Danielle McTaggart Embarks on Solo Journey with Atmospheric Larkk Project
Known as the dynamic frontperson for the Juno Award-winning Fraser Valley duo Dear Rouge, Danielle McTaggart is charting a new musical course with her solo alter ego Larkk. This week marks the release of Larkk's debut album, Cinders, featuring ten atmospheric and poetic tunes that represent a significant departure from her high-energy rock roots.
A Meditative and Curative Musical Direction
Larkk's music could be described as both meditative and curative, a characterization McTaggart confirms is accurate. The project emerged from a tumultuous period of deep personal grief that coincided with the pandemic shutdown of Dear Rouge's busy schedule. "I did not know how to address what was going on inside emotionally any other way than through music," McTaggart explained.
The songs began taking shape in 2021 at her home piano, a Yamaha upright with soft pedals that transported her to another creative world. Initially, there was no plan to release the material publicly; the music served primarily as a therapeutic outlet for working through life challenges through chord changes and melodies.
Collaborative Creation Process
McTaggart's creative process took an unexpected turn when she reached out to American poet and comic Derrick C. Brown through social media. A fan of Brown's book The Year of the Butterfly Knife, McTaggart proposed a collaboration that proved remarkably fruitful. Much of Cinders represents a creative partnership between the two artists.
"We ended up writing a lot of the songs together, taking the pieces of music that had existed in my world for a while, to craft some songs and lyrics together," McTaggart said. "It became what Larkk is and when Dear Rouge producer Thomas D'Arcy heard it, he invited me to Toronto so we could record the material."
From Personal Healing to Public Release
The project has been developing over four to five years, waiting for what McTaggart describes as "the right time to release it." That time arrived as McTaggart experienced significant personal transformations, including welcoming baby Eliott with husband and Dear Rouge co-founder Drew after publicly discussed infertility challenges.
Cinders stands as a document of McTaggart's journey toward emotional healing and creative fulfillment. The album's earlier singles—Caverns, Devastation's Bliss, and First Kiss—were captured in stark black-and-white live performances featuring just McTaggart's vocals and piano playing, creating fragile compositions full of intentional quiet spaces.
Balancing Multiple Musical Projects
While embracing her new identity as Larkk, McTaggart continues her work with Dear Rouge, with a new album in development following their well-received 2024 release Lonesome High. The Larkk project has already demonstrated significant audience appeal, with several sold-out shows and additional dates being announced.
McTaggart envisions performing as Larkk for many years to come, suggesting this atmospheric, introspective musical direction represents more than just a temporary departure from her established sound. The project demonstrates how personal challenges can transform into creative opportunities, resulting in music that offers both personal catharsis for the artist and meditative experiences for listeners.
