The Chicago indie songwriter explores the concept of renewal through collaborative craft on her fourth record.
For many emerging artists in the Chicago music scene, there comes a pivotal moment defined by a single question: should I stay or should I go? For the indie singer-songwriter Tasha Viets-VanLear, who performs under the mononym Tasha, the decision to remain rooted in her home city has become a defining element of her creative identity. This week, Tasha released her fourth studio album, 'You Are Spring!', a project that serves as a sonic exploration of renewal and the cyclical nature of growth.
The album represents a deepening of Tasha’s collaborative process, moving beyond the solitary confines of bedroom pop into a more expansive, communal sound. To bring the vision of 'You Are Spring!' to life, she leaned into her creative network, featuring contributions from experimental artist L’Rain and fellow Chicago mainstay Jamila Woods. These collaborations highlight a specific ethos in Tasha's work: the idea that independent music thrives best when it is supported by a local ecosystem of peers rather than the traditional industry hubs of Los Angeles or New York.
Her process for this record involved navigating the unique circumstances of her career trajectory, ultimately deciding that there was 'more for me to explore' within the context of her existing community. By choosing to stay, Tasha has managed to cultivate a sound that feels both intimate and sophisticated, blending her signature soft-hued vocals with the intricate arrangements provided by her collaborators. The release marks a significant milestone for the artist, proving that independent makers can achieve high-level production and critical reach while maintaining the integrity of their local roots.
Tasha’s success demonstrates that independent artists do not need to migrate to major coastal hubs to produce world-class collaborative work. It serves as a blueprint for creatives looking to build sustainable careers by investing in their local artistic communities.
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