Daily Inspiration: Meet Tarciana Oliveira

Today we’d like to introduce you to Tarciana Oliveira.

Hi Tarciana, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
Tarciana Oliveira (aka Tarci Music): My Journey in Music, Purpose, and Passion

Part 1 – The Early Spark

I’m originally from Brazil, and I came to Los Angeles to study and work, but music has always been my true passion. I grew up in a very artistic family. My mom sang and took me to choir with her when I was young, and I joined a rock cover band as a teen. That experience shaped so much of who I am today.

Since I was little, music was always part of me. I used to dream of being a singer and guitarist in a rock band. I was deeply inspired by bands like U2 and Coldplay, especially in their early, more alternative/indie phases. Albums like A Rush of Blood to the Head and Joshua Tree really moved me. I remember being very young and having goosebumps listening to songs like With or Without You and The Scientist.

When U2 came to Brazil, I slept overnight in line with a friend to get tickets. We were the first ones in line, and MTV Brazil even interviewed me! After that, my schoolmates saw me on TV. I went to both shows. The second night, I tried to catch Bono’s attention during With or Without You. I knew he picked a girl from the crowd while singing With or Without You from the night before so I was on someone’s shoulders, screaming, and I could see Bono looking into the crowd. But the guy holding me got tired, and as I was being lowered, Bono opened his eyes and pointed to someone else right next to me. It broke my heart, but it also fueled something in me. I never forgot that and I still dream of the day that I meet Bono in person.

Another amazing show was seeing Coldplay during A Rush of Blood to the Head tour. I was so young and went by myself. It still gives me goosebumps thinking about it. Seeing Chris Martin play The Scientist on the piano – it felt like a surreal dream.

Part 2 – Music All Around Me

Music filled my life. My whole family listened to it loudly. My mom was into ABBA, Bee Gees, and The Beatles. My dad loved A-ha, Duran Duran, Tracy Chapman’s Fast Car. Road trips to the countryside were always full of music, and every song became tied to a memory.

One time when I was visiting my cousin in Franca, São Paulo, he introduced me to Alphaville, Depeche Mode, Echo and the Bunnyman. I got hooked instantly. He was older, and I admired his taste. Alphaville became part of my musical DNA.

Part 3 – My First Concert Moments

In Brazil, there weren’t age restrictions for concerts, so I started young. One summer, I rushed back from a vacation just to go to a festival and see The Cure, The Smashing Pumpkins, The Black Crowes, and Supergrass.

My parents were worried, but I begged my middle brother to drive me. He was shocked by the crowd size and almost didn’t let me go in. But I jumped out of the car before he could change his mind.

I didn’t know where to find my friends. I had no idea which side of the stadium they’d be on. I just followed my instinct and walked up the stairs. As I reached the top, I heard someone yell, “Tarci! Tarci!”

I started crying right there. Not just one, but two different friend groups found me. In that massive crowd, I ended up exactly where I needed to be. That moment felt magical – like energy, music, and fate brought us together.

Part 4 – A Goodbye That Changed Everything

I went through every musical phase growing up — Ramones, Nirvana, Goth, The Sisters of Mercy, New Order, Depeche Mode, 90s Electronic were the best — you name it. Music was the pulse of everything I did.

But then life happened. My parents divorced. I had to work, go to college, survive. Music faded into the background. It was still there, but not in focus.

Then I had a breakup. I had studied English since I was 10 but never traveled or used it fluently. That breakup pushed me. I left everything behind and moved to the U.S. to start a new life.

Leaving Brazil was emotional. My mom, my dad, my niece, and her friend came to the airport. My dad filmed our goodbye. My niece was only six. She passed away this year.

I hadn’t watched that video in years. But after she died, I found it again. Seeing her small, bright face and myself crying – it broke me. That video means everything to me now. I go back to it often. It reminds me of love, presence, and why I’m here.

I haven’t had many big losses in life. But losing my niece was the most painful.

Part 5 – The Leap into Music

After moving to LA, I was working and studying. I was in a full-time career program, and halfway through, I had a moment. I stood up in class and told my friend Ashley, “I’m going to be a DJ. I can’t do this anymore.”

She laughed, “You’re joking.”

“No, I’m serious.”

She said, “You’ll come back.”

I didn’t. I walked out and signed up for DJ school that same day.

Later, Ashley told me the class was confused. Everyone asked about me. Even the teacher was concerned. But I was gone – off chasing a dream.

Years later, Ashley and I reconnected in Miami during the EDM Awards. She had moved there, and we met up again. I brought her as my guest. She turned to me and said, “Tarci, I still remember that day in class. I thought you were crazy. But you really did it.”

