Tara Lily & King Krule

Biography

Tara Lily is a British-Bengali musician from Peckham, South London, whose upbringing in a multicultural environment profoundly shaped her musical identity. Immersed in a diverse array of genres from an early age—including jazz, R&B, electronica, and traditional Bengali folk—she honed her craft at the Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music, studying jazz piano and voice, and also delved into Indian classical music[2][5]. Her debut album, 'Speak In The Dark,' released in 2024, is a deeply personal exploration of emotional highs and lows, influenced by her experiences with ADHD and her journeys through Asia, blending jazz, electronica, trip-hop, and South Asian soundscapes[2].

Lily's career has been marked by a series of acclaimed EPs, including 'Last Flight Out' and 'Lost in London,' and she became the first British artist signed to Motown Records UK[6][2]. Her collaborations span a wide range of artists, notably working with King Krule on the 2025 EP 'Quiet Nights (Early Takes)' and the single 'Tropical Storm,' which showcases a moody, cinematic style that merges both artists' jazz-inspired sensibilities[1][3]. Lily's live performances are celebrated for their atmospheric intimacy, and she has supported major acts like RAYE and Dhruv, while also making appearances at festivals such as Glastonbury and We Out Here[2].

Her legacy is defined by her fearless genre-blending and her ability to channel personal and cultural narratives into her music. Tara Lily stands out as a formidable talent in the UK R&B and jazz scenes, with her work resonating for its emotional depth, innovative production, and celebration of her British-Bengali heritage[2][6].

Fun Facts

• Tara Lily was the first British artist signed to Motown Records UK[6][2].
• She was diagnosed with ADHD at age 15 after being expelled from school, a theme that deeply informs her songwriting[2].
• Her music videos often feature strong visual storytelling, merging elements of nature, darkness, and surrealism to reflect her unique sonic fusion[2].
• She has performed at iconic venues such as the Royal Albert Hall and major festivals like Glastonbury[2].

Musical Connections

Mentors/Influences

• Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music - Formal jazz piano and voice training (Jazz studies, early compositions) [2010s]

Key Collaborators

• King Krule - Co-writer, producer, and performer on collaborative tracks ('Tropical Storm', 'Quiet Nights (Early Takes)' EP) [2024–2025]
• Theo Croker - Guest jazz trumpeter on album track ('6 Feet Down' from 'Speak In The Dark') [2024]
• Surya Sen - Lyricist and collaborator ('Speak In The Dark' album) [2024]
• Dom Valentino - Producer ('Speak In The Dark' album) [2024]

Artists Influenced

• Emerging British-Asian jazz and R&B artists - Cited as an inspiration for blending South Asian and Western genres (Various, as referenced in interviews and press) [2020s]

Discography

Albums

Top Tracks

1. 6 Feet Down (Speak In The Dark)
2. 6 Feet Down (Speak In The Dark)
3. Speak In The Dark (Speak In The Dark)
4. Don’t Explain (Last Flight Out)
5. South Bombay (Speak In The Dark)
6. Speak In The Dark (Speak In The Dark)
7. Like The Ocean (Speak In The Dark)
8. No Way Out (Speak In The Dark)
9. 6 Feet Down (6 Feet Down)
10. No Way Out (Speak In The Dark)

External Links

• Spotify