"What does a punk rock drummer have to do with authentic country music? Turns out quite a bit. Tortilla Western Serenade is Tara’s third effort as a solo artist, and so far has had great critical success.  She is racking up reviews right and left and I can see why.

"Country, torch songs, jazzy blues and a bit of Spanish, she has it ALL. This album is a must if you want to know what country can really be. She meets you at the border, slaps the hindquarters of your horse, and races you out to the new frontier...... continue reading review  

Tortilla Western Serenade is now getting radio airplay across Uruguay (Artigas, Paysandu, Rivera, Rocha, Colonia,) as well as Argentina, Mexico & Spain on syndicated radio la Hora Country del Dial Uruguayo  "lo mejor de la Música Country de todos los tiempos, los éxitos de hoy y los clásicos de ayer".   Uruguay is Tara Linda's manager's adopted country after living there for several years in the Peace Corps and its awesome that Tara Linda is being heard there, (perhaps even by soccer star Diego Forlan! )  At left is a wonderful picture of a classic Uruguayan gaucho taken by Vin Kutty.    
Saludos a todos mis amigos Orientales! - John

"For this CD, I’m going places I’ve never been-  creatively, personally, musically.  Creatively- this will be a collection of original jazzy blues songs that are more jazzy than bluesy like early jazz of the 30′s/40′s era.  My turntable has been spinning almost constantly with Sarah Vaughan, Count Basie, Louis Armstrong, Johnny Dodds, Ella Fitzgerald.  While I’ve always listened to early jazz (especially when it rains)  I’ve never really tried to write anything close to this.  So this time, musically, I’ve challenged myself to write a jazz swing, a bossa nova shuffle, a stomp, a jazz tango, 2 jazz ballads…"  Continue reading blog post

Tara Linda has been busy writing & recording new songs for her next CD. She is now working in studio's in South Texas, San Francisco, & Oakland.

More than previous projects, this CD will feature Tara's vocals as a predominant instrument- as she sings original jazzy blues and torch songs. Tara says "I'm really inspired now by all the great singing legends like Sarah Vaughan, Louie Armstrong, Ella Fitzgerald, Nat King Cole. I'm enjoying writing torch songs and jazz ballads right now."  Musical mates on this journey include bandmates Az, Paul, Rafa, and and special guests Paul Eastburn and Steven Strauss. Check out where the Muses have taken Tara ~ on both Facebook and her Muse's Blog.

Meanwhile, you can get a sneak peak preview of the new music in her live performances here "Rain, Rain" and "Muses Tango"

Tara Linda's last CD~ was well received in the Americana charts.  The Freeform American Roots Chart (Austin, TX) taps the pulse of roots/Americana music among independent DJ's in the U.S. & Europe  (DJs who actually pick the music they play). They chose Tara's CD in it's "FAR & Away Best Debut CD of 2010" list- #6.

Our new design is now available! We had a lot of fun with the artwork:  Una calaveras accordionista serenading an armadillo !  Available in Slate Blue-Grey (Mens & Womens) and a gorgeous Magenta (Womens only).  These are high-quality American Apparel 100% cotton shirts.   Only $ 20

NOTABLY TEXAN ~ Tune in right after All Things Considered on KETR 88.5 Commerce Texas or listen on-line at KETR.org for Matt Meinke's one hour Feature Interview with Tara Linda starting at 7:50 central time zone Thursday Dec 9.   Live performances & interview and songs from the new release Tortilla Western Serenade.
CLICK TO HEAR ENTIRE PODCAST

Tortilla Western Serenade has reached #17  on the Euro Americana Charts ! (October 2010) with airplay on Americana radio in the Netherlands, France, UK,  Italy, Croatia, Germany, Belgium, Ireland...

European Reviews !
Highway 61|  Italy "excellent work, surely one the best debut releases of the year"
Blabber 'n' Smoke | Scotland "incredibly invigorating....sexy and sinister...This approach reaches its apogee on Leavin’ Texas (Drivin’ Slow) where LA punk inspired guitar and screeching Mexican horns collide"
Wasser Prawda | Germany  "a songstress who has absorbed into her style an entire spectrum of traditions, from Texas-style Western Swing to Tango, Jazz and indeed the folklore of Latin America.  And with an incessant pounding energy that hearkens back to her history on the drums in the Punk scene"
Al Country | Netherlands "a mystery journey...the tornados hit the ground with fine guitar work"
Ctrl Alt County | Belgium CD of the Week "An unusually distinctive rootsy hutsepot..majestic soundscapes clearly inspired by Ennio Morricone.. fans of Lhasa, Lila Downs, Los Lobos, Calexico will enjoy"  
Svarten | Sweden "various music styles are mixed to invent something new and personal"
Rootstime | Belgium "We dare to say that within this genre Tortilla Western Serenade by Tara Linda is one of the very best to come on to the market in 2010"
Rootshighway |  Italy  "has the effect of transporting you to idyllic distant places you've never been or where you want to be....irresistable.. an outstanding collection" ...bellissima raccolta

Mr. Klaus Stetter President of Hohner Germany Says: Tara Linda's Tortilla Western Serenade is an incredible collection of well written songs.  "It takes you through a journey into the wild west in a mysterious way. One of the best CDs I have listened to in a very long time"

To thank all the DJ's who take the time to listen to new music, I'm  heading out on a radio tour across Texas, So.Cal, the Mojave, Arizona, New Mexico, and Colorado Oct and Nov, playing lots of solo shows along the way. Please check my shows page for dates and places near you. And feel free to write me with the name of your favorite music spot for my next tour!

Tortilla Western Serenade reaches # 12 on the Roots Music Report's  Roots Rock Radio Airplay Chart.  (July 23)
The album has been in the top 20 Roots Rock albums receiving radio airplay for 7 weeks (as of August 27).
TWS has made the playlists on over 200 radio stations, and every song from the album has been played on the FM dial.

RMR Chart 7/23/10
1 ALEJANDRO ESCOVEDO
2 PETER CASE
3 JOHN HIATT
4 DANGERMUFFIN
5 KEVIN WELCH
6 FRED EAGLESMITH Y
7 GOV'T MULE
8 BILL KIRCHEN
9 RARE EARTH BEST O
10  LOS LONELY BOYS
11 TIFT MERRITT
12 TARA LINDA
13 SARA PETITE
14 DEER TICK
15 PIETA BROWN
16 CINDY BULLENS
17 JUSTIN RUTLEDGE
18 CHRIS ISAAK
19 BAND OF HEATHENS
20 GRAHAM
21 ELVIS COSTELLO
22 SON VOLT