What is your name?
My Name is Taylor-Louise (Sometimes confuses people; it’s just like a double barrelled last name, but a first name)
What is your genre of music?
It’s hard for me to pin-point a genre on a whole as I like to approach each song by building up on the emotion of it’s lyrical content. This means each of my songs have a slight difference of feel, however, I’d definitely say there is a general alternative-pop feel to my tracks as a collective. I think it’s refreshing to almost sprinkle elements or hint other genres into the mixes – as I’m a fan of most music – and it brings something quite unique to the table! My voice and writing style is what I find ties all my tracks together.
Give us a little bio about you.
I’m a 22 year old singer-singer-songwriter and musician who was born and raised in Germany, and first picked up my fathers guitar after leaving the British Army and moving to the UK in 2004. From the age of 12 I started writing my own material as a coping mechanism for things that I went through as a child, during my school life and personal experiences.
What made you go in to music?
Aside from being a personal release and healing process for myself, the biggest push for wanting to put my music out there and perform was to both inspire others, and make people aware that if they have felt or been through anything described in my lyrics, then they are absolutely not alone. I hope for my songs to be a way to help someone else.
Are you a signed?
I am not signed…
You released your new single ‘Blessed with a Curse’ tell us more about it.
‘Blessed with a Curse’ is the first song of its kind for me. The song almost wrote itself, as I sat down I realized that everything I’d been doing over the past ten years was, and will always be a cycle. Writing music has become who I am. I can never change that no matter where I go, what I do or who I meet, or how much I try to normalize my life and confirm to society, I will always be pulled back to the music; as the lyrics in this song specifically emphasis it’s ‘something I have to do’. It’s the only song I have written about my relationship with music, although it definitely comes with many sacrifices and hurdles that others may not be aware of. Being able to write, sing, and hear music inside my head constantly is a major ‘blessing’ or ‘talent’ as some may describe, but it’s also a very lonely and dark place at times, and makes you feel outcast. But it’s only because I feel emotion so intently that I am able to produce words with so much meaning and depth. And I feel that if you write a song that has value to you, it will resonate with somebody else around the world.
Describe the song in two words
Ying and Yang
What was the writing process like?
Blurry… I can’t really remember too much. I wrote it at the end of 2017/start of 2018 (winter) and as I recall I was sat on the sofa just playing around with some chords on my own, and I just started talking to myself about how I felt in a melodic way. At the time I’d lost touch with someone which seems to be a re-occurrence for me, as although I love being social, I always tend to isolate myself occasionally for periods of times to be creative. I’m aware this can push people away, and all I wanted to say was “I’m sorry to you” but It’s “Something I have to do” and so this song was born.
What was the recording process like?
Crazy! Hard working long days, full of creativity and ideas, we pretty much got the song down and mixed within two days. There were lots of on the spot suggestions with trial and errors to what just felt right at the time.
What is the message you want listeners to take from the single?
Stick to you you are, do things that make you happy and don’t try to change what makes you unique.
Who did you work with on the single with?
I worked with a producer called Matt in a London based studio, he was so enthusiastic with such a good ability to draw out the full potential of the song!
Where can we buy the single from?
Most platforms – I’d recommend iTunes as your go-to for purchasing…
Will we see an EP or Album this year and if so what can we expect from it?
Yes absolutely – The single is a part of a 4 track EP that will be released later this year! All the tracks have a different flavour about them that I feel is appropriate to the chosen times of the release, for example one of the singles has a Spanish guitar feel in the mix which had a much more summery vibe to it.
Do you have any shows coming up or a tour in planning?
There are many shows going on constantly, small support sets and headline shows which you can find on my website and through the ‘Bands in Town’ App. I’m always updating shows and adding to the list (http://www.Taylor-Louise.co.uk)
If so where will you be heading?
I have a headline show June 28th at Temperance in Leamington Spa, this will be a very intimate and limited ticketed event. At this point the second single off the EP will be released and it’ll be a change for people to hear both tracks live! There will be many smaller event before this date too, one includes a support slot at AKA in Banbury for Sam Martin Friday 15th March. I’m supper excited for this as not only am I opening for an amazing artist but also a great friend of mine.
