There’s a point where another romantic let-down deserves a laugh. Tara Laurel Joy has made a song out of it.
Her new single, “Why Do I Bother with Boys?”, follows the awkward business of crushes, being overlooked and wondering what on earth you were thinking. Out now through RTC Records, it takes those familiar frustrations from the school years into adulthood, with a cheeky country-pop approach and a little something held back for the ending.
Co-written with Jane Kerr, it gives Tara room to draw on something she knows well: telling a story with personality.
“I wanted this song to feel fun because sometimes you just have to laugh at the things you go through.”
Tara Laurel Joy
Tara says the song follows that feeling through different stages of growing up, and hints there is more to the story than the title suggests. We’ll leave that part for her to tell.
From “The Monaro” to a different kind of country story
Tara’s previous single, The Monaro, took its name from the car and reached No. 8 on the Tasmanian & Oz CMR Charts, with national airplay including ABC Country Radio. “Why Do I Bother with Boys?” gives listeners another side of her songwriting, this time finding humour in the frustrations of romance.
Originally from Queensland and now based in regional Victoria, Tara has spent more than a decade performing professionally across Australia. Her appearances have included the Tamworth Country Music Festival, Deni Ute Muster and the Australian Open’s Kids Day, alongside touring across five states.
She also stepped away from her solo music career for a time to focus on motherhood. Returning to songwriting and recording brought a different perspective on life, creativity and what she wanted to say. This release finds room for the funny side of growing up and looking back.
A storyteller with a few different stages
Some families may know Tara through a very different show. She is the co-creator, performer and scriptwriter of The Dino Maniacs – Dinosaur Show, the nationally touring children’s production recognised as Best Kids’ Live Show in Australia at the 2024 What’s On 4 Kids Awards.
Add acting training at Film and Television Studio International to that mix, and there’s a substantial performing background behind the name. Writing for a stage, holding a young audience’s attention and telling a story in a song all give her different ways to put character into her work.
The people behind the single
Steve Vertigan produced “Why Do I Bother with Boys?” and played flute on the recording. The line-up also features Jason Vorherr on bass and backing vocals, Lisa Forde on backing vocals, Simon Hosford on guitar and Peter Maslen on drums.
The writing credit belongs to Tara Laurel Joy and Jane Kerr. Together, they’ve taken a question plenty of people will recognise and used it as the starting point for a story with a sense of humour.
Listen to “Why Do I Bother with Boys?”
Put the kettle on, give Tara a few minutes, and stay for the ending she’s promised.
Listen on Spotify · Find the single on your preferred platform
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