When listening to your lyrics, I sense
that there is also the strong desire to
inspire people to embrace and harness
their own potential. Would you agree
with that assessment? One of the very
first ideas that I began writing about
revolved around the power of one’s
own voice, and I don’t mean that in
a strictly musical sense. Rather, how
can we bring our own unique voices,
our ideas, our gifts into the world? We
all have the tendency to create self-
limiting beliefs. Society has its own set
of ideas about how we should behave.
And so we tend to keep ourselves at
a distance from really stepping into
our power as individuals and embrac-
ing our gifts that can have a profound
impact on the world around us. I
want to inspire people to use their
unique voice and to share their truth.
I include myself in that. I’m not ad-
dressing things that I am not trying to
actively work on myself.
How is music a vehicle for peace?
Music can be an incredible vehicle for
activism. It can speak to social and po-
litical issues, shine a light on difficult
situations, or question the status quo.
Throughout history, music has repeat-
edly served as an agent for change. I
have seen it cultivate more awareness
which can lead to a more peaceful
and kind world. Music reflects the
times we are living in and can often
help catalyze compassionate action.
How do you broach the topic of
peace within your own music? I don’t
necessarily write something and say,
“This is a peace song!” For me, it’s more
about how can I connect with listen-
ers in their heart. I have to first go
there within myself and then offer up
that feeling in my music. How many
ways can we discuss peace without
actually saying the word peace? How
can I really dig into the feelings of
what it means to be human? If my
lyrics come from a place of preaching
then they don’t acknowledge my own
part in the problems we all face. The
words becomes less about us and what
we share. Sharing our stories and be-
ing open and vulnerable with each
other encourages real understanding,
and within that there is peace.
How important is it for the arts to be
a platform for peaceful changes in
today’s world? Especially in today’s
world, any kind of artform that can
bring people together around a posi-
tive message is incredibly important
and something that we need. As an
artist myself, how do I reflect the
times or make my music count for
something? My songs don’t necessar-
ily provide answers for people, but
rather they pose questions or ideas for
the listener to reflect upon... like the
choices we make, how we treat each
other, what we do with our lives. I
think that art should challenge people
to pause and look within themselves
and at their surroundings.
How do you get into the heart space to
write your songs? Oftentimes, when
I am moved to write about something,
the lyrics come quite easily. It’s almost
like a song whose time ripened and
came through. If I try to force some-
thing it is usually a much harder pro-
cess. For example, when I participated
in the Women’s March in Washington
D.C., this year, I was immediately in-
spired to compose a song about wom-
en’s empowerment as well as record a
song called “Mother of Exiles” —they
both came out in one day with a lot
of fire, energy and inspiration. (Click
here to listen: https://www.youtube.
com/watch?v=UCEW4M_7MnM)
I feel more compelled than ever to
give a voice to what is going on in
the world.
Can you talk a bit more about “Mother
of Exiles” and the story behind it? I
was seeing the words inscribed on
the Statue of Liberty being referenced
by a lot of people at the march and on
socila media in the wake of proposed
travel ban to the U.S. It’s a beautiful
poem called “The New Colossus,” and
it’s about how the United States is
a place that lovingly welcomes im-
migrants to its shores. So, along with
my music producer Blake Vadasy,
we took the words of the poem, cre-
ated a powerful melody. Filmmaker
Jacob Wise made an accompanying
video for the song using footage from
Ellis Island, the Civil Rights move-
ment, the Syrian refugee crisis and
women’s rights protests. The video
highlights how the issues of the past
are still with us today. When I think
of the Statue of Liberty, I see a strong
woman, who’s a benevolent protector
of this country—she’s a mother to ev-
eryone. The song has a bold and cou-
rageous message that expresses what
America truly stands for. My hope is
that it open hearts, brings us together
in love and compassion, and reminds
us of our beaitiful humanity.
Ryan Zepp is a writer who is passionate about
offering personal insight into the many func-
tions and experiences that belong to music.
Visit Adalia Tara’s website for her latest music at
www.adaliatara.com.
IMAGINE l Spring 2017 25