

Q: I know artists hate categorizing themselves, but how would you describe the bands brand of music?

T: I always say “Progressive Pop” because it’s like “…whatever that means…”, which is exactly what I need in my mind to really embrace this project. 

Q: Where do the songs come from? Is it a vigorous writing/composition process?

T: We do whatever feels right, I think. There are a lot of songs we’ve put on the back burner because you just know it doesn’t feel right just yet. It’s good, but it’s not what I’m trying to say right now. I think that every song we put out is a build up of a larger message that even we won’t know until it’s over. We have ideas pretty much every hour of every day. I think we will be making music for a long, long time. 

Q: Listening to the pieces there seems to me to be a spirituality that accompanies the tracks. Was there a particular mindset within the band when creating the songs like “The Orchestra” and “Tao Te Ching”?

T: The craziest thing is, we’ve written these songs while travelling through dozens of states. We’ve exchanged tracks when I’ve gone back home for the holidays. We’ve added things in California to songs that we wrote in New York. Some of what we have is what Josh had recorded years ago that I just wrote lyrics and melody to. Other tracks are ideas I have come to him with, or things that inspired me that we built up together. Or if he’s at work, I’ll call him and say, “I just recorded something over this song we haven’t touched in 6 weeks. You HAVE to hear it I’m so excited!” I think it’s a real, true collaborative process.

Q: “New Body” seems to me to be a bit of a celebratory anthem. Would you agree with this, or again, is the music of Hindu Doggie up for interpretation?

T: New Body was the first song that we wrote in California. I think it’s definitely a positive message about my reflection of my road trip and what I felt like I was doing in order to grow. It’s sort of my advice, I think, to the other artists and musicians and friends I left behind who I know want to “get out”, so to speak. After awhile it felt sort of like a letter home from summer camp: don’t worry. I am having fun and even though I’m a little overwhelmed and I miss you, it’s fun and I’ll be home when the sun goes down.

Q: I have recently been introduced to your work as a solo artist as well. It definitely showcases yet another dimension to your style and musicality. I’m sure you’ve been singing all your life, but what made you take the plunge and promote solo material in the first place?

T: I took a recording class when I went to Bennington College, and I was lucky enough to be taught by Julie Last, who was one of the first females in the music industry and was extremely encouraging to me about my lyric writing especially. She encouraged me to learn to play piano and write at the same time which definitely put me in the mindset to pursue song writing. I’m pretty horrible at it, but it does inspire me :) I recorded my own stuff during those classes. I did some demos here and there - I worked with Jamie Siegel (of JRock Studios, who is incredible!) on Visual Exchange. Enemy was a session song that they shopped to Lady Gaga and I think Rihanna, but neither of them wanted to use it for their albums, so I got to own and distribute it since I worked on it, which was pretty great since I also got paid to do the session work. I have been truly lucky in that regard. 

Q: As mentioned before, there are many dimensions and qualities to your voice. I hear some musical theatre in there, a bit of rock chick, some soulful lilts, as well as a myriad of nuances particular to you. What are your musical influences? Who did you grow up listening to?

T: That’s so great that you mention musical theatre because I would be no where without it! I did shows every year until I was maybe 20 or 21. I grew up listening to a lot of classical music, musical theatre, Frank Sinatra, Judy Garland, and Julie Andrews. Man, are those some voices not to be dismissed! I think it was extremely influential growing up with musical influences of people who transcended genres. It was nice to be able to listen to Frank’s holiday album and also see him act in Guys and Dolls. Around 9 or 10 I think I got into an Alanis Morisette phase, which turned into a Fiona Apple obsession, who is probably my biggest influence aside from Regina Spektor and Billie Holiday. Right now I rock everything from Mozart dubstep remixes to Sammie Davis Jr. I’ve been supporting some really great local California artists too: Kreayshawn is my girl.

Hindu Doggie has been interesting because Josh’s biggest influences are bands like My Morning Jacket and Radiohead. He’s also worked with Muse and The Deftones in the studio so I think that influences the band’s sound tremendously.

I think those of us in our early-mid 20’s are a product of everything from our parents blasting Mozart while we were in the womb, The Stones when we were 3, Nirvana at 5, to Britney Spears at 11, and now we’re all swimming around this mishmash of musical bi-product. Through it, even the Pop music is finding its own voice. It was really nice to hear bands like MMJ and MGMT on the main radio stations while on the road in the South. I think people’s minds are adapting to new sounds; it’s wonderful.

