Tara Priya studied economics at Columbia University in New York, but it was her minor in jazz and training in classical singing that steered her post-college career. After graduating from Columbia early, Priya moved to Los Angeles with the aim of kickstarting a music career. She began by singing hooks on rap demos, trading her vocals for recording time in underground hip-hop studios. It paid off, and after releasing a Motown-themed EP she gained recognition from The Deli Magazine as one of its 'Best Emerging Artists', was a finalist in the pop category of the John Lennon Songwriting Contest and got a category win in the Billboard Song Contest. Priya was picked up by Japanese indie label P-Vine Records and her debut single 'Run Like Hell' made it to number 25 on the Billboard Japan Hot 100. Two Japanese tours followed and Priya piggybacked her success in that market to a showcase at SXSW 2013. From there Priya moved to London to work on her 2014 album, 'Shot in the Dark', with producer Steve Booker. There, Priya began building a reputation for herself on the UK music scene and was soon garnering acclaim from the likes of Jamie Cullum, BBC Radio 6 Music's Tom Robinson and The Independent.