Dallas-based vocalist and experimental-pop artist Lily Taylor has unveiled "Ever New," the final pre-release single from her forthcoming album "Amphora," set to be released on July 21. The track, a collaboration with Black Taffy, offers a meditative experience that captures the essence of expansive ideas and new perspectives. Lily Taylor's enchanting vocals and the ambient soundscape provide a calming and grounding effect. "Amphora," produced by a talented team including Black Taffy and Alex Bhore, explores themes of duality, time, and introspection. Lily Taylor's captivating performances have made her a prominent figure in the Dallas music scene, and her new album promises to be a masterful collection of ten original songs.
How did the band form?
I can't remember a time when I didn't sing along with everything.
I can't remember a time when I didn't sing along with everything.
What are your previous musical projects? How'd you first get into music?
I have always been singing and making up little songs in my head. I ended up studying Contemporary Music at the now closed College of Santa Fe, and then moving to San Francisco, CA where I started to perform solo and with other music projects like singing in Karina Denike's band, and briefly with a Turkish folk band. I then moved to Denton and now Dallas, TX to be part of the vibrant music, art, and culture scenes around the DFW Metroplex.
First concert that you ever went to?
My first big-deal concert was Steve Miller at the then StarPlex in Fair Park, Dallas, TX. My mother had a black and white photo of the two of them dancing at a sock hop in the 1950s. That photo got us backstage to meet the band. It was thrilling. I was maybe 13? I grew up with a lot of music, but that's the first big concert I remember.
Can you explain what your writing process is like?
My writing process differs per song. Sometimes it's the limits of the equipment that I'm using that help me make decisions about what happens, sometimes it's an idea I can get out of my head, sometimes I am able to come up with something right on the spot. That's rare though. Spending time learning other songs can help generate ideas, so can exploring different scales or chord progressions than you typically gravitate towards.
What other artists or songs inspire your music?
Jay Clayton - I was able to take an online workshop with Jay Clayton through the California Jazz Conservatory, her diverse arch of work is simply inspiring. I chose this track for the Spotify playlist because it also includes Joan LaBarbara who hosted the vocal master class workshops at my college along with the other vocal coaches like Mirabai, whom I studied with more intensively. Both Clayton and LaBarbara worked with Steve Reich who wrote this particular piece.
Drumming: Part II - Extract
Performed by Ben Harms Bob Becker Cornelius Cardew Glen Velez Jay Clayton Joan La Barbara Russ Hartenberger Steve Chambers Steve Reich Tim Ferchen
Written by Anonymous Steve Reich
Emotional Indulgence - I love this act. Formerly known as Ethereal and the Queer Show, they are beloved in the DFW area. I think their latest album might be their last, sadly, it's called Pan Cyan. I love the innovative hooks and textures throughout the songs. We've performed many times together and I feature their music on my radio show.
SRSQ - Formerly of Them Are Us, Too, SRSQ is a powerful act of lushious pop music composed and performed by Kennedy Ashlyn. I absolutely adore her soaring vocals. She is a great performer as well. I try to feature her music regularly on my radio show.
HIQC - I first heard about this act when I lived out in California. As soon as I moved to Denton, I invited her up from the Austin area to do a show and since then have tried to keep up with releases and performances over the years. We've been on a bunch of bills together, and I love to see / hear it every time.
Mattie - I first met Mattie when she was performing with the Mystics. I remember a particular performance on the main stage of the Deep Ellum Arts Festival that was incredibly inspiring. We've been part of similar creative circles around the DFW area. It is always very special to catch her performing live. We also both work with producer and musician Black Taffy in the Elmwood Recording studio, in different ways, but we've all definitely inspired each other.
Black Currants - Formerly of Native Naive, musician and producer Kelly Martin is an innovative songwriter without going too far out. She has been based in NY as well as on the West Coast in Oregon and California. This latest release is on repeat in my car.
Kate Bush - The Dreaming remains my favorite album that Bush wrote. I especially enjoy the production and vocal effects on 'Leave It Open'.
Laurie Anderson - I first heard Anderson's music when I was very young. 'O Superman' was played from time to time on television throughout the 1980s. I had a professor in college who gave me that album, and I dove into a different way of listening to the production, song structure, and storytelling. I enjoy most everything I hear by Laurie Anderson and I recommend seeking out her lecture videos online.
Karina Denike - I still collaborate with Karina, though I used to perform with her more regularly. I first met her at a Jazz gig in North Beach. She and the band let me sit in for a song, and we hit it off. Soon after I joined her singing harmony on many of her original songs.
Dorian Wood -I first heard about Dorian Wood during a streaming event hosted by Howl Space during the earlier days of the pandemic. I was then able to see them in Austin, which was incredible. Such a voice!
What's the live experience like and your philosophy on playing live? Do you think the music live should be identical to the recorded version or should it be its own thing?
I find live music thrilling, either listening or performing. I love to hear how artists reinterpret what was generated in or for the studio, and I try to make each performance a little unique to make everything as special and authentic as possible.
What has your touring experience been, best shows? Worst shows?
I have had the great fortune of being able to travel around over the years and perform in different places to different audiences in California, New York, New Mexico, and Texas. The nature of live performance is to expect the unexpected. I once had to compete with a golf tournament on the television at a bar venue. Folks applauded in the middle of song after song for every successful drive. I mean, at least they weren't telling me to turn down.
What's up next for the band?
I am releasing the album Amphora in July 2023 and performing in Austin, TX for Nite School at Cheer Up Charlie's as well as the Outsound New Music Summit in East Bay, California for an improvised set using my cymbal and my voice. I host a radio show every second and fourth Tuesday 7-8PM, CST on KUZU LP 92.9FM Denton, TX kuzu.fm, and I am working on the audio / visual duo called LOCATIONS @dronelocations with my husband, video artist and educator Sean Miller. I hope to continue to perform and record further developing my projects and ideas. Keep an eye out for Bay Area and DFW performances this fall!
https://linktr.ee/lilytaylormusic