Q: Where and when was your first live performance as a solo artist? How did it go, and were there many nerves for you?

T: I sang for the first time in front of other people on my own when I was 7, so I barely remember that. But I was cast as “The Narrator” in the community theatre project of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat when I was 12. Getting the lead role at the age of 12 in a community theatre production with adults was probably where the nerves came in. They took me in a back room after call-back’s and said “There are 25 year old girls and 40 year old women who want this part, and we’re giving it to you, and people are going to hate you for it, and we don’t care.” They never really asked if I cared, and they were pretty much right. 4 months into gruelling auditions where everyone was stabbing me with their eyes was un-fun, but it prepared me for the mindset that I now have and that’s shaped a huge part of me: STOP caring. I went out there on opening night, and I opened and closed the show with my voice, and they sold out every night. I think it was half a ploy on their part to get people to come to the show, but it truly did shape the way that I thought, and I don’t think I’ve ever truly been jittery on stage because of it.

Q: As well as all these wonderful traits you’re also a writer of poetry and prose. Does this attraction to the written word help with your musical expression? Do you find it easy to write your own songs, or is it more laborious than people imagine?

T: It’s really not hard at all. I think I have a lot to say, and I’ve been blessed with feeling like I have a tremendous amount of ways to say it. I think they all feed into each other. Would I write music if writing wasn’t easy for me? Probably not. As much as I like a challenge, I’d probably find some other way to express myself.

Q: What are your plans for live performances in the future? Can people catch you on stage anywhere soon?

T: 2012 is all about live music!! We’ll be updating on Facebook and YouTube and Soundcloud for sure.

Q: You have so many creative outlets it seems, but what medium or form of expression gives you the most pleasure? Is there a career path you’d like to focus on 100% or are you enjoying the variation in your working life at the moment?

T: I think the only time I’ve ever truly “failed” in life is when I was trying to only focus on one career path. Just because you are born into a society that says you must do this and that with your life, that doesn’t mean you’re emotionally or even biologically built to do that thing. I did the 9-5 thing for a decade already; I’ve been working since I was 14. Being “out of work” was not an option. Well, now it’s what I thrive off of. I like that my pay doesn’t come in the form of a mass check, I like that every day is different, I like that it finally doesn’t feel like there’s enough hours in the day, I like travelling. And if I can find more things to do with my time, bring them on! :)

Q: What projects have you got coming up in the future be it modelling, writing, music, painting…?

T: Right now I am finally feeling settled enough to decorate my apartment, so I’ve been painting a lot. Hindu doggie is going to release a cover and a new song this week. I will be in a scene with Mark Ruffalo in “Thanks for Sharing”, as well as featuring in “Culture Magazine” in January. I have a huge set of modelling photos and a series that I did with my dog in New York that I’m super excited about. I’ll be scanning film photos, taking Selfies, writing until my pens burst, painting canvas, tripping over microphone wires and singing my heart out for a long time to come :)

Q: What are you hoping 2012 has in store for Tara Mackey?

T: Love, life, & light.

 

Q: Could we please finish with Bernard Pivot’s well known questionnaire?

What is your favourite word? Road.

What is your least favourite word? Beef.

What turns you on? Intrigue.

What turns you off? The Blues.

What sound or noise do you love? Ooo-AHH.

What sound or noise do you hate? Eee-AHH.

What is your favourite curse word? Derp.

What profession other than your own would you like to attempt? History Teacher. For sure.

What profession would you not like to do? History Teacher. For sure. (It’s my greatest realistic dream job, but I think I’d hate it in the end…)

If heaven exists, what would you like to hear God say when you arrive at the pearly gates? “Well, wasn’t that fun!”

 

 

It’s been my pleasure to being you this interview with Tara Mackey. I am extremely honoured to be able to say I’ve talked at length with this remarkable woman, about her work, career and inspirations. I hope I have introduced some uninitiated individuals to the majesty of Miss Mackey. Please show your appreciation by checking out her blog, and do yourself a favour and follow. You’ll be tantalized and enthralled by what you find.

http://taramackey.tumblr.com

 

All images used in this piece were provided or approved by Tara herself.