I never stayed in touch with anyone else from that class. Ashley said they all kept asking about me – I became the mystery girl who just disappeared. But honestly, I had already outgrown that path.

At the EDM Awards, I got personally invited and met some of the biggest DJs I’ve looked up to for years — Armin Van Buuren, Kaskade, Deadmau5, Cedric Gervais, Hayla, Joel Corry, even Alok, the Brazilian DJ. This year was my second attending, and I plan to go every year. Same with the Sphere in Vegas — since they opened, I made it my tradition to go at least once a year.

Part 6 – Immersed in My Craft

DJ school was intense. Five days a week for six months – two days of class, three days of practice. I didn’t miss one day. On the days I didn’t go to school, I practiced at home, six hours a day.

I learned DJing, music theory, Ableton, and production. I lived and breathed music. It felt like I was finally doing what I was meant to do. Like it was flowing through me.

I quit jobs that didn’t fulfill me. I left behind the life I didn’t love. I didn’t expect much. I just followed my heart.

After school, gigs started coming. One at first. Then more. And people started inviting me back. Some of those venues still book me today. Most people thought I had been doing this for years. But I had just worked hard and learned fast.

Part 7 – The Hard Part: Lessons and Strength

Producing music was tough. Ableton is hard. And not many people want to help, especially in LA. It’s a male-dominated scene, and being a girl made it harder.

Some friends helped, but others had different interests. Eventually, I learned to be selective. I kept only the ones who truly supported me with no strings attached.

Now I’m more self-sufficient. I’ve done a lot — some music by myself, some with amazing collaborators. I’ve even worked with top producers. Some people question if I’m really doing it all. But I am. I don’t need to justify anything. The results speak for themselves.

Yes, I’ve been through heartbreaks. Mixing romance and music is tricky. People say they want to help, but they’re not always being honest. It can distract you. But after every setback, I’ve come back stronger – like when I moved to the U.S. after a breakup. Pain pushed me to refocus.

Now, I’m a quarterfinalist in America’s Next Top Hitmaker. And I already feel like I’ve won.

Part 8 – The Bigger Picture

The competition is supported by Colossal Impact and Global Citizen Festival. Every vote helps fight poverty around the world. People can vote for free or donate. Being part of this makes me feel proud.

If I win, I promise to give back. I love animals. I want to support rescues and host shows that raise money for homeless cats and dogs in LA. My cat, Nino, has been with me through everything. He’s my little witness, always by my side when I make music. I miss my black cat Onyx who ran away when he was 8 months old I thought he would come back but he never did. I did everything to try to find him but I couldn’t. Hopefully he found a new family and is safe and loved somewhere.

Part 9 – The Vision

When I finished DJ school, I didn’t know where it would lead. I just trusted that the work would speak for itself.

My dream is to tour, play for big crowds, and create immersive shows that mix music and visuals. When I saw U2 open the Sphere in Vegas, I couldn’t believe it. Years ago I saw them in Brazil, and now I’m in Vegas seeing them open one of the biggest venues ever. Then I saw Anima DJ there — what an experience. Coldplay might be the next one to play there — maybe I just had a premonition.

That’s where I see myself — big stages, creating unforgettable moments.

Final Note – My Sound, My Projects, and a Little CTA

I make Electronic Music and remixes blending my Brazilian roots — Electronic Brazilian funk, Synthwave, Electronic pop — with House, Deep House, and Progressive. Sometimes I blend everything, or explore different styles and go through different phases.

I’m on all major music platforms and YouTube. My first video was Star Girl, a mix of electronic and synthwave pop. My second video, Shine Bright, was inspired by A-ha’s Take On Me. I made a cartoon version of myself, and my cat is in it too — he’s the star of the video.

My latest music video is Endless Dream, showing parts of LA from the beach to LACMA to the Car Museum. I made it with my videographer Patrick. It was such a fun day — except at the end, when my car was broken into. Patrick had left his backpack and gear in the trunk. We think someone was watching. But thankfully, the video footage was safe. And the video turned out amazing.

Go check it out! I’m based in Santa Monica and play regularly at The Chestnut Club one or two Saturdays a month. Follow me on Instagram or call The Chestnut Club to find out when I’m playing next — and come see me!

I’m also available for private events — whether it’s a birthday party, wedding, corporate event, holiday celebration, or any special occasion, I can bring the perfect soundtrack to elevate the vibe. I tailor each set to fit the mood and crowd, blending high-energy electronic music, remixes, and feel-good beats that keep people dancing. If you’re looking to create a memorable experience with great music and a fun atmosphere, feel free to reach out!

