Taylor McCluskey – Star God

By starrymag | July 10, 2020

By: Jamie Steinberg

 

 

Q) Who are some of your musical influences?

A) U2, QOTSA, Coldplay, Black Sabbath, Soundgarden, Mazzy Star, The Band, The Doors and The Rolling Stones

Q) How would you describe your sound?

A) Powerful, soulful, punk, genuine and atmospheric. Stoner Rock meets Future Pop Country.

Q) Star God is your fourth full-length studio album. How has your sound evolved over the years?

A) Star God has been a work in progress for the past two years. I initially imagined this album very literally, so I picked each song specifically to create an immersive play through experience from the first track to the last.

Like a fine wine, I get better with time. Anything loved is worth repeating, including my craft. Along those lines, I’ve found my craft expanding as I further open my heart to new ways of expressing myself. It’s incredible the tools we have now to help express our artistic vision in music and film. Plus, having a great team and band along with Glen Robinson to explore the depths of Star God was a gift.

Q) What do you think it is about the songs that fans connect to?

A) The meaning behind Star God: I wanted to be honest about my place in the world. Life is short and we must enjoy the ride. That came in the form of battling and conquering my inner demons. I had to really learn to release my ego and let the higher elements guide me and my crew to the stars. It’s a journey into the unknown in search of a better existence, to be a better human and to create and seek out new experiences. A lot of the album is rooted in heavy emotional themes like love, acceptance, isolation, and, ultimately, forgiveness. I think this really comes through on tracks like “Somebody Cares,” “Breathless” and “Banished.” I also focused heavily on relationships and the turmoil that comes out of loving passionately. I think this really stands out on tracks like “Lo Rider,” “Starship,” “The Heartache and The Pain” and “Find You.” And then there are several hard-driving traditional rock anthems like “Darkside,” “Lion’s Den,” “Savage” and “Medicate” that deal with the exorcism of the demons within. Star God is a “walkabout” album. It’s meant for people who want to escape into our reality for forty-seven mins. It will be interpreted in many different forms. Like all forms of art and expression, it will be loved or hated. I think the album really shines with the strength of these key singles: “Electric Ride,” “Medicate” and “Dark Side.” The one that stands true for me is “Somebody Cares.” That song ties in the most to Star God.

Q) What is your songwriting process? Do you need music before you can create lyrics?

A) The writing process starts out with me in my home studio, usually playing my 1983 Les Paul custom, with some pro tools drums in my monitors. I’ll record the footage with my iPad Pro. I’ll send it to my producer Glen Robinson for a listen. We’ll then jump on the phone and start to talk about life. We call it “therapy.” And then we plan on a time to meet in his studio. We have a coffee and have some more “therapy.” He’ll throw on some drums and we plug in his Kemper with my Les Paul or his Fender depending on the type of sound we are looking for. Then, we attack it until it’s fully formed. From the beginning, middle and end. As a team.

Q) The songs were mixed by Glen Robinson, but how much of hand do you have in the production of your music?

A) My lyrics come from my personal life, what I see and experience through and with the relationships I have formed to this point. They come from dreams; the good, the bad and the ugly. Glen and I have similar tastes and we have a good knowledge base of what hits and falls short when it comes to songwriting. Glen and I have formed a strong work ethic and songwriting collaboration. I would consider myself a beacon for the songs that I want to create. After all these years I have found a great balance with my band of brothers and sisters. It starts with me, then I talk to Glen (therapy) and we go off and write. Then, we meet in the studio. Once we have tracked all the parts and the first or second strong mix is ready. We “we-transfer” the files to Zak St. John in Los Angeles to record live drums. It comes back and we mix here in Montreal and master with Aria in Atlanta. The music weaves with the lyrics and vice versa. It’s planned out and adapts a great sonic and story-driven blend. I take part in all aspects of the creation, production, social media, video/photo production, label and distribution needs of my content.

Q) What are some themes that are explored on this new album?

A) The meaning behind Star God: I wanted to be honest about my place in the world. Battling and conquering my inner demons. Releasing my ego and letting the high elements guide me and my crew to the stars. It’s a journey into the unknown in search of a better existence. To be a better human and to create new experiences. Life is short and we must enjoy the ride.

Q) What songs off Star God hold a special place in your heart and why?

A) The three that stand out the most to me with the deepest emotional ties are “Electric Ride,” “Medicate” and “Dark Side.” The one that stands true for me is “Somebody Cares.” That song really embodies Star God for me. “Electric Ride:” The real gift of my life is this. The electricity I feel when I’m connected to my true source – sobriety, which is the best and most difficult ride I have been faced with. I’ve been on and off at times in my life. The power I feel when I’m “On” is most incredible. Anything is possible. Staying in my lane, that’s “Electric Ride.” “Medicate:” Drugs are a funny existence. They work well with drinking and are good at destroying everything that is good in your life at remarkable speed. They seem to get in the middle and stir the pot while adding other problems to the recipe. My motto has always been “Buy the ticket and take the ride” or don’t — It’s your future. “Somebody Cares:” It’s dedicated to all who love me, who forgave me, who fought and continue to fight beside me. As I do for them.

Q) You started doing “#StarGodAtHome.” What songs off the album are you looking forward to performing live?

A) I love performing all the new Star God tracks in a live stream acoustic environment. It’s bringing a really cool human and raw element to the fans. Less is more. The connection is incredible, and we are growing new fans every time we do one. I really enjoy it and I can’t wait to do it live on stage.

Q) What do you hope listeners take away from listening to your new album as a whole?

A) The listening experience is envisioned as the “Full Monty” – each track is an adrenaline-infused creation. Musically, it’s akin to a sonic film. From the beginning, middle and end of the album. I would like the listener to play this on a road trip, long airplane ride, hike, workout, with headphones in the comfort of their own home. I also can’t wait to play this in front of a live audience, to be honest.

Q) Where are some of your favorite places to perform and what makes those locations so significant to you?

A) We did a live stream at Los Angeles’ The Village Studio D, which was deemed their “Fleetwood Mac Stage” with my band. In keeping with our deep LA roots, I have also played at The Whisky and The Viper as well. I also love playing live at my house. Less travel and more relaxed than the Sunset Strip.

Q) Who would you most like to collaborate with on a song in the future?

A) Jimmy Page.

Q) What album/band are you currently listening to and why do you dig them?

A) Mazzy Star- “So Tonight That I Might See”

Q) You are a part of social media. Why is that such an important way for you to connect with your fans?

A) I love maintaining a strong 1:1 relationship with my fans — staying connected is the most important thing for me as an artist. The fans keep me alive.

Q) What would you like to say to everyone who is a fan and supporter of you and your work?

A) Thank you and I love you.