“North” is the new single from Brisbane Indie-pop artist Tara Simmons, who sadly passed away earlier this month following a battle with cancer.
We at the AU have known and been covering Tara for the better part of the last decade, and couldn’t be more devastated by her passing. Tara has left us some music to enjoy though, which frankly is exactly the sort of thing she would do – being the absolutely breathtakingly wonderful human she was.
“North” is the second single from a full length record due out later this year. The first single “Achromatopsia” was released last year. Despite her illness, Simmons continued to create music, with her friend and collaborator Yanto Browning noting in an open letter that she continued to record and create music right up until the end.
The forthcoming album will feature an all-star cast of collaborators including Kate Miller-Heidke and Megan Washington on backing vocals, as well as production from Danny Harley (The Kite String Tangle), Dean McGrath (Hungry Kids of Hungary) and Jungle Giants‘ Sam Hales.
“North” is a great slice of dark pop and features some striking and ‘wonky’ instrumentation overlaid with a stunning vocal performance from Simmons. It’s experimental, it’s urgent and ultimately it’s utterly listenable.
“North” is available now. Head to Tara’s website and her Instagram, where she answers questions and talks about her cancer in the hopes of demystifying cancer and helping those also suffering. Which frankly is exactly the sort of thing she’d do.
Header Image: Sophie Richards
