Taarka

Infobox musical artist
Name = Taarka


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Background = group_or_band
Origin = Lyons, Colorado, Portland, Oregon
Genre = Folk rock
Experimental
Jazz
Years_active = 2001–present
Label = Frogville Records
Associated_acts = ThaMuseMeant
URL = [http://www.taarka.com www.taarka.com]
Current_members = Enion Pelta–Tiller
David Tiller
Dale Largent
Jason Flores
Adam Hill
Eric Thorin
Damian Erksine
Past_members = Jarrod Kaplan, James Whiton

"Taarka" is a Colorado-based folk/jazz quintet, formed in 2001. Although the bassists and percussionists vary, the band's two founders, the husband/wife team Enion Pelta-Tiller (violin) and David Tiller (mandolin) are always a part of the Taarka experience.

History

In 2000, David Tiller's band, ThaMuseMeant, took a hiatus and Tiller moved to New York City. In New York, Tiller met Enion Pelta through a band called Brooklyn Browngrass. Tiller and Pelta started playing and writing together in early 2001, and shortly after the couple moved to Oregon. In the coming months, Taarka was formed. [cite web | url = http://www.taarka.com/ | title = Story of Taarka | publisher = taarka.com | date = 2007-10-11 | accessdate = 2007-10-11] In 2002, "Taarka: Live In the Studio" was recorded and released, and although it is currently out of print, it is still available for digital download on iTunes. In 2003, ThaMuseMeant re-formed with a new member: Enion Pelta–Tiller on violin, David Tiller's new wife. In the same year, the Tillers released an acoustic duo album, "Man Chasing Woman around Table". On the Frogville Records website, "Man Chasing Woman" is listed as being out of print, but "maybe available for download soon" [cite web | url = http://www.frogvilleplanet.com/catalog/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=27&products_id=81 | title = Dave & Enion Tiller - Man Chasing - Out Of Print | publisher = Frogville Records | date = 2007-11-01 | accessdate = 2007-11-01] . With 2004 came two new albums; ThaMuseMeant's "Silver Seed" and Taarka's "Even Odd Bird". "Even Odd Bird" is the oldest album by Taarka that is currently available for sale on their website. After constant touring for several years, Taarka announced in early 2007 that a new album and EP were to be released that year, titled "The Trailer" and "The Martian Picture Soundtrack". Both the EP and the album featured renowned bluegrass fiddler Darol Anger on "The Creepy", a song written by David Tiller, and Joe Craven ("Tutu Tango") and Casey Driessen ("Lonely Woman") were featured on the album. ["The Martian Picture Soundtrack" liner notes]

Etymology

Taarka answered how the name "Taarka" came about on their website. cquote|"We came up with the name on a spring day in 2002, when Enion, who loves to cook, especially indian food, thought of it: the word which describes roasting spices to create the base for an indian culinary delicacy. There are two kinds of t(a)arkas - wet and dry. A wet t(a)arka is a mix of garlic, ginger and onions sauteed in ghee. A dry t(a)arka is a mixture of whole spices, dry-roasted or fried in oil, til the seeds begin to pop." [cite web | url = http://www.taarka.com/ | title = Often, we're asked, what does TAARKA mean? | publisher = taarka.com | date = 2007-10-11 | accessdate = 2007-10-11]

Band members

*David Tiller - Mandolin, Guitars, Vocals, Bass, Bouzouki
*Enion Pelta–Tiller - Violins, Vocals
*Dale Largent - Percussion
*Adam Hill, Eric Thorin or Damian Erskine - Basses

Discography

Albums

References

External links

* [http://www.taarka.com/ Taarka's official site]
* [http://www.myspace.com/taarka Official MySpace]
* [http://www.frogvilleplanet.com/jamroom/bands/25/ Taarka on Frogville Records]