Taylor Robert plays thoughtful music with a Roll N Soul (read below!) ethos. His newest album, Brighter Day is honest and authentic without being too revealing. It will become the soundtrack to someone’s recovery from heartbreak soon. You can see him play live at the release show April 15 at the Green Room.
Two years ago, we talked about your then-new album Man on a Mission. I remember noting the positivity in your music then. It’s still there in the new album Brighter Day, starting with the song of the same title. But the positive energy seems more introspective, harder earned maybe sweeter. Life to Live is also a positive song, but it recognizes that it’s a choice. Same with Come Around. Does this introspection – and decision for positivity – fit into where you are in life right now?
I really don’t know any other way to write my songs other than to base them off my life experience, feelings and outlook of how I relate to the world through music. This has always been the case since I wrote my first song in middle school. Music and songwriting has always gotten me through life’s ups and downs and it is really how I can make sense of everything. It’s almost as if I am living song to song at times, just waiting for the inspiration to strike. The introspection and choice for positivity is even more relevant in my life today as I look back on where I have been and where I am going. I have always looked on the bright side but the positivity these days seems to be even more relevant than ever. To say it’s a state of mind would be an understatement.
Last time we “chatted” I asked if you had a Jeep yet. Jeep Truck is on the last and upcoming album. So do you have a Jeep yet? Or at least a sponsorship? I like the new extended version. Now it sounds like a song I’d hear on a road trip with my dad. What inspired the changes?
I am so glad you enjoy Jeep Truck and remember it from my last album. This song has been a fun one to play live the last couple years since I wrote it. I felt it needed a reboot of sorts. It has evolved over time, especially with my guitar player Dan Neale playing the Chet Atkins style fingerpicking on my live gigs. It went from a Blues/Rock style song to more of a Country style feel good track. I decided to go all in and bring in Joe Savage on dobro and harmonica to really commit to the style but make it my own on the recording. You will be happy to hear that I do now own a Sting Gray Jeep Gladiator Truck, with a ROLNSOL vanity plate. I definitely do drive my kids to school and feel cool. Every day!
Brighter Day is a personal album. It feels very honest without being overly confessional. It’s an album folks will listen to when they need a new soundtrack to help them find positivity – starting with Love Light. How does it feel to play the songs live? Does it bring up memories for you? Do you see knowing looks from the crowd of folks who have been there – or might be going through it now?
This album is definitely more personal than some of my other albums. I was writing the songs at a time when I was really reflecting on certain aspects of my life. It was something that needed to happen in order for me to find a certain sense of inner peace at some very uncertain times. Every time I play these songs live I sort of relive the moments of all the emotions I was processing in each song. I do see the knowing looks of faces in the crowds that are feeling the same things and I have had some conversations with some people who have been at my shows that have been going through trying times and they can definitely relate to my lyrics and music. I hope my music can not only bring a sense of positivity into the listeners lives but also inspire them to choose to keep the faith no matter what life throws at them. As writing these songs got me through a season of life, I hope it can in turn get someone else through a season of theirs.
Tell me about Roll N Soul. Where does it come from and how can I adopt it?
I coined my self proclaimed ‘Roll N Soul’ sound back when I first got started playing my music with a full band after college. Up to that point, I had been in a few cover bands with my solo original music career being on the side of many music ventures. I remember touring back from a gig in Chicago, listening to a Solomon Burke record that my friend’s Dad gave me. It was called Rock N Soul. It was then that I coined the Term Roll N Soul- calling my band the Roll N Soul Band. I even got my logo tattooed on my wrist, as a commitment to really stay true to my self and play original music. Roll N Soul is not only what I call my band and music, it is a way of living- all about Rolling with the punches that life gives you and opening your Soul up to every person you meet. Anyone can adopt the Roll N Soul lifestyle. Ultimately it’s a choice and anyone is welcome. Just open up your soul and keep rolling on!
Please tell us about the upcoming release party.
I am extremely excited to celebrate my new Album- Brighter Day with a Release Show at one of my favorite venues in town, Green Room, in Uptown. The venue itself just celebrated its 2 year anniversary recently and has been drawing a lot of attention from the local/national music scene. I have been hanging out and going to shows/open mic jams at the venue since it opened. I will be joined by many of my musician friends- My Roll N Soul band made up of Dan Neale (guitar), Karl Von Gohren (keys), Dario ‘Mr DP’ Perkins (drums/vocals) Sam Gaitan (bass) and Greg McFarlane (drums/percussion) and I will be showcasing the new songs with a few old feel good tunes from my catalogue. We will be joined by the MN music legend Wain McFarlane playing a solo set, my good friend Jared McCloud with his full band and Roz Prickel opening the show solo. It will be a super fun evening of music on the big Green Room Stage. The show is on Tuesday, April 15th- music starts at 7pm / 18+ / $10 adv / $15 door.
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