Tara Van – “I’m A Vine”: A Reminder to Keep Reaching for the Light

Sometimes all you need is that stubborn attitude to keep going even if it breaks you. If you keep failing and your next option is to give up then you ain’t made to cut. When life goes up, find a way down, when it goes side way, find a way around it, be like a household plant that gets zero sunlight but it’s always thriving and surviving in its harshest conditions. Toronto singer-songwriter Tara Van captures that resilient energy with her vibrant soul single, “I’m A Vine“.

This is a track that asks you to never give up even in your most downhill moments. The idea behind this track is to celebrate self-reckoning, adaptability, and the quiet power of leaning on community instead of carrying everything alone. And this is life, I always say, we can’t do life alone and sometimes be a vine, just like the song says, find ways to adapt, don’t be static just because plan A failed, up your game, double down your hustle and be determined to never back down. We need people and people needs us, sometimes even the lone wolf needs it pack! Sometimes we don’t realize it, but someone somewhere in the community is looking up to us, and we are probably their only motivation, so if you don’t keep going or give up, what do you want them to do?

To some we are the fathers or mothers they never had, so don’t stop being you, keep being you and keep believing in you! It’s a song that says when obstacles try to cut you back, channel the spirit of a vine by finding a way around, up, or over, and never stop looking for the sunshine. The light is your source to thriving, so with the little energy you get, spread out your wings, branches and reach for it. Your dreams are always in front of you, but it’s your determination that will help you reach it.

I like how Tara Van crafts her music, it’s like walking into an open, welcoming community hub where friends gather to share stories, instruments, and raw emotion. The track which was recorded at the late, beloved Toronto creative space Apartment Sea Sound, brings together brilliant collaborators, including Nashville-based bassist Alex St Kitts and local trumpet player Tom Moffatt, whose contributions pull Van straight into her favorite Motown and neo-soul traditions. The track is really infectious, those trumpets never go away, though they are subtle and rings in the background, at a point they are allowed to create a beautiful interlude with the other instruments, allowing the listener to enjoy that moment of reflection.

The grooves are warm, you get a rich bouncing bassline laying down a sturdy pocket right from the start, while crisp drums and bright, punchy horn stabs give the arrangement a vintage Stax-records sheen. The energy here is a bit playful and upbeat, allowing Van’s soulful, dynamic vocals to take carry the track without feeling overcrowded. It feels like a live band with how each instrument is allowed to shine, creating an atmosphere where you wanna have fun, dance a bit and have a lovely time with your friends and people around.

And I like how the tempo moves like the growth of a vine, it’s a well crafted masterpiece. And all that I can say is, “I’m A Vine” deserves a listen from you, it brings a massive dose of feel-good soul and genuine emotional honesty to your speakers. It offers top-tier instrumentation, a catchy groove, and an uplifting theme that will brighten up even your cloudiest days. So go ahead, stream “I’m A Vine” and keep reaching for the light even in your darkest days!

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