Q&A with Taylor Tote
Taylor Tote
Your Age Doesn’t Define You. You Do.
We've all heard of a midlife crisis and how it occurs, you know, between the ages of 37-50. But have you ever stopped to wonder if it can happen in your younger years? Like, let's say, 25. Is that even a thing? Well, I'm here to tell you that yes, yes it is. And it's not just me who believes a quarter-life crisis is possible, so does singer-songwriter Taylor Tote.
"Quarter-Life Crisis" is Tote's latest single released via Telegraph Hill Records. The catchy track speaks on the growing pains one faces when they're presumed to be too young to be taken seriously. It's funny when they say, "age ain't nothing but a number", yet we can all relate when our age has gotten in the way in more ways than one. I certainly can associate with this track's message and what inspired it. But I'm not here to tell you, Taylor herself opened up and shared with us what sparked the song, how being raised in the New York area has influenced her, and so much more. Honestly, this is a Q&A you don't want to pass on reading. Taylor will make you feel like you're talking to a new friend who will gladly let you have a glimpse into her life and music.
IndieWavves: You're originally from the Jersey Shore and now residing in NYC. How do you think growing up in the New York/New Jersey area has influenced you as an artist?
Taylor Tote: I don't think I realized the direct influences these areas had on my music until very recently. Living so close to Asbury Park is more of a blessing than I realized, as so many people don't have access to as much live music as we do here. The draw, interest, and support of live music in our area are astounding compared to other cities or states I've been to. It's really given me an outlet to perform live for people who don't care that I'm not a major celebrity and actually prefer that I am a local they can support through my career growth. The more I perform, the better I get every time, and the amount of gigs I've performed in the Jersey Shore area lends itself to my growth as a performer and musician. Even growing up going to NYC and then living there also made the arts and entertainment world so accessible as it's a hub for anything creative. It was just a quick ride or train to see a Broadway show or a concert at MSG. Now it's a short subway ride to BMI, Atlantic Records, or Rockwood Music Hall. After talking to people from different towns, states, or countries and realizing the little music opportunities they have seems so foreign to me. The nearest bar can be 45 minutes out if they even have music there at all. I've talked to people from different places who give up on a professional career in music because there isn't enough to immerse themselves in. So I think now, after knowing all of that, I am so lucky to have grown up where I did because my life in music could look way different right now.
IW: You've listed Amy Winehouse and Stevie Nicks amongst your list of influences. How have you taken the inspiration they provide and make it your own? Have you found it challenging, and in what way?
TT: I love the honesty and realness in both of their songwriting. I really try to imply that in my songwriting as much as possible, but the thing about being super specific and detailed in songs is that it's personal, of course. Often, if I'm feeling something too deeply, it's hard to write at the moment, and something in me prevents me from channeling those feelings right away. Also, the idea of putting out an extremely personal song can be scary! Everything I write is based on my life's real events and how I feel about a situation. Opening up about my life, wondering how people will receive it, and then thinking of the kind of person I am can definitely be daunting. I also love their voices. I mean, are there people out there who don't like Amy Winehouse and Stevie Nicks?! I don't necessarily try to sound like them, but I think when you listen to and cover enough music by an artist, it can come naturally just by picking up on certain inflections. It's a compliment and exciting, though, when someone says my voice reminds them of one of them.
IW: Speaking of challenges of finding your way in life - your latest single, "Quarter-Life Crisis," was inspired after being told you weren't an adult quite yet because you don't "struggle enough." Can you tell us a little more about how that made you feel and how you used it to empower the track?
TT: This sounds silly, but I've always felt insecure about my age for a long time. Even as far back as a little girl, I can remember feeling like people didn't take me seriously because I was too young to understand anything. Of course, as a child, that reigns entirely true, but once I started reaching high school, and so on, it seemed like yet again I still "knew nothing" after another year of living and getting older. My birthday is in June, right in the middle of the year, and I always found myself telling people, "I'll be x years-old in June," even if it was like February just to feel like maybe the person I was talking to would take my opinion more seriously. I went to a beach house with my family when I was 20, and there was one person there, in particular, that was probably 24-25 at the time, who pinched my cheeks and talked to me like I was a toddler. I sang the National Anthem at MSG when I was 19 and when the director asked me how old I was, they immediately shut me down and responded with, "Wow, you are SO young," with a bit of an eye roll. I was baffled because why should that be an insult? And that's the thing; no one has ever called me young in a positive way. It's always presented in a negative tone. I don't want to rush my life, I know I'm still young and have so much to experience and learn, but after my 25th birthday, I definitely felt like I had grown a lot as a person and had a voice to offer. I was having a conversation with a group of people when someone basically said to me, "You're not an adult. Once you start struggling, you can have an opinion." It threw me over the edge, and there wasn't a doubt in my mind I would write a song about it.
IW: You seem to have a real talent when it comes to songwriting and being able to tell a story through your songs. Has this always been easy or natural to you?
TT: Well, I really appreciate this comment a lot, so thank you! It really is not always easy. Sometimes a song can write itself and be done in a day, such as my song "Evergreen", and sometimes it can take months like "Never Have I Ever" and even "Quarter-Life Crisis." I had the concepts, titles, melodies, and parts for both of the latter songs immediately, but the lyrics took months to come. I was very close and connected to them, and as I said earlier, I don't think I was ready to channel those feelings just yet. I knew exactly what I wanted to say but didn't know how to. I also started writing them towards the beginning of the pandemic, which was when I was feeling the furthest from being inspired and genuinely believed I'd never make music again. It took a while, but inspiration finally came around, and when it did, these songs poured out of me. I'm happy I held onto them and didn't let them go because I knew they'd be memorable for sure.
IW: You seem to be quite a force to be reckoned with while being on stage. What is your favorite part about performing live, and why?
TT: Thank you! I think my favorite part has to be connecting with the audience. I get all of my energy from the crowd for sure, and I love when they're super interactive. I really can just let go on stage and hopefully allow everyone to do so off stage. It's just so fun. I do miss it a lot.
IW: What is one fun fact not many know or won't expect from you?
TT: Honestly, I don't know! I'm pretty much a walking stereotype and an open book, so I feel like nothing is surprising about me. I'm a vegan who loves to CrossFit and talks about Jesus sometimes. Seriously, I can't get any more stereotypical than that! I also do want to go to law school in the future to study entertainment and sports law, I find it so interesting, and I'm really excited to see what that looks like if my life leads in that direction. I think that's actually a good fun fact!
IW: What can we anticipate from you and your music in the future? Any musical goals?
TT: Okay, I'm actually really excited for what this year holds for my music. I always have a lot of crazy ideas and have to give it a shot. Hopefully, I'm dropping some new songs within the next couple of months that are really different for me. They're super pop/electronic, and my friend and producer on this project, Russell Hayden, is helping me step outside of my comfort zone and prove I can be as diverse as I want to be in my music. Sticking to one thing is so dull to me. I'm fascinated by so many different music styles, and I just want to try them all, you know, why not? We also are recording the entire thing virtually over zoom, which I've never done anything from my own house before, so the whole project all-around has been a new journey. I'm also in the process of developing something that I can't speak too much on as it's in the early stages right now, but I will say that it isn't music, but something I think can help creatives in the music industry. I really wish for the best in 2021!
Written by Piera Lolandes