What else can we expect in 2019?
Videos, more recording, anything my mind can think of I tend to set out doing. I currently have some interesting ideas that my audience can get involved with.
Do you have any collaborations coming up with any up coming artists?
There’s definitely been some promising discussions…
Would you be up for collaborations if other musicians wanted one with you? and who would they have to contact?
Absolutely! I love working with new people. Best way to contact is directly through the website (www.Taylor-Louise.co.uk)
Do you play any instruments?
My main instrument is guitar. I do play a little keys. Sometimes I manage one straight forward beat on a drum kit if that counts? And I think I’ve got down a few nursery rhymes on a recorder once… I like to give anything a go, and I’ve tried most instruments but there’s something about guitar that i just connect with – Probably because it was easier than taking a keyboard to a gig!
Who are your influences?
My influences change all the time, this is a great for me because it means I evolve as a person. I tend to connect with a person more than just their music. Currently my biggest influence has been Billie Eilish for her ability to stand out and say what she actually thinks and feels, all of her songs are so contrasting from one another, and she’s not afraid to say her mind is a dark place. I find so many artists feel they need to stick to one genre in order to please their fans these days. But what does it mean when an artists stop creating for themselves… Nothing is more rewarding when you do what you feel is right for you, stay open minded and vulnerable to put a part of you out publicly and someone says “I really felt that song”.
How do you get inspiration to write songs?
Situations. It’s always situations. Mine, someone else, surroundings, a feeling, a conversation, a point of view. If I feel a lot of emotion come over me I will pour it onto paper at some point, and sometimes it can be so intense that a song can be written within the hour if not less. The majority of the time it’s not during the same day or week or month of a situation, but once the feelings settle and have processed the words just come out.
Where do you see yourself now in 5 Years?
Happy, driven, singing, writing. It’s hard to be specific, but I know I’ll always push to be the best version of me as possible. Success really depends on what you see it as. If I’m able to make a living from doing what I love, being who I am and inspiring other people then I can’t see it getting much better than that.
When you’re not doing music, what do you do?
Gym, I am an addict. I love lifting weights, seeing how strong I can get, setting new goals and sharing positive vibes. It’s so therapeutic and releases endorphins which clear my head for a fresh mindset. It gives my mind a break and a focus from thinking of all the thousands of things that goes on in my head everyday.
What was the song you listened to most that influenced you to go more in to the music scene?
It was never a main intention… I listened to a lot of rock but there wasn’t one song or artist that made me think ‘I really want to go more in to the music scene’, It just was something that called to me and made sense to do, I get such a high form being on a stage, singing my songs to masses of people who get a buzz to listen to something new. Each time I share a song that has raw emotion, I heal, and when I see a message pop up that somebody has loved a track it just makes the process so worth while. And that’s the drive to get further.
What’s the best advice you have ever been given?
There’s going to be nobody else like you, so don’t try to be like somebody else.
What advice would you give to aspiring musicians not about the industry and just as an artist?
Be open minded, try new things, go with your gut feeling, and most of all LEARN.
What quote or saying do you always stick by?
“People are always going to look at you, so you might as well give them something to look at”
Where in your hometown is a must go to visit?
Jefferson Gardens!
Your coming off tour;
1/ Where do you go first? Outside in nature or my bed
2/ Who do you see first? My mum, always my mum
3/What do you eat first? McDonalds. I tend not to eat a lot when performing so If I’ve been really busy, at some point I’ll crave chicken…
When you are at a gig, what are 5 things you cannot forget?
My guitar, capo, vocal zones, phone… fifth one is tough – The set/songs!
Do you have social media accounts so your fans can follow you?
Of course – Spotify: Taylor-Louise,
Instagram
Facebook
Twitter
Youtube
Marguerite page
March 2, 2019 at 4:01 pm
Very talented lady , have been following listening to her for quite a long time ❤️