Singer/songwriter and Broadway actress Tara Macri has accomplished a lot in life, but there's still plenty more dreams to chase — and that's the message behind her breezy 2022 release, "Waking Up in California."
In this episode of Press Play, Macri delivers a breezy performance of the song, drawing out its windows-down pop beat and breathy, ethereal vocal delivery. The visual aesthetics of the clip underscore the feeling of approaching a dream with stars in your eyes. She performs in front of a wall of twinkling lights, with her guitarist even playing a sparkly gem-studded instrument.
Released as a single in October 2022, "Waking Up in California" mirrors Macri's real-life journey through the pursuit of her dual passions in acting and music. The West Coast setting spotlights her Hollywood connection, and the official music video for the song even features her speeding along in a vintage Mustang convertible, a series of iconic L.A. landmarks in the background.
"This song fuels me in the fact that win or lose, we need to roll the top down on our doubts, put a little caution to the wind and go for our dreams," the singer says in a statement to Broadway World.
In addition to a fast-rising music career, Macri has a bustling stage and screen resume, too. She recently starred in the award-winning short film Outcry, and she has starred in many Broadway shows such as Hairspray. In addition to that, the award-winning actress was a voice actor in the Dreamworks animated film Kung Fu Panda: The Secrets of the Scroll.
Press play on the video above to watch Macri's infectious, hope-filled performance, and keep checking back to GRAMMY.com for more new episodes of Press Play.
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