Taylor Davis
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Taylor Davis

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"Local Listening - Taylor Davis doesn't "Let Go""

After independently funding and releasing his debut album "The Night the Stars Looked Down" in 2000, singer-songwriter and Metroplex native Taylor Davis left the flourishing Dallas music scene in search of a more subdued and eclectic musical climate in which to write and record his next release. The spring of 2001 found Davis hard at work balancing the recording of the new album with the establishment of his own indie label, Sky Blue Records. The completion of Taylor's sophomore outing, "Letting Go," and its release on his newly formed label, would take place just before his birthday in 2002. He was only 19 years old.
Currently, live performance and the continued development of a grassroots fan base are the main focus of Davis' attention. He commands the rare ability to create a sincere dialogue between the stage and the crowd drawn in by his spontaneity and wit. Taylor's astounding songwriting talents and soaring falsetto commonly elicit comparisons to Ryan Adams, The Counting Crows, and Wilco. His discreet use of a truly unique vocal style emerges in both live performance and on his records as Davis tactfully employs his seemingly limitless tonal range.
For the most part, "Letting Go" is lyrically introspective though intriguingly accessible. In the recording process, Taylor enlisted the musical aid of Austin legend J.J. Johnson (Ian Moore Band, Doyle Bramhall II) and Dallas-based Jordan Elder (Graham Colton) for drum performances, along with guitarists Keith Davis (Kevin Fowler Band) and Mike Hardwick (John D. Graham, Jeff Klein) and a small army of local and regional musicians as well.
The all-star performances on "Letting Go" lend a distinctively moody and melodic character to a rock record that would otherwise hinge only on its subtlety. The radio-ready rock of tunes like "Blue Tuesday" and "Black and White" serves to complement revealed elements of jazz and the Motown-infused groove of the album's title track. Overall, the record is an extremely mature and well-executed composition from a noteworthy artist still in his relative infancy. Through his continued touring in support of the new release (and the rapidly expanding fan base that ensues), Taylor is eagerly accepting the challenges of broadcasting his music to anyone who will receive it.
Catch Taylor in Austin at the Ale House Thursday, June 12. - The Daily Texan (Austin, Texas)


"Taylor Davis - Letting Go"

09.19.03
Taylor Davis: Letting Go

Purchase this CD complete with heartfelt lyrics and an even more dazzling sound, Taylor Davis has released his second album, Letting Go. I can tell you that we do have potential here.
- www.discoveringartists.com


"2003 - 2004 Austin Music Awards"

# 7 BEST NEW BAND
# 9 BEST POP BAND
# 9 BEST FOLK BAND
#10 BEST ROOTS ROCK BAND
- Austin Chronicle SXSW Music Issue (vol.23 no.29 march 19, 2004)


"Pete's Candy Store Show"

Pete's Candy Store in Williamsburg in Brooklyn was my dwelling last night to
hear excellent acoustic-based music. www.petescandystore.com Taylor
Davis, Dave Golden and Robert Gomez were on the bill. I had walked in 15
minutes early toward the end of the bar's weekly bingo session and greeted
Taylor and Dave during their soundcheck, which was delayed a few minutes.
My notes are very scattered as I see I was writing too quickly and had just
one drink. I know, I apologize.
Watching Taylor on stage is much like watching one's inner child at play.
You can see his youth, his exuberance, the passion in his croon and style.
He wore a black knit cap, red shirt with thin white stripes under a black
suit jacket, faded blue jeans which were ripped at the knees, and old white
sneakers. Classic. Even more classic was his stance...sometimes craning
his neck over the mic, pointing his left foot inward like old rock stars
once did, stamping it for effect. Songlist included "In My Head" "Black And
White" "Do You Ever" (request from Dave) plus a few new tunes,"Do You Ever"
(3rd song) like some of his songs, was about a girl he really liked but he
was unsure about how far he wanted to go with.
It was at that point his guitar string broke and he got out his Fender,
which contained some neat reverb.
Taylor introduced his first song on electric as something someone wrote in
Queens NY in the 1960's. It turned out to be the Rolling Stones "Wild
Horses". Taylor's intonation are interesting as his style. "wild" seemed
pronounced like "vild" There is such a soulful pattern to his songs, so
much that he stretched every last emotional note out of the song.
Taylor felt a bit weird saying that songwriters love NYC and always want to
say they like performing there, but he truly enjoyed being in the city. He
said this in introduction to a new song, which I'm calling "Everything
Perfect"..song about a girl he wants to fly in from someplace, into NYC so
they can be together.
He broke out a capo and finished his set with his favorite song "Home From
Hollywood" which will be on his next release, possibly in August. He said
it was his first time playing that on electric...took some doing in getting
it to sound like an acoustic. I think it worked well.

