Chamber-pop singer/songwriter Taali has announced the new Were Most Of Your Stars Out? EP due out November 8 via Rainbow Blonde Records. It is an entirely acoustic collection of seven tracks filled with unparalleled honesty, expressive lyricism and vulnerable fragility featuring her creative partner R&B/jazz vocalist José James. Released today, the fearless, piano-led lead single “Los Angeles” is a Regina Spektor-esque ode to starting over in an unfamiliar place. Taali will be performing across the US with stops in New York City, Denver, and Los Angeles.
Born to a Jewish family in Washington Heights, New York, Taali grew up learning the values of community and creating her own reality. Taali founded Rainbow Blonde Records, a label and worldwide collective she runs with José James, and engineer and producer Brian Bender.
After years of vocal cord issues, which culminated with surgery and Taali unable to sing herself, she leaned harder into writing for others. She left her roots behind, and moved to LA in 2017 where she contributed seven songs to James’ album, Love In A Time Of Madness and wrote for/with Mad Decent hip-hop innovator Jarina De Marco and gospel performer Mali Music. She also joined a Jewish service called Nefesh, part of Los Angeles’ Wilshire Boulevard Temple.
Taali, like onetime New York resident and modern storyteller Leonard Cohen, successfully weaves Jewish culture, melody and harmony into the wider American pop landscape. Referencing history is inherent to Taali’s process. In making a triumphant return to NYC in 2019, Taali has both rediscovered her artistry and her Jewish culture. She is now preparing to debut her new self-produced EP. “L.A. is where the three elements came together,” Taali says, reflecting on her last two years. “My Judaism, my legitimate love for pop music–and New York harmony.”