Meet Leanne Tarrab | Singer-Songwriter & Actress

We had the good fortune of connecting with Leanne Tarrab and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Leanne, we’d love to hear about how you approach risk and risk-taking.
Since high school, my motto has been “you need to step outside of your comfort zone to make it bigger.” That’s something I’ve constantly preached to my friends. I think the quote has really stuck with me because I’ve had anxiety for my entire life, but I have also always had the desire to be fearless, as I know that’s the only way I’ll achieve my goals. I think I’ve had a lot of missed opportunities due to fear. I’d say most of them have been small, but when you look at them in hindsight they add up and can really take a toll on you, especially if you’re an over-thinker, which I am. While I’ll admit that I don’t always follow my own advice, that quote is definitely one that has a permanent place in the back of my mind, and it’s the primary sentiment that motivates me to do things even if they seem scary at first. In that regard, I think risk is crucial, especially in unpredictable, scary, and/or unconventional career paths. Risks are necessary; they’re like stepping stones. I faced this first and foremost in high school when I felt less and less nervous with each singing performance, later on in my acting journey when I felt less and less nervous with each shoot, and now as I’m booking gigs as a solo artist. My very first live show singing my original songs I was so terrified I got sick and threw up eight times before. I am pleased to say that leading up to my last gig, just three shows later, I did not throw up at all. My anxiety was significantly reduced compared to my first show. I think risks not only help you career-wise but also really help you if you have issues with anxiety. They expand your comfort zone so that you can do more things with less discomfort. For instance, the evening after my very first film shoot, I went to the grocery store by myself for the first time. I was 19 years old, mind you, so it was a big deal for me. I had always been too scared to do that, but after a full day with the cameras on me and tons of people watching me act, I wasn’t too anxious to go buy myself some dinner! That was actually a big validating moment for me — I felt even more sure that I was meant to perform, and that performing significantly improves my quality of life. It makes the world seem less daunting. I am more determined than ever to keep my anxiety at bay so I can keep doing what I love without burning out, and the more risks I take, the less fear I have.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
I am a singer-songwriter and music producer. While I’ve been writing songs and using apps like GarageBand since middle school, I’d say I officially started producing music back in 2021, when I was still in college. That’s when I started producing with the intention of releasing. I’ve self-produced all of my music so far, including all of the songs on my debut album “Stuck at the Playground.” I’ve been using Logic Pro on my MacBook Pro and recording my vocals in my sister’s bedroom. It’s honestly been an incredibly difficult and lengthy process, as I am entirely self-taught, but I’m also the biggest perfectionist. So, at the same that I’ve been learning the ropes, I’ve also been desperately (and unrealistically) yearning for perfection. That’s certainly not the best combo! Perfectionism has been my biggest obstacle, and it’s made it hard for me to appreciate the beauty of my music, as I often can’t overhear certain small things that bother me. I’ve had to really learn how to let go, trust the process, acknowledge my growth, and be proud of my achievements no matter how small. It’s still difficult for me mentally. I often get insecure about my music or my lyrics, but I keep myself afloat by telling myself that as long as I’m trying my best, challenging myself, and putting myself out there, I am succeeding and most importantly growing not only as an artist but also as a person. As I’ve released more and more music, failure doesn’t scare me as much– I know that I always come out stronger than before. In fact, as long as I am in a good mindset and having a good day, I see failure as great motivation to do better!

I’ve a hard time explaining my style of music. For a while I thought that that was a bad thing and that it meant I haven’t done my research or been exposed to enough genres, but now I’ve chosen to see it as a good sign. A good amount of the songs on my debut album are the exact style I want them to be, and I feel like they’re one of a kind. I’d say my style is not like any other single artist but more like a mix of different artists across numerous genres such as Labrinth, The Strokes, The Voidz, Taylor Swift, Billie Eilish, Ingrid Michaelson, Madison Beer, Phoebe Bridgers, Regina Spektor, Sara Bareilles, Edith Piaf, and many more. In general, I’d say it’s a mix between gritty electronic abstract music and powerhouse vocal (almost ballad-y) music, with additional elements of singer-songwriter, pop, musical theater, and alternative. I’ve tried to turn my difficulty explaining my style into a useful marketing technique. I tell people “if you wanna know what my music sounds like, you gotta listen to it!”

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
My perfect day out on the town would probably start in the valley! Since it’s almost always hot throughout most of Southern California, I find it’s best to get walks done in the morning, and the valley’s hills create for a more challenging workout. Plus I love the nostalgia of the suburbs — makes me reminisce and also inspires me creatively. After an energizing walk, I would head to Santa Monica for an egg sandwich at Modern Bread & Bagel. I have celiac disease, and everything there is 100% gluten free! Then, I’d love to walk around Third Street Promenade, go into some stores, maybe grab a coffee at Espresso Cielo or Blue Bottle Coffee, and eventually I’d like to land at the beach. Ideally, I’d relax by the water and soak up the sun for about two hours. Then for lunch I’d love to go to either Cafe Vida in Culver City for my favorite barbecue chicken salad or True Food Kitchen for a delicious burger (they take dietary restrictions and allergies seriously)! Then, I’d love to head a bit more inland and drive through West Hollywood or Beverly Hills and look at all the big fancy houses. Whenever I’m in that area I put on Edith Piaf or Charles Aznavour and I like to pretend I’m in France or Italy, especially if I’m driving through the windy parts of Beverly Glen, Laurel Canyon, or Goldwater Canyon. I’ve always been in love with the big trees around there and the crazy cool and unique architecture. Then I’d love to go to the Amoeba Music record store in Hollywood. My friends and I love to go and check out their vinyls and posters. Then I’d love to stop in Los Feliz, one of my favorite places in LA, and walk around for about an hour and admire all of the houses. For dinner, I’d go back to Santa Monica and get steak tacos at Blue Plate Taco (and maybe a frozen espresso martini!) On our way out of Santa Monica, I’d want to stop at Fonuts, a 100% gluten free donut place. I’d probably save my donut for the next morning. I’d love to catch a movie in the theater, so if there’s a good one out, I’d go then. All of my best days involve gelato, so I would recommend we go back to the valley and grab some gelato from my favorite dessert place Tifa Gelato. There’s nothing I love more than their dark chocolate gelato. That’s my ultimate dessert. Nothing beats watching the sunset, so if we haven’t missed it yet, I would recommend we go to an elevated park or the closest shore to get a good view of it. Nothing like a gorgeous sunset! The way the soft warm light fades always calms me. I love to listen to Edith Piaf, Frank Sinatra, Charles Aznavour, or Nat King Cole while the sun is setting. It makes me feel like I’m in a movie and also makes me feel closer to my late grandparents who adored those artists and whose presence I feel most when the sun is on my skin. After the sunset, I’d go back home, maybe watch a comfort show/movie, and do some journalling before hitting the hay.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I would like to shout out my best friends, my sister, my parents, and my grandparents. They have supported me in countless ways, whether that be giving me creative feedback, coming to my live shows, sharing my music, helping me with marketing, helping me with photos, soothing my worries, encouraging me to take on challenges, affirming my big dreams, and always being there for me. I would be nowhere and nobody without my loved ones. They are behind everything I do, and they deserve the world. One of my biggest motivations if not my absolute biggest motivation to succeed is so I can share my success with them — I often daydream about it. A victory means nothing to me if I can’t celebrate it with them.

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/leannie/

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@leannie/videos

Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@breadfly

Image Credits
Emily Entz
Ava Ghasiri