Rob Garza Hands the Reigns to Tara Brooks for Deep House Re-Rub

Electronic music trailblazer Rob Garza hands the reigns to Tara Brooks for the next re-rub from his Daydream Accelerator album. And Brooks triumphs with a deep house remix of Can’t Kill Me that’s as funky as it is sensuous.

“I met Tara some years back at a festival and really dug her sound,” says Garza, who is one-half of Thievery Corporation. “Over the years we’ve crossed paths many times and have become great friends. I really admire her musical sensibilities and creativity.”

Tara takes a less-is-more approach to GARZA’s Can’t Kill Me, slowing the tempo of the synth-pop original and making the bass more supple and languid. Gorgeous pads soften the backdrop as gentle drum breaks tumble down below. While Tara’s mix is more spatial, she still injects plenty of SoCal heat. The result is a heart-warming deep house track as equally suited to magical twilight sessions as it is to intimate late night hours. Whenever you hear it, though, Calica’s aching vocals from the original still soar in the expansive skies above the groove.

“As someone who rarely uses pop or indie vocals, I was inspired to push my boundaries in new directions,” says Tara, reflecting on her remix. “The original version is unique, uplifting and emotional. My touch gives it some sexy strings, deep warm bass, light breakbeats and a splash of acid. It means the world to remix Rob Garza,” adds Tara. “I’ve always been a huge fan of Thievery Corporation and any new musical projects Rob touches are always gold.”

Tasteful

An LA native and central figure in the Desert Hearts family, DJ and producer Tara Brooks is making her mark on the electronic music scene in the US and beyond. Initially, Tara’s DJ skills took her from her home town to some of America’s most tasteful clubs and festivals. Having made her mark everywhere from the famous Burning Man playa to Space in Miami, she’s also played across Europe in hotspots like Berlin’s Watergate. These days, her productions are winning her just as much attention as her DJ sets, as Tara continues to draw inspiration from industry peers like Garza and Thievery Corporation.

“Every time I see Thievery live I’m amazed,” says Tara. “Not only by their creation of fusing reggae, acid jazz and trip-hop to electronica, but how they’re all so in sync with each other. Being on the same wavelength creates magical vibrations and that’s electric. This community and support for each other has pushed me to collaborate and get outside my own comfort zone, and that’s when the real growth happens.”

Remolded

While his storied career with Thievery Corporation continues, Rob’s GARZA project is where nostalgia and the avant-garde meet. Teaming up with a diverse pool of up-and-coming young artists, his love of ’80s electronic music and indie synth-pop was remolded into last year’s Daydream Accelerator album. Released on his Magnetic Moon label, the multi-genre opus blurred the lines between rock and electronic, married pop sensibilities to techno beats, flirted with dancehall and toyed with new wave.

Out now on Magnetic Moon, Tara Brooks’ remix of Can’t Kill Me is the second track from the album given a dancefloor polish. It follows on from Rob’s own G’s Dust Up Mix of Summer is Ours, released in June.

Main photo: Domznuts

Also read: Thievery Corporation’s Rob Garza Delivers Loved-Up Summer Magic