Dave Golden appeared a few minutes later in white, thin striped shirt, brown
jacket, dark jeans and a rosewood acoustic. He remarked early on about not
having something to hold a harmonica on to, and had guessed there was a
certain Mr. Gomez in the neighborhood that would provide harmonica service.
Alas it was not Robert, who would be on afterward. First 3 songs were of
rapid motion and delivery, notably his "Appalachian Fight Song" He had
been recording in New Orleans for a while and decided to try some new tunes
on the sparsely-populated audience. 4th song was "Caramel", a very
well-written tune coming from 3 perspectives..a bar, a war room, and a
cemetery near a house on a hil..all old favorite touchstones for those old
folksters. I felt the song had something to do with personal consequence.
There was one tune Dave repeated his lack of a ready harmonica holder and
had one gal help him hold it for him. That gal was Arien Rozelle of
www.feelinganxious.com She put together an evening of music that includes
both Taylor and Dave among others.
He joked about he was in New Orleans during the time when Hurricane Ivan was
on its way, and that the folks, after locking up valuables and boarding up
windows and such, that they would have 'hurricane parties'. He mused
further saying we have terrorism as an equal threat as do hurricanes so why
not a terrorism party? Or even..a terrorism party song? Yikes. Well he took
off his jacket and trotted that song out..called "If I Live To Die Young"
Country Joe McDonald would be proud.
Taylor would join Dave on "Frida" with a beautiful intro and coda..the song
appeared to be about a forced separation of sorts.
Dave finished his set with "Hold On Tight" taking a cue from Taylor, as he
unplugged his guitar and walked off the stage..into the audience area and
played. Awesome.

I stayed for Robert Gomez, who sported a unique electric guitar and Olivier
helping on an Excelsior accordion. A 3rd guy would assist on assorted
percussion. Robert's songs are written for guitar, and there was some worry
on my part that the accordion was too involving in the music, but it soon
grew upon me...it was marvelous how it evolved. I didn't take notes here,
just sat and observed.
I chatted with him afterward. I remarked about how I was reminded of the
Tom Russell CD I was playing on my show, and there was one instance where
the music of the Mexicans (accordion-flavored Norteno music) crossed the
border into the 1940's and 50's...just before electric guitar and Les Paul
really took things to another level.

I then got a CD from him for airplay. The CD is "Etherville" and features
Norah - Dan Herman for Radio Crystal Blue


Discography

"The Night That The Stars Looked Down" LP 2000
Featuring Tommy Quinn & Matt Bergeland of The Rocket Summer

"Letting Go" EP 2002
Featuring JJ Johnson (John Mayer), Jordan Elder (Graham Colton) and Keith Davis (Kevin Fowler)

"B-Sides & Happy Songs" Acoustic LP 2004

"Motel Songs"LP 2006
Produced By Mark Addison
Featuring Dean Fields, Nina Singh, Bradley Oliver & Lang Freeman of Sounds Under Radio

"Slow Southern Swing" LP 2007

Photos

Bio

Taylor Davis is one of the hardest working musicians to come out of Austin, Texas. Much of Davis' time is spent on tour across the US and east coast, performing upwards of 250 gigs a year, but Texas remains his home. His smooth voice, sincere lyrics and acoustic indie rock style combine to make him a super force on the music scene. The true taste of Taylor Davis can be sampled on any of his five albums, the most recent being "Motel Songs" (Produced By Mark Addison) and "Slow Southern Swing". Each album and song is as individual as the artist, but broad enough for a connoisseur of music to relate to and appreciate.
Taylor often draws comparisons to artist like Ryan Adams, Ben Kweller, Elvis Costello, and Elliott Smith, as well as bands such as Counting Crows, U2 and Wilco."If you haven't heard Taylor Davis yet don't worry you will, and probably soon."

Venues Played

New York City
Rockwood Music Hall
Arlene�s Grocery
Pete�s Candy Store
CBGB
Bowery Music Hall

Philadelphia
Grape Street
World Cafe Live

Washington D.C.
Iota
Staccato
Jammin Java

Charlotte
Evening Muse

Columbia
Jammin Java

Atlanta
Eddies Attic
Red Light Cafe

Nashville
3RD & Lindsley
Bluesboro

Dallas
Gypsy Tea Room
Trees
Bend Studio
Poor Davids Pub

Austin
Stubbs
La Zona Rosa
Saxon Pub
Momos

L.A.
Genghis Cohen

Colleges
Pepperdine
Vermont Tech
Penn State Erie
Southwestern
Oklahoma State
Sul Ross State
Wichita State
Rollins
Miami Dade
Dickenson
UNC Pembroke
George Mason
Cornell
Carnegie-Mellon
Mckindree
Angelo State

Naca Showcase & SXSW Showcase