Where are you from?
I grew up going back and forth between parents in Massachusetts and Texas. I spent a considerable amount of time in New Mexico and California as a young adult, and now I reside in North Texas.
What is your earliest memory of music?
I remember as a very young child, standing in the kitchen declaring that whatever 80s pop song was playing through the radio was my favorite song, and my mother pointed out that I said that about every song. Apparently, I have always felt strongly about music!
When did you start being an artist?
I started to understand that I was an artist later in my music journey, sometime in my mid twenties. For a long time, I didn’t understand why I was different, I just knew that I noticed things that other people seemed to gloss over, and felt a need to express myself through singing all the time.
How would you describe your style?
My style is a little tricky to define, which is exactly how I like it. My music has been described as avant pop, ambient pop, and dreamy.
Are there any particular themes or messages that you often explore in your
music?
I pull a lot of my themes from dreams and free improvisation.
What is the meaning behind your stage name?
My stage name is my name, Lily Taylor.
What is the story behind your most famous song?
The track “Ever New” off of my latest album, Amphora (Lily Taylor Music) is a collaboration with musician and producer Black Taffy. We hoped to create a track that captured a sense of vastness like an expansive view, an awakening, something invigorating yet comforting. We’ve received a lot of positive feedback about the song.
What is the hardest thing about being an artist?
Encountering people who take for granted and don’t understand the value of art and music in society. Music and art are not just entertainment, they are part of humanity.
What’s the best thing about being an artist?
The best thing about being an artist is the ability to express myself and ideas through creativity.
What are your goals for your music career?
I hope that my music career continues to bring me unexpected adventures and opportunities.
What do you like to do in your free time (outside of music)?
I am fascinated with history, different perspectives in history, and what historical contexts have led to contemporary events. I love reading history books and watching documentaries as well as interviewing people about their own experiences.
Do you get involved with charities or causes that are important to you?
Yes, I am involved with Rock Lottery in Denton, Texas, a charitable event where musicians draw names from a hat in the morning to form bands, write songs that day, and then perform a set later that night to a packed crowd. Every year the collective works with a different charity. I am also involved with the member supported, non profit radio station KUZU LP 92.9FM Denton, TX where I host the show BandwidthTX. In addition, I help out with the Cedars Open Studios art event in the Cedars neighborhood in Dallas, TX that showcases over 100 artists. The art-tour has taken place for two decades now and is the largest annual art tour in Dallas.
What is something that people would be surprised to know about you?
I officiate weddings.
What does a typical day look like for you?
Depends on the day! Some days are dedicated to teaching, others to rehearsal, others to working other jobs.
Do you have any upcoming projects we can be excited about?
In addition to my solo work, I perform with video artist and educator Sean Miller in the audio/visual project LOCATIONS. I also participate in the Dennis Gonzalez Legacy Band and Gerard Bendick’s ensemble in Dallas, TX, and I continue to perform and collaborate with musician Karina Denike in San Francisco, CA. You can catch my free-form radio show, BandwidthTX every second and fourth Tuesdays, 7-8PM CST on www.kuzu.fm.
What are some of the standout tracks on your latest project?
I’ve had positive feedback about the tracks, “Ever New”, “O This”, and “Giant Seals”, specifically.
What are your favorite topics to write about?
Many of my songs come from themes from dreams. I enjoy adding characters from my life experiences as well.
How do you deal with creative block or artist block?
Creative blocks can be so challenging. One method is to attempt to come up with several bad ideas in a short period of time, and inevitably something interesting will come of it.
What is the best advice anyone has ever given you?
I have to say the best advice I was ever given is to be prepared for the opportunity. What opportunity? The one you dream about. This concept has helped me to stay rehearsed, keep my tech equipment up and running well, and be ready to say “yes” when a performance or recording opportunity comes my way.
What was the best show or tour you have ever been on?
Looking back, I have had several truly magical moments on stage. It would be hard to choose just one, from the moments you really feel connected with the crowd, or you know you nailed that difficult part particularly well, or to see your name on the marquee. I’ve had special experiences at the House of Blues in LA (now torn down) as well as The Makeout Room in San Francisco, Rhinoceropolis in Denver CO, High Mayhem in Santa Fe, NM, The Cake Shop in NY, Empty Bottle in Chicago, and the Contemporary Museum in Houston, TX; the Kessler Theater in Oak Cliff and Rubber Gloves Rehearsal Studios in Denton, just to name a few.
What’s been your favorite moment of your career so far?
There is just nothing like opening a box of records, knowing that all that hard work and community that helped make it happen is embodied in a physical pressing that can be shared with others across the globe. I created my own label and publishing to release the album Amphora, and that feeling of accomplishment is really like no other.
Where can people find your music online?
You may find my music on all streaming platforms, as well as a few music videos on youtube, and you may order a physical copy of my album AMPHORA on LP or cassette on bandcamp
