Finding your true artistic home often requires a willingness to lean into your natural strengths while embracing the vulnerability of relying on others. When a songwriter stops trying to do everything alone and surrounds themselves with a supportive, creative community, their music unlocks a new level of freedom and joy. Toronto-based soul singer and storyteller Tara Van reaches that exact sweet spot on her infectious single, I’m A Vine, released on October 9, 2026. Stepping decisively into the vibrant world of classic soul and Motown traditions, the track marks a natural evolution in her artistic journey. It is a song where her voice sounds completely at home, brimming with playful energy, emotional depth, and a resilient, optimistic spirit that encourages listeners to keep growing no matter what obstacles block their path.
The production opens with an immediate, warm groove that transports the listener straight into the golden era of live rhythm and blues tracking. Deep, expressive basslines laid down by Toronto-born, Nashville-based bassist Alex St Kitts roll through the low end with a thick, tactile bounce that anchors the entire arrangement. Bright, punchy horn flourishes provided by acclaimed Toronto trumpet player Tom Moffatt add a triumphant, festive shine to the track, weaving around the rhythm section with effortless swagger. Producer and longtime collaborator Mark Calderone crafts a lush, multi-layered soundscape that feels both classic and refreshingly current. Drawing direct production inspiration from soul powerhouses like Sharon Jones and The Dap-Kings alongside contemporary acts like Sir Woman, the song strikes a perfect balance between vintage analog grit and crisp, modern clarity.
At the very heart of this joyful musical tapestry is Tara Van’s commanding vocal performance, which navigates the melody with remarkable warmth and expressive power. She sings with the conversational ease and infectious enthusiasm of a born storyteller, allowing her voice to glide across the syncopated beat with uninhibited joy. Bypassing cold studio perfectionism, her delivery celebrates the raw, human character of her tone, moving seamlessly from intimate, soulful verses into a soaring, wide-open chorus. Layered backing harmonies swell behind her lead lines like a wave, creating a rich wall of sound that invites the audience to sing along. It is a performance that highlights her adaptive nature, proving that her voice thrives best when surrounded by top-tier live musicians who push her to higher creative peaks.
Lyrically, the song presents a thoughtful, empowering meditation on self-reckoning, adaptability, and the vital importance of asking for help. Van examines her own tendencies toward flexibility and adventure, acknowledging how easy it is to fall into other people’s expectations when you are naturally easygoing. The text tackles the quiet frustration of trying to handle every aspect of life independently, admitting that real progress happens when we stop isolating ourselves and learn to lean on a community. Using the central metaphor of a vine growing around obstacles, the writing delivers an inspiring message of persistence and resilience. It encourages us to find a way up, over, or around whatever stands in our path, reminding us to keep reaching toward the light even when life tries to cut us back.
The story behind the recording adds an extra layer of nostalgic warmth to the release. The song was tracked at Apartment Sea Sound, a beloved now-defunct music community hub in east-end Toronto run by Calderone that operated as a recording studio, tattoo parlour, and intimate live venue all at once. That spirit of collaborative community lives on in every measure of the music. From St Kitts sending in his bass recordings from his home studio in Nashville to Moffatt tracking his horn parts in person while Van watched on, the production process was a true labor of love. Multiple mix sessions and a final remastering ensured that the track achieved a full, expansive sound that stands shoulder-to-shoulder with her strongest work.
Contextualizing I’m A Vine within Van’s broader career highlights an artist who has fully embraced her identity as a soul singer and narrative performer. By recognizing her own limits in complex music composition and leaning into her intuitive gifts for lyricism and melody, her partnership with Calderone has allowed her creative vision to flourish. Following the single’s release, Van celebrated the milestone with a special performance at Birdhaus on Queen Street West in Toronto, bringing her vibrant stage energy to an intimate, atmospheric venue that matched the unique character of her music.
Comparing this single to standard modern pop or contemporary R and B releases demonstrates how much life real horn arrangements and organic basslines can breathe into a recording. Where many contemporary tracks rely on quantized digital loops and sterile software presets, Van and her team prioritize live performance chemistry and warm acoustic spaces. The song possesses a rich, three-dimensional atmosphere that demands repeat listens, revealing subtle trumpet counter-melodies, bass fills, and vocal accents with every spin.
Naturally, listeners who seek dark, aggressive electronic beats or minimalist, acoustic folk ballads might find the track’s bright Motown bounce and celebratory horn sections upbeat in scope. The single makes no attempt to disguise its classic soul roots, leaning completely into joyful rhythms, expressive brass, and anthemic vocal hooks. Yet evaluating the release strictly on its own explicit terms reveals an impeccably produced piece of soul music that achieves every goal it sets for itself. It offers an instant physical rush, an unforgettable melody, and a deeply relatable message of personal growth.
Ultimately, the release succeeds because it turns the challenge of personal growth into a soaring, high-energy musical celebration. By pairing a classic Motown arrangement with a vocal performance overflowing with genuine warmth and heart, Tara Van has delivered one of her most compelling singles to date. The track stands as a radiant reminder that no matter how many times life tries to tame your spirit, staying true to your roots and reaching for the light will always pull you through. Listeners ready to turn up the volume and embrace an authentic soul journey will find this single to be an essential, deeply uplifting soundtrack.