Also — currently participating in America’s Next Top Hitmaker, a national competition for rising music artists. You can vote for free, or if you’d like to go the extra mile, you can donate votes, which go toward an incredible cause: Colossal Impact and Global Citizen, supporting the fight against poverty in America and around the world. Donations are tax-deductible, and every vote — free or donated — makes a difference.

👉 https://tophitmaker.org/2025/tarci

Thank you for supporting independent artists like me, for reading and supporting my music. Every listen, share, and vote helps me keep pushing forward. 💫

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Definitely not a smooth road – but I think that’s what makes the journey meaningful. When I decided to walk away from a stable career path and dive headfirst into music, I had no roadmap. I was learning everything from scratch – DJing, producing, music theory, sound design – and I committed to it full-time.

One of the hardest parts was feeling alone in the process. Music production, especially on Ableton, is complex and not many people are willing to help — especially in a competitive and male-dominated industry like the one here in LA. As a woman, I had to deal with situations where people said they were helping, but had other motives. That was disappointing and distracting at times, and I had to learn to set boundaries and find the right people who respected my vision.

There were also emotional struggles. I’ve gone through heartbreaks and personal losses that pushed me off track, but I always found strength in those moments. I’ve learned that setbacks can lead to powerful comebacks. Music has been a healing force for me. It’s the one thing that never abandoned me, even when people or situations did.

I’ve also faced doubts from others — and even sometimes from myself. People question how I’ve done so much, as if it’s too good to be true. But the truth is, I’ve worked really hard. Whether I’m producing on my own or collaborating, I’m involved in every step of the process. I had to learn how to be self-sufficient.

Despite all the challenges, I’ve built something real. And I’m proud of it. I wouldn’t trade the road I’ve taken for anything.

Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I’m a DJ, music producer, singer, and performer. I create and release electronic music, blending house, deep house, progressive, synthwave, and my Brazilian roots – like Brazilian funk and samba elements. My style is a reflection of all the phases I’ve gone through in life, and I’m constantly evolving. I also create music videos to bring the full experience to life visually, not just sonically.

I DJ regularly at The Chestnut Club in Santa Monica and have been invited to perform in Dallas, Miami, New York, and other cities. I also perform at private events – birthdays, weddings, corporate parties – and bring high energy and curated sets tailored for each event.

What I’m most proud of is how far I’ve come doing it all pretty much independently. I’m self-taught in many areas. When I want to learn something, I go all in — I’ve spent sleepless nights focused on production, songwriting, or visual creation. I don’t wait for opportunities; I create them.

Resilience is a big part of who I am. No matter the challenges — personal, emotional, or industry-related — I always push through and come back stronger. If I reach a certain level, I’m already looking at the next one. I’m deeply motivated and driven to keep evolving and elevating what I do.

What sets me apart is not just my sound, but my vision and work ethic. I care about quality and experience, not shortcuts. I blend authenticity, culture, and emotion into every performance and every track I release.

I’m also very aware of the importance of my environment. I surround myself with people who uplift and fuel my passion — not drain it. That’s how I’ve managed to grow in such a competitive and sometimes challenging scene.

And most of all, I do this because I love it. Music is my purpose and my way of connecting with the world.

Do you have any advice for those just starting out?
My biggest advice is: don’t wait until everything is “perfect” to begin. Start where you are, with what you have. The path will unfold as you go. You don’t need permission — just take the first step and keep moving.

Also, protect your energy. Not everyone will understand your dream, and not everyone who offers to help has the right intentions. Surround yourself with people who truly support you and celebrate your growth, not those who secretly compete or discourage you.

I wish someone had told me earlier that your journey is your own. You don’t have to follow what others are doing or compare your timeline to theirs. What works for one person may not be right for you. Learn everything you can, stay humble, but trust your vision and intuition above all.

Another thing: don’t underestimate how long things take. Be patient, but consistent. And enjoy the process. There’s magic in the beginning stages, even when things are messy or uncertain.

And finally — don’t lose the joy. Remember why you started. Keep that fire alive, and it’ll guide you through the highs and lows.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://tophitmaker.org/2025/tarci
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tarci_music/profilecard/?igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61575335524721&mibextid=ZbWKwL
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@tarcimusic
• Soundcloud: https://on.soundcloud.com/FpKs2KrUBLYvKqgHO9
• Other: https://open.spotify.com/artist/1nYoDA4W5Lxj58nTNL54iS?si=jatRBBLqRsKVAh9OXlFWCA

Image Credits
Patrick Holmes