From California, to Tennessee, to Texas, country pop singer-songwriter Tara Tinsley has seen it all.
Over the course of her career, Tinsley has performed at numerous major venues such as the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, the Pontiac Silverdome in Michigan, and the Angels Stadium in Anaheim, California. She has done three tours of Japan, and has opened for acts like Smashmouth, Sister Hazel, Augustana, David Benoit, and Boston.
The songwriter’s travel and personal experiences helped shape her vibrant country-tinged sound, and this is on full display in her latest EP, You’ve Got It, which dropped March 15th. The new Nashville-recorded release is the most recent in her long and storied career, and shows Tinsley’s understanding of both classic country and modern country music.
Country artists have been finding creative ways to share commonplace stories for as long as the genre has been around, and Tinsley does just that in her captivating single from the record, “Stronger Than the Wind.” The talented songstress sings of two people who keep ending up back with each other despite all the times they’ve tried to resist each other. She is “caught in a gust of love, but I’m not stronger than the wind.”
Tinsley pairs her clever lyrics on a stormy relationship with a clear voice that rings out over a steady drum and bass rhythm, along with soft guitars. The focus on her vocals allows for the story of the song to shine through in the beautiful modern country melody Tinsley sings.
“You’ve Got It” – the title track of the record- is the lead song, kicking things off in a most endearing way. The song delivers an uplifting message of love and strength that can be found inside one’s own heart. With an electric energy driving the song, it’s only logical to have a twangy, yet simple guitar supporting the message, but not outshining the full and melodic lyrics.
Tinsley closes out her six-track EP with, “Best if I Don’t,” which is a clever spin on the beloved woman scorned side of modern country music. The country rock guitar and beat of the song match well with Tinsley’s slightly edgier vocals. What makes this song stick out is the take on the goods and bads. After listing all the things which would be best if she didn’t do, Tinsley closes out her chorus with how it may be right to just leave them alone… but maybe it’s best if she doesn’t.
Tinsley herself talks more in depth about the songs on You’ve Got It in her behind the songs video for the EP. The seasoned songwriter has yet another solid release to hang her cowgirl hat on, and the sky’s the limit for Tara Tinsley.
