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With a career marked by hypnotic rhythms, deep emotional undertones, and a passion for boundary-pushing sounds, Tara Brooks continues to evolve as a powerhouse in the electronic music scene. Her latest release, Come Back EP, is a testament to her ability to blend old-school nostalgia with forward-thinking soundscapes, creating tracks that resonate both on the dancefloor and in listeners’ hearts.
In this exclusive interview, Tara shares the inspirations behind Come Back EP, her approach to balancing dark and uplifting elements, and how her collaboration with Desert Hearts Black has shaped her musical journey. She also gives us a glimpse into her creative process, the challenges of keeping techno fresh and engaging, and what exciting projects lie ahead.
Let’s dive in.
What was your main inspiration behind the Come Back EP? Did any particular experience or emotion influence its creation?
I’ve always had many sides to me, and the last few years I’ve been experimenting and diving deeper into unexpected spaces. Daniel Avery has been a huge inspiration, and his ‘Need Electric’ 2023 redux edit really inspired me.
How would you describe the sonic journey of the title track, “Come Back”? What elements make it stand out for you?
“Come Back” was a no-brainer, as I used a vocal sample and distorted it with Tantra to make it trippy and sexy.
“Off My Mind” has been described as leaning into bass rhythm and adding bounce. What kind of vibe were you aiming to create with this track?
That was the idea and flow of “Off My Mind”—a little dark and edgy, but fun, bouncy, and sexy. It’s versatile and can be dropped in many different style sets, like a more futuristic, deep techno version of old-school Richy Ahmed.
Your music is known for its hypnotic rhythms and emotive undertones. How do you strike a balance between these two elements?
I’ve always been inspired by hypnotic moods and tones. Being an extremely emotional and sensitive person, I express music and feeling based on my emotions and environment. It’s a journey and collaboration between my dancers’ energy and me. With such a love for the darker side of music and uplifting sounds and feelings, I focus on delivering a balance of both to keep us on our toes, continuously surprised yet flowing. This tends to take a trip through a multitude of soundscapes.
What role does Desert Hearts Black play in supporting cutting-edge artists like yourself? How has your collaboration with them shaped this release?
Being an OG resident for Desert Hearts has always meant a lot to me. From the very beginning, Marbs and I were quite unique in sound and style. We’re both touched and inspired by dark, trippy, melodic tech sounds. It was only a matter of time before DH Black came along, creating a space dedicated to this darker, left-field, edgy side of house and tech.
The Come Back EP combines both old-school vibes and modern sounds. How do you integrate nostalgic elements into your music while keeping it forward-thinking?
I honestly don’t overthink too much—I just flow. The old-school nostalgia feel is part of my roots, and with all my experiences, risks, and boundary-pushing, I always feel the urge to push toward future sounds.
Which part of the production process for the Come Back EP was the most challenging, and how did you overcome it?
The challenge for “Come Back,” and for techno in general, is keeping it interesting. Not letting it get too dark or too heavy. It’s about making it groove and drive, while also adding change and uplift. Tribal grooves, sprinkled breakbeats, an interesting 303 hook, and sexy vocals all play a role.
Both tracks in the EP are described as DJ essentials. How do you approach creating music that resonates with both listeners and DJs?
I’m happy to hear the EP is considered a DJ essential. As always, I strive to create something I not only want to play but also want to dance to—on both sides of the decks. Whatever genre I land in, it has to have a sexy groove, with a major focus on the drum groove. I want to feel it emotionally and make sure we’re all shaking our asses. The interesting, trippy 303 hook and sexy vocals should land perfectly.
What kind of emotions or atmospheres do you hope listeners will experience when they hear Come Back and Off My Mind?
Everyone interprets music differently, but I want my listeners and dancers to have fun with the EP. I want them to know they can play or dance to it at peak-time late at night or slow it down a touch and drop it mid-set to stir things up. It’s definitely made for the club or a warehouse—higher energy to let go into. I want them to feel alive and a little surprised, yet also placed into a minimal state of trance. I just want people to feel happiness. Whatever is going on in their life or their day, good or bad, I want them to let go and escape into the sounds. I want to be in sync with the crowd so we can all take the journey together. I want them to hear something unique and unexpected, yet still with a fun groove and bounce. My goal is to deliver the same feeling I want to experience when I’m on the dancefloor.
How has your sound evolved over the years, and where does the Come Back EP fit into your artistic journey?
While my sound continuously evolves, I’ve always had a passion for techno, house, electro, and old-school prog. I’m always exploring and experimenting, jumping across genres and crossing boundaries. I stay on my toes, take a few steps forward, then go back to my roots to keep pushing my own limits.
Can you share any behind-the-scenes stories or moments while working on the Come Back EP?
I’d been playing more shows with techno artists like Ben Klock, Nicole Moudaber, and Carl Cox, so I felt inspired to tap into my own darker, weirdo, deep techno. The idea felt simple, really. It’s easy to get burnt out or even bored when you’ve been working on your greatest passion for many years. To feel motivated and inspired, I have to keep trying new avenues. Loving so many genres and styles, I approach all angles to feed the moods I’m in—which, in this case, was some trippy acid techno.
What’s next for Tara Brooks? Are there any future projects, collaborations, or performances we should look forward to?
There are lots of fun projects in the works. A remix series collaborating with Dantiez Saunderson for the legendary KMS Records, a remix for Mary Droppinz coming out on Never B Alone, a collaboration with Kyle Kinch, a release on Rvdioactive with a dope Junior Sanchez remix, a few Defected projects in the works, and a collab with the incredible Mr. V. There’s also an exciting
