Taylor Rae – The Void

Q) How would you describe the music that you make?

A) My music blends roots-rock, folk, blues, and Americana with introspective storytelling and soulful vocals; “Soul & Roll.”

Q) Who are some of your musical influences?

A) Bonnie Raitt, Norah Jones, Sheryl Crow and Steely Dan have all shaped my sound.

Q) You have a very unique sound and even left California to explore the music scene in another state. Did the move to Texas change the way you looked at making music?

A) Absolutely. Texas has such a rich live music culture that pushed me to refine my songwriting and stage presence. It also deepened my appreciation for storytelling in music.

Q) Please tell us the concept/themes for your album The Void.

A) The Void is an exploration of change, loss, and self-discovery—reflecting on the last five years of my life and career. It’s about accepting periods of necessary discomfort.

Q) You have said that The Void is an introspection into the last five years of your life and career. What about making these songs from such a deep place allowed you to be so emotionally vulnerable?

A) Writing from a place of honesty has always been my way of processing life. This album felt like the most raw and real I’ve ever been in my music.

Q) What does your writing and production process look like for creating this album?

A) Most of the songs started with just me and my guitar. Some took years, some took only hours to finish. I don’t normally stick with one process when it comes to writing—I like to let the song write itself.

Q) “Cologne” is your pre-released single. Why was this song chosen to be released before the entire album’s release?

A) It shows off the lighter end of The Void spectrum, so we thought it would be a good way to introduce the matured sound through radio and otherwise.It also hints at the themes of nostalgia and longing that run through The Void.

Q) Which song on the album was the easiest to write and which was the hardest to write?

A) The easiest song to write was “Maybe I’m The Villain” because I knew exactly what kind of song I wanted it to be. I wrote it specifically as a heavy hitter to come after Track 1. The hardest was “The Void” because of how personal and heavy the subject matter was. It took years to finalize that one.

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

A) It varies song to song. I keep one big long note in my phone of every lyric idea and/or concept that comes to mind during the day. So, sometimes I start there, but with “Cologne,” for example, I had the guitar groove for months before I could write any lyrics to it. Melody is always the most natural element to flow – it’s something I don’t work on too much specifically.

Q) What song(s) on The Void hold a special significance for you and why?

A) “The Void” means the most to me—it’s the heart of the album and represents the emotional journey I’ve been on. I had a week long ultimate “writer’s high” after finishing that one because it felt like the final puzzle piece in the album concept that I had been working on for years.

Q) Your music consists of genres such as roots-rock, modern-day folk, alternative, blues and analog Americana. What other genres do you hope to explore either soon or in the future?

A) I’d love to dive deeper into blending jazz with modern influences in future projects.

Q) What do you hope lingers either as an emotion or message for those who listen to this album?

A) I hope it resonates with people going through transitions, and reminds them that going through times of extreme discomfort or change is debatably the most important part of this human experience.

Q) You’re performing at SXSW this year! What does this achievement mean to you?

A) It’s an incredible milestone. SXSW is such a respected platform, and I’m honored to be a part of it.

Q) What can fans expect from this live Taylor Rae performance?

A) A dynamic and intimate show—honest storytelling and incredible players who have been with me for over a decade now.

Q) Who are some artists you are looking to see while you’re at the festival?

A) There are so many, but I am a huge fan of local Austin artists such as Jane Leo, Presley Haile, Somebody Someone and Suzanna Choffel.

Q) What would you like to say to fans of you and your work?

A) Thank you for listening, connecting with my music and for being patient with my process. Your support means everything!