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Heart On the Run 3:180:00/3:18
Bio
It stands to reason that a debut album provides a powerful statement of passion and purpose for the artist it represents. After all, there’s something to be said about first impressions, given the fact they seem to linger the longest.
Consequently, singer/songwriter Nick Taylor’s debut album, due for release on June 21 and tellingly-titled Not Alone, offers an exceptional introduction, a rich and riveting set of songs and meaningful melodies that ought to easily assert his standing within the revered realms of today’s Americana environs.
Indeed, for Nick himself, it represents a bold step forward, given the fact that up until now he’s made his mark as a solo performer, armed with only his singularly expressive vocals and an acoustic guitar. “Having the opportunity to work with such great people on this album — the musicians, engineers, producers, and managers — makes me feel like the songs are finally becoming all they can be,” he says. “It’s been an amazing experience to work with such skilled and talented professionals and I can’t wait to see where this album leads me. Debut albums are a milestone for any artist, and I’m thankful for the opportunity to share one myself.”
Produced by William Gawley, mixed and engineered by Bryce Roberts, mastered by Mike Monseur, and with A&R representation by Michelle Robertson, the album was recorded at Omnisound Studios in Nashville and features the cream of that city’s session personnel — drummer Wayne Killius, bassist Dave Francis, acoustic guitarist Pat McGrath,
David Flint on electric, baritone, and acoustic guitars, and mandolin, Chris Nole playing piano and keys, Deanie Richardson on fiddle, James Paul Mitchell on pedal steel guitar and dobro, and Billy Thomas supplying the background vocals.
The result is a stunning combination of sounds that veer from the gentle reflection of “Futures Past,” the evocative tones of “3AM On The Interstate” the easy embrace of “Carry You Home,” and the heartbreak and happenstance of “Broken Souls,” through to the sashay and serenade of “Getting Along,” the heartfelt homage to a special “Kentucky Girl,” and forward through the driving and determined “Heart on the Run.”
It’s no exaggeration to say that each of these songs are eloquent and expressive to a stunning degree. Nevertheless, Nick says certain selections resonate with him in a particular way.
He describes opening track, the riveting and resilient “Dogs,” as one of the earliest compositions he laid down for the album. It’s personal and cathartic, he says, a reflection of the anxiety that’s been an ongoing part of his persona. “Sometimes it gets particularly overwhelming, and that’s how this song was born,” he reflects. “It speaks to uncertainty — how it manifests, how it’s perceived by others, and how it affects those around us. When we went into the studio to record it, it just came alive. It was important to me to get it out into the world. It’s the song that inspired the album title Not Alone, but more importantly, it explores topics that society tends to dismiss — especially when it comes to matters having to do with mental health, insecurity and stability. It calls for understanding and in that regard, my hope is that it will help anyone dealing with a similar situation feel less alone.”
Nick says that the sturdy, steadfast and fiddle-fueled “Dead Land Future” was initially inspired by his agricultural work, an involvement that found him doing farm labor while pursuing a master’s degree with studies pertaining to the loss of Texas farmland. “This song kind of blended those two experiences,” he recalls. “The work environment at one farm was notoriously unhealthy. I had been wanting to write about it for some time, but I wasn’t sure how to go about it. I was really happy when I was finally able to collect my thoughts and put this one together in a cohesive manner.”
In a sense, the album’s final track, “Songs About the Glory” sums up the sentiment imbued in the album overall. Both eloquent and expressive, it started with the idea of a late night/early morning delivery driver, the kind of people Nick once worked with. “It evolved into the idea that hard work pays off in the end,” he insists. “It describes a situation where someone who has worked those hard hours for years is constantly exposed to songs they hear on the radio which describe the glory that’s promised for effort they expend. It’s a simple song, but I think it carries a theme that many of us think about when we’re struggling to make our way through life.”
Nick has made honesty and integrity an integral part of his efforts from the very beginning. Born and raised in the rural realms of Southeast Texas, his songwriting bears the truth of his heart and home. After years of playing music, he began writing his own material after making his move to Austin. Fueled by a desire to find new stories with familiar themes, he captures the overlooked details of romanticized life, while reveling in the deeper recesses of relationships.
Currently based in Austin, Texas, he was drawn to making music as a child. “I was too young to remember any of it, but that’s what my mother told me,” he muses. “My first musical memory was in 5th grade, when a local high school band performed for us in the school gym. It was the first time I had ever heard an ensemble like that, and there and then, I decided I had to be part of it. All through middle school and high school, I pursued my passion, discovering jazz and the joy of singing. Later, I went on to study jazz in college, but eventually I decided it wasn’t for me, so I dropped out of the jazz program and started teaching myself guitar.”
His first attempt at writing songs began at the age of 18, but he says it wasn’t until he turned 25 that he actually completed his first one. “It took a while, but it did give me plenty of time to find my voice, discover different styles of music, and reconnect with the country music I grew up on.”
Those seminal influences varied through the years, from early country icons such as Willie Nelson, Patsy Cline, and Kris Kristofferson, to the standard bearers of ‘60s and ‘70s rock like Led Zeppelin in particular. Later, his tastes expanded to include Charlie Parker, Frank Sinatra, Leonard Cohen, and eventually, any number of contemporary artists — among them, Jason Isbell, Nathaniel Ratliff, and Hurray for the Riff Raff.
After playing open mics in Austin, he met some fellow musicians, began playing regular gigs, and, to his delight, found clubs that would pay to have him play. These days, he performs throughout the country both solo and with his band.
Eventually, he got the break he hoped for when he was contacted by producers in Nashville who offered him an opportunity to record and take the next big step in his burgeoning musical career.
“I make music to help me understand and connect to the world and the people around me,” Nick says, summing things up. “I’ve always believed that music connects us all on an emotional and spiritual level, all I can do is put this music out into the world and hope others feel that connection too.”
True to its title, Not Alone is a meaningful statement, an incisive offering that creates every indication that an exceptional new artist has indeed arrived. An effusive expression of honest emotion and heartfelt intent, it’s a powerful and persuasive introduction to an artist with a formidable future ahead of him.
- Lee Zimmerman