As TAYLOR AND THE MAKERS prepare to launch their debut album, CHLOE WEBB spoke with vocalist CHRIS TAYLOR about the recording process and the inspirations that inspired The Gypsies Flee.
Your debut album, The Gypsies Flee, is about to be released. Can you explain what the feeling is like while you count down the days until September 14.
It’s a combination really. Everything from the ecstasy of hearing the masters and knowing that you’re done, right through to a nervous anxiety about whether what you’ve worked so hard to achieve will be well received. There’s no doubt that as a songwriter, when you release something new, you feel a certain vulnerability; well at least I do anyway.
Along with the September 14 release comes an official launch at Kantara House. Tell us a bit about that.
Kantara House is like a slice of North Queensland smack in the centre of the Central Coast; it’s an amazing venue for so many reasons. I’d say it’s far from a traditional venue, but to me that’s what gives it its appeal. That combined with perhaps the nicest and most genuine owners you’ll ever meet almost makes it a no brainer to pick as a launch venue.
We’re looking forward to it so much, it’s crazy! We can’t wait to show everyone what we’ve been up to this past year and why we’ve locked ourselves away from the spotlight for so long. This really feels like a celebration event to us. We want to celebrate the fact that we are lucky enough to do this thing that we love so much and to have shared the amazing moments we have.
We want to thank everyone for all their support across the years on the night so everyone who purchases a ticket will get a free album upon entry. We know that it’s hard to scratch together coin too so we’ve tried our best to make it affordable for everyone. We’ve got both single and couple entry deals – Single is 1 ticket + 1 album for $20 + b/f, and the couple deal is 2 tickets + 1 album for $30 + b/f. I’d encourage everyone to band together and make the most of the couple deal if they can, even if you’re just mates. Saving some dough here and there never hurts.
The album reveals a darker, moodier side to Taylor and The Makers but still maintains a persistent sense of optimism throughout. What’s The Gypsies Flee about to you?
The Gypsies Flee is about breaking free… from everything; from the opinions that you have of yourself or that others have of you. It’s about shaking off what you think you “should” do and listening to your heart more. Having a moral compass and using it. I guess I’m saying that there is power in perspective and every now and again we need to check ourselves. From what we know, we only get one life and who knows how long that will be. Don’t be afraid to be you! Life is there to be lived, so live it already! You might just learn something about yourself. In fact, I know you will!
Let’s talk positivity and perspective, there’s always a distinct vein of it running throughout the Taylor and The Makers sound. Would you say that sense of aforementioned optimism has become somewhat quintessential?
I think so, yeah! I’ve always wanted to write music that makes people happy or see’s the good in something. I think we’ve managed to achieve that with this record, albeit in a slightly different fashion this time around. That said though, for me it has to be genuine; I’m not a good enough writer to fake it. To a degree, I have to feel that way in order to write that way, I usually write from what stirs within I guess. But, I do believe that you make what you will of something simply by the perspective you take.
Could you tell us little bit about the recording processes of The Gypsies Flee?
We did this album live for the most part. We recorded at The Grove Studios, each of us in our booth, looking at each other and made of it what we could. We went and threw all the dressy parts on from there.
The motto for the recording process would probably have been “keep it live”. We really wanted to capture that live feel and energy that we love about shows and put it to record.
It’s been an awesome experience recording this album. I’m incredibly grateful for having had the opportunity to do it and I’m stoked that a year on since first walking in to the studio, we have an album which is a true expression of what we are. That’s pretty awesome! I just hope people like it!
There’s an eclectic mix of genres that make up the Taylor and the Makers sound, although Roots may be the underlying foundation. Who, what and where inspires Taylor and The Makers?
Wow… Where do I start? The easiest place is probably to list a few musical inspirations. For me personally, the biggest musical influences come from the likes of Dave Matthews, Michael Franti, John Butler, Ben Harper, John Mayer, Bon Iver and so many more. The common denominator with all these guys is the ability to write what they feel. There’s an honesty about their music that has the ability to take you somewhere or make you feel something, even if you can’t quite put your finger on what it is. I couldn’t possibly go past the guys in the band though. Brendan and Bryce inspire me with their talents every time we get together. They’re both very talented, very capable muso’s; they put me to shame everyday.
I’m inspired by all kinds of things. From war and politics (and the all to close relationship they seem to have) through to love and loss and whatever provokes an emotion. When I’m on the road… I feel like in some way, shaking the shackles of the everyday grind seems to free up my creativity. I guess it all ultimately comes back to that perspective I mentioned earlier though. The real hotspot for me, if there is one, it’s gotta be the NSW North Coast; a bit of Byron Bay always does the soul well. But all that said, as long as I’ve got my lady, I have all the inspiration I’ll ever need. Don’t be fooled, she’s the one who holds it together.
Taylor and the Makers launch The Gypsies Flee at Kantara House, Green Point, on Saturday September 14, 2013. Tickets can be booked via the band’s WEBSITE.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J1SGKJUQ5U0
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-CnxxvEgp1Q