Musical interlude: Tara performing Criminal.

Check out this and other covers from Tara and Josh. Witness the voice and enjoy the collaboration. A vignette of a powerful yet soulful performer.

(Source: youtube.com)

A new year has dawned, and with it comes new interview offerings from the altgirlbotherer blog. For my first post of 2012, I am overjoyed to bring you the sublime talents and words of one Tara Mackey. It is my pleasure to present Tara’s interview as my New Year’s Day two part special. This interview is very special to me, as is the work produced by this precocious woman. As a model Tara is an emotive expressionist, creating images and inspiring intense reactions and associations. I can spend an age looking into one of Tara’s pictorial performances, dwelling on every component. She is captivating in front of the camera, with an exotic intrigue that is truly intoxicating. As a singer Tara has a varied pallet and a wealth of experience. Most importantly she has a passion, a deep connection with melody and tune. Her songs and vocalisations are events in themselves, and an area of herself I’d love to see explored to the absolute extreme. There are so many strings to this talented lady’s bow that I was in awe of her during the research process alone. As a person to converse with I found Tara loquacious and luminous. I think you’ll find that out for yourself when you delve into this piece. There are lessons galore within these words, for the artist and the aspirer. I was so thrilled to be collaborating with Tara on this, I believe it turned out wonderfully well, and it give me tremendous pride to feature our interview as my greeting to this New Year. I hope you all enjoy.

 

 

Q: Where do I start with such a multi-faceted individual as you Miss Mackey? I thought we’d begin with talking about your modelling work. It’s how I was first introduced to your world, and is an aspect of your creativity that captivated me. You must get asked a lot, but how did you get started in the modelling business? 

Tara: Thank you! That’s so nice! I am okay with starting there - I think it opened a lot of other doors for me. And it’s currently my job, so it’s as nice a place to start as any! I don’t remember exactly how it happened; I think it was just a vague idea, like most things start out. I looked at one casting near me at the time - a hair campaign for a salon in New York. They saw over 600 girls, did test shoots with a fraction, and then submitted that to the Creative Director. 5 of us were chosen. A week later I was asked to do an ad for Viper, and we got VIP treatment and I was exposed to the “real life” that goes on with the business, hands on. It all happened really quickly. I think if that first shoot had gone terribly, I probably wouldn’t have pursued it. 

Q: Was it something you always wanted to do, or was it someone else who saw your potential?

Tara: It wasn’t something I had dreamed about or even knew anything about. I think I was extremely comfortable on my first day and had fun with it. They didn’t know until after they hired me that it was my first shoot. Luckily I had a lot of people around me saying, “You’re really good at this!” In the beginning people were comparing me to Megan Ewing, which was great because all I wanted to do at the time was model for Guess! But I think after a while people realized that I wasn’t trying to model my style after anyone else, and it took on its own life once I realized that I wasn’t being held to any standards.

Q: What were your most prominent preconceptions about the modelling industry before you got into it, and how have those preconceptions changed now you’re a professional model?

Tara: Well, like everyone, it seems… mysterious and intriguing, and kind of, nonsensical. Like, “Oh, you make a living off of standing around. Great. Good for you. You must be a great person to talk to.” It seems like a “job” to roll your eyes at, especially in this economy. I think what I’ve realized is that, you have to work to get paid, and it’s hard work. It’s not at all about being the prettiest girl, it’s not as easy as it looks. I feel satisfied in what I am doing, and to me, that makes it more of a job than a lot of jobs I have had.

I used to get really embarrassed saying that this is what I do. But I think you just have to say it, and then let them see that you’re a worthwhile person, too.

Q: As an outsider, modelling is always a peculiar job to try and understand. What are the pluses and minuses for you about what you do? Also, what misconceptions do you think people have about your profession?  

T: It’s wonderful that I get to express myself any way that I want, and I truly see it as that. I take each shoot as an opportunity to tell a tale about what’s going on in my life, or my mind, or the photographer’s life. If we have a great conversation on the way to the studio, I will try to express that in what we’re doing when we get there. It’s a collaboration between myself and the photographer. I like that about it.

