Ever feel like you got too many interests? Artist Tara Byars embraces it. We met her in the garage of a BBQ freestyling SO WELL under the name Queen LaReefa wearing a vest she had sewn herself and we had to learn more. Turns out she also makes videos for the likes of DUCKWRTH and Syd tha Kyd, mixtapes of rare new music, and collages from vintage magz. Most recently, she’s teamed up with DJ TAEO to form music duo VISCERALTRIBE Obvi, we got Tara to join us on Konversation.us for our latest exhibit “Twist.”  –> View the exhibit –>

“Twist” has some pretty strong meanings literally and figuratively. How’d you decide to come at it for this exhibit?

Initially I wanted to go the easy route an just make something “warped” on paper or canvas, but instead  Visceral Tribe + Rave-On Beautiful & Myself made this track called “No New Friends.” (No drake references, please. Haha.) Recently I’ve been more focused on my Music & Artwork
then Video/Photo these days because I’m constantly trying to perfect ALL my Crafts. The “twist” for me was in the Cover for this Track.
Its a play on words (at least in my eyes). The song is very neosoul/peaceful and the visual shows no sign of that. It’s more sad looking I think. I have a habit when I make covers, I don’t really stick to a theme or a basic look, I’m more “outside the box” if you will. It’s always been that way. I just decided to take a trippy visual take on a homeless man’s dream.

[soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/122510015″ params=”auto_play=false&hide_related=false&visual=true” width=”100%” height=”450″ iframe=”true” /]

Dang you’re so multitalented! What do you consider yourself as creatively?
An Artist to say the least. I work with so many different mediums these days its hard to put a LABLE on what it is that I do.
Honestly, I consider it all Art, from my photography to Visceral Tribe. Its all creative expression, no need to limit yourself.

How did moving back to your hometown, Pismo Beach, affect your creative process?
Ha! I knew coming home would ultimately bring back some old inspiration. But I never thought I would “live” where I grew up.
I’ve always had this mentality when I was younger to break free from my hometown as I’m sure most 18yr old kids do. But now being
a little older, I’ve realized it a great place for me to FOCUS on what I love doing. I cave out, and seperate myself from alot of distractions and ultimately the results have been amazing.

I can’t wait to move back to the Bay Area though. That is where I flourish the most.

[soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/127323254″ params=”auto_play=false&hide_related=false&visual=true” width=”100%” height=”450″ iframe=”true” /]

In the Bay, you’ve hung round crews like themhellas and freedminds, whats your vision for your own collective- Visceral Tribe?
Well Visceral Tribe consists of Myself & DJ TAEO (Matthew Wright: Producer), but our vision for Visceral Tribe is to utilize it as a platform to collaborate with like minded individuals aswell as create something greater than ourselves.
As for Inspriation, Inspiration comes from all areas of life. Music, Art, Media, Pizza, Wheel Chair Jimmy Tour, Books, Fucking, Weed! Ya know…Anything.
Our goal is just to create a natural & honest sound + work with other people trying to do that same, & have fun doin it.

When it comes to making art, what stands out in your favorite pieces? What leaves a mark on you?
It definitely varies from what I’m making at the time. But for MY ART I love a lot of color & layers + textures. I love textures. When I first started using Photoshop my main Inspiration was Jeff Koons Digital Artwork, because it was LOUD with its color and crazy with texture.
I guess now I’ve evolved into using a lot of vintage porno mags, inspirations from LSD trips + 1950’s ad’s for my collage work. It’s really all over the place. Sounds a little bizarre, but it’s what comes out in my art these days.

Whats your fav video you’ve made and your fav video you’ve seen?
Well in 2011 I had the opportunity to shoot SYD THA KYDS set at LOW END THEORY @ 1015 Folosom so that was a blessing.
But my favorite Video I’ve shot would have to be for DUCKWRTH 2012 DUCKTAPE. I shot 2 promos for his tape. Duck is from ThemHellas
& ThemHellas are like Family so we worked really well together & our creativity was limitless.

A video I recomend to the people RIGHT NOW would be either be STEREOLAB – FLUORESENCES or BLACK MOTH SUPER RAINBOW – DREAMSICLE BOMB those are both pretty old but the visual stimulant is MIND BLOWING. As for new music, I’d say check out TEA & LEMONADE – PYRAMID VRITRA it’s trippy to say the least.

For all our hesitant readers out there, what’s a moment in your life that encouraged you to stay motivated in committing to creative pursuits?
Honestly it took me realizing that in any situation you can recycle negativity into something positive. And for how cliche
that may sound, its true. For example I’ve turned horrible breaks up into beautiful pieces of art. As well as Creative Visceral Tribe
from just motivation and the thrill to pursue my Crafts. Just hard work & a dream really (haha). You can ask anyone in my circle I say this all the time “Opportunity is EVERYWHERE!” you just have to key in on it and take advatange, + stay focused & dont let these “Energy Vampires” take your focus off whats really important to you. Surround yourself with people you trust. I guess just stay in a creative mind set and manifest your goals.

–> See our Konversation exhibit with Tara, “Twist” –>

All follow everything!

Tara:
http://soundcloud.com/tara-byars
http://tarabyars.bandcamp.com/
http://tarabyars.tumblr.com/

Visceral Tribe:
http://soundcloud.com/visceral-tribe
http://visceraltribe.tumblr.com/
http://www.facebook.com/VISCERALTRIBE