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Recently, we had the pleasure of speaking with Christopher Taylor. Among other things, we touch on what he’s been up to during the lockdown, his newest music, his origins, and what he’s looking forward to the most once COVID-19 breaks.
Andrew:
Christopher, I appreciate you taking the time today. How have you been holding up over the last year or so? What have you been up to?
Christopher:
Hi there! It’s good to talk to you. Well, it’s been a horrible year, hasn’t it? Really missed lots of things including playing live gigs. However, I’ve been writing a lot and was able to get in the studio in the late summer last year to record three songs — so sort of trying to keep busy.
Andrew;
Before we dive into your professional career, let’s go back a bit. What first got you hooked on music?
Christopher;
Watching Top of the Pops and listening to Radio 1.
Andrew:
Who were some of your early influences?
Christopher:
Alice Cooper and Steely Dan, amongst others
Andrew:
Let’s talk about recent events first. Tell us about your new single, “By My Side.”
Christopher;
It’s my 8th release working with The Animal Farm studios. And really think it’s one of the best I’ve recorded with them.
Andrew:
What lyrical themes are you exploring with your new music?
Christopher:
Most of my songs are about relationships, I guess. “By My Side,” the new song, is exactly that. In essence, the song is about rebuilding trust in a relationship after one of the people involved strays into the arms of another. Regret grows and there’s a realization that the new relationship isn’t nearly as deep, loving, and rich as the one that was left and so, it inevitably fails. It’s so hard for the person who was abandoned to deal with the (known and imagined) stuff that went on within the new relationship. The lyric is an acknowledgment of that. It came out on Friday the 4th of June.
Andrew:
How about the production side of things? Do you self-produce, or do you bring in outside voices?
Christopher:
As I say, I’m currently working with Ville and Mat at the Animal Farm studios. Before that, I worked with Dan Mizen in Harrogate. I really like the input these guys have on my songs and how ideas developed in the studio.
Andrew:
Are you into vinyl? Cassettes? CDs? Or are you all digital now? What are a few of your favorite albums, and why?
Christopher:
I don’t really have a favorite media. I have vinyl, CDs, and digital at home. Digital has definitely been an advantage for me getting my music out there to prospective fans, so at the moment my stuff is digital. In terms of favorite albums, Adventure by Madeon, Maybe You’ve Been Brainwashed Too by The New Radicals, and New Amsterdam Live by Counting Crows are definitely up there.
Andrew:
What other passions do you have? How do those passions inform your music, if at all?
Christopher:
I like art and reading. They must influence some of what I write in a subliminal way.
Andrew:
In your opinion, what is the state of the music business these days? Should artists be hopeful? Scared? Both?
Christopher:
What a question almost a thesis topic me thinks!! I think there are some major challenges facing the industry in terms of grassroots gigs, recompense for music availability online to touch on just two. I’m a glass half full guy so would have to say hopeful but I genuinely feel that.
Andrew:
Last one. We seem to be nearing a light at the end of the tunnel in terms of COVID-19 restrictions. That said, what’s next on your docket? What are you looking forward to most in the post-COVID world?
Christopher:
Phew!! playing live again will be brilliant. I’ve got a real sack full of music written over the past year to record and get out there and play so feeling very positive!
Interested in learning more about the music of Christopher Taylor? Check out the link below:
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