But a lot of people dismiss you immediately. I think the only downside I’ve ever seen is the looks people give you when you tell them what you do. I’ve had a lot of people immediately start talking down to me. I wish I could, at the same time, say “Hey. I’m smart, too. I went to college and do music and I love science and life. I am reading a great book at the moment and would like to talk about intriguing things.” Unfortunately, most people don’t give you that opportunity. 

Q: Your images are always thought provoking, especially your recent “self portrait” series. How much work goes into coming up with concepts for your shoots? Are you constantly thinking about the next project, or do you work much more organically, doing what feels right at the time and working with a photographer?

T: Thank you. Truly.

I am not modelling or photographing to show off myself or my body or what I look like, so “thought provoking” is a wonderful compliment.

The concepts create themselves. I moved to Hollywood less than 8 weeks ago after never being to Los Angeles before in my life. Right now, they are a combination of two things: the experiences that I had on my road trip from New York to California, and my intrigue and exploration of Hollywood and California itself. I wake up, and I pack my tripod and camera, and I hunt. I hunt for locations that inspire me, and I set up. Mostly it’s abandoned places, or extremely public areas at sunset. It’s given me a great purpose and explorative view on life.

So, I guess, a lot of work and not much work at all. It’s organic in emotion and inorganic in that I am setting it up and running to that spot and making a fool of myself to get the image. I am that girl you see jumping up and down in the park when you’re jogging or flinging herself at a window 5 or 6 or 10 or 20 times. I let it half happen by itself, and half by intense thought. I try to let the Self-Portraits convey that, too. That, hey - I may have spent 57 seconds settings up this shot, but 57 weeks of emotion went into it. You have to let emotion take over or you’ll never get the image that you want, anyway.

Q: You have a rare quality to emphasize and feature a different part of yourself in different moments. Your beautiful eyes could draw focus in one shot, then your skin could feature, or a particular pose could create intrigue. How does that happen? Are you conscious of such things, or are your pieces subject to audience’s individual interpretations?

T: I am conscious of all of it. I know that sounds insane, but I had to deal with tremendous health problems when I lived in New York, and during that process, I became increasingly aware of my body. Not in a bad way, or a self-conscious way. I just observed that it was different than other peoples, and how that worked for me, and things like that. I think that everyone should try to see their body as just a different thing than anyone else’s, and explore how that thought helps their mindset and their life goals. I believe that once you reach the place of not focusing on self consciousness, the true “conscious” thoughts you asked about can emerge. But there is definitely a part of it that I want the audience to find for themselves. I don’t really like to explain my work: I like it to run off of the emotions people experience when seeing or hearing it.

Q: There is also a rhythm and movement to some of your pictures, almost like you’re engaged in an ongoing dance with the camera. What is it like on the set of a Tara Mackey shoot? Is there music for instance? Also, how do you prefer to collaborate with a photographer? Do you like direction, or more freedom to create?

T: Thank you! There is almost always music, unless we’re outside, and when I’m doing Selfies, I almost always have earbuds in. I don’t mind direction at all and I really thrive off of expanding on it. I only have one body and one mind and there is only so much I can think of to do when I can’t see myself, so I really appreciate feedback during shoots. I’m a really collaborative person and I enjoy bouncing ideas off of other people.

Q: When I see such exquisite photographs from a model, I always ask about their personal relationship with photography. I’m very interested in a photographer’s eye for an image.

T: I’ve been doing photography since I was 11 years old. I have 9 cameras and only one of them ISN’T film. I absolutely adore my Diana Dreamer and Diana Mini and vintage Polaroid cameras. I think that Photography inspired and continues to inspire the modelling, and vice versa. I started doing the Selfies because I missed it: I am a former Self-Portrait photographer, but I haven’t done it seriously in almost a year, which was getting to be an amazingly long time for me. I think I was using that time to focus on modelling and music and other things, but photography has a way of calling you back. 

Q: Your work is varied to say the least. Is there a theme or style of shoot you have enjoyed the most, or a concept you’d like to explore in the future?

T: I enjoy it all. I am really excited to explore California and being able to shoot outdoors in the winter!  I’m about to explore everything! It’s so wonderful here to have the beaches, the mountains, and sunshine, but also the option of snow!

Q: Are there any models or photographers that you’d like to work with in the future?

T: ALL of them! Haha. I won’t name-drop, but you have inspired me to e-mail some people :)

 

to be continued…