We caught up with Tarric to talk about his journey, his music, and the release of his upcoming album Method. He shared how his move from the Midwest to Los Angeles, with just $400 in his pocket, was a leap of faith that set him on the path to where he is today. Tarric opened up about how his experiences shaped his sound, blending personal stories with influences from both music and film to craft a vision that feels entirely his own.
Tarric’s new single, “I’ll Make You See,” is an emotional and powerful introduction to Method. The track touches on themes of self-awareness, struggle, and personal truth, and sets the stage for the album’s exploration of loss, healing, and growth. With its mix of nostalgic new wave vibes and modern indie sounds, this song marks a new chapter in Tarric’s musical journey, and we can’t wait for listeners to experience what’s next.
Tarric, your journey into music is both inspiring and unconventional. Can you tell us more about how your experiences in the Midwest shaped your musical identity, and what led you to Los Angeles with just $400 in your pocket?
Musically, the Midwest is a bit different than the coasts. Country and pop are the norm, but rock is still very popular there, so I couldn’t help but be influenced by it—it’s a right of passage for the Midwestern male. Still, I was always into alternative and indie music, which, while less popular, has a small and dedicated fanbase that sort of sticks together, and I always appreciated that.
As for my journey, I was on my way to medical school and had a crisis of conscience. I knew I wanted to do something creative for a living, and the looming prospect of 8 years of medical school was terrifying, so I decided it was do or die. At that moment in time, I had $400, an Acura Integra with 300,000 miles on it, and the idiotic notion I could make that work. There are many twists and turns in the story, including sleazy producers, a drug lord, and a show about repo men, but the main ingredient in all of it is perseverance. Talent came a distant second.
Your music has garnered praise for blending new-wave influences with modern indie sounds. What is it about the sounds of bands like The Smiths, Depeche Mode, and The Killers that resonated with you, and how have they influenced your work?
First and foremost, I love lyrics that reflect on life a bit, and that always drew me to these types of bands. I also like things that are a little off the beaten path, such as songs with different beats and chord progressions. It’s ultimately difficult to explain why particular genres move you more than others, but I think it partly has something to do with the way the music matches your life experiences and how you view the world.
In addition to your musical career, you’ve worked in film and television production at major studios. How has your experience in these industries influenced your music and your approach to creating visual storytelling through your music videos?
Working in film and television has really made me think about storytelling and visuals in my music. It also makes you think about what kind of scenes could match with the music, from small, intimate conversations to big epic action scenes. Creating music that will fit these moments is a great way to force yourself to think outside of the minutiae of your last bad relationship.
You’ve mentioned that your music often explores themes of love, loss, and the search for meaning. How do you approach songwriting to capture these complex emotions, and do you find yourself drawing from personal experiences?
I love music that speaks to one’s life and gives you something to relate to. If done right, a music listener should find an artist who understands what they’re feeling and works through it with them. The only way I can start writing is by identifying a situation or feeling that is deeply personal to me. I think a part of artistic expression is sorting through your feelings and then expressing them in your work. If you’re being genuine, people tend to pick up on that—at least I hope.
Your debut album, Lovesick, explored the complexities of relationships. How did you approach the creation of this album, and what were some of the key moments or influences that shaped it?
Lovesick was sort of a concept album where each song is about a different relationship. It was really personal, but it got me thinking about the emotional aftermath of a relationship or a friendship. What kind of feelings are you left to deal with? And how exactly did you deal with them? If you’ve ever been in a bad relationship, you know that you’re left feeling differently about the other person but maybe more poignantly about yourself and the world around you.
For instance, “Born to Go” was written about the death of my father, whom I loved dearly. I not only tried to write about what I was feeling but also how I dealt with it. The song then really became about losing someone special in your life, whether they pass or just leave. It was really cathartic. I also have to say that most of the songs on the album are not nearly as depressing as I just made them sound.
Your upcoming album, Method, promises to dive deeper into themes of loss, healing, and self-reflection. How would you describe the overall emotional journey that listeners can expect to experience from this new album?
I think albums are great because they can be a sort of documentary of your life at that moment in time. I really wanted to capture all the things that were going on at that time. Like most people’s lives, there were great moments and bad ones, but the difference this time was that I was much more mellow and reflective than I’ve been in the past. I hope it makes for a more interesting journey for anyone who listens.
What differentiates Method from your debut album, Lovesick? Are there any new musical or thematic directions that you’ve explored on this record?
This definitely feels like a different musical direction. I try not to repeat the style and feel of each album. The first album is more raw and immediate, while Method is much more reflective and smooth-sounding—maybe even more accessible? It’s hard to describe these things without sounding like a self-important weirdo.
What were the key musical elements and inspirations behind the sound of Method?
There’s an odd line between making music that is a copy of past genres and one that is just an homage. I’m very aware of the music that is being made right now, and I want to play in that ballfield while still bringing in some old-school sensibilities. I think a lot of times the magic goal for me is to create something that won’t sound like it came from a particular year or era. Hopefully, it will be something that people dislike because of my writing and not the sound of the kick drum.