It's always great when I meet an artist who's genuinely kind and goes above and beyond for others. Singer/songwriter Doreen Taylor had a sold out show Friday night (1/24) at the Theatre of Living Arts, but before she ripped the stage, I had an opportunity to chat with her. We chatted about her musical influences, her involvement with various youth organizations, and advice to aspiring artists.
Check out the interview below
What made you want to pursue a career in music?
I don't know if I ever really wanted to; it wasn't like a choice I had, I just had to. It's one of those things like I never really picked music, music picked me. Ever since I was little I always gravitated towards music, I loved everything about it. As I got older I realized that there was something really special about music and as I got even older I thought it was something I could make a career out of. I really wanted to be a doctor; that's what I thought I would do, but I auditioned for 3 top music schools just for fun. One of the schools gave me a full ride, so the rest is history.
Main musical influences
The very first album that I got was Slippery When Wet by Bon Jovi and it was out for a while before I got it, but it was new to me. I was in second grade and it made me cool in school and everything (laughs). I love Bon Jovi to this day; I think a lot of my sound is like his, especially my song "Judgement Day", like I could hear him record that song (laughs). I hear a lot of infusion of that southern rock sound like Lynyrd Skynyrd, ZZ Top, and Bon Jovi and I even like heavier stuff like Nine Inch Nails, Alice in Chains, etc. so I'm very eclectic. I try to infuse a lot of styles like jazz, pop, rock, etc into one style and that's what I am; I wouldn't put myself in a box, I would say that I have a little bit of everything
What's the touring experience been like for you so far?
Up and downs as you can imagine. There have been some amazing highlights and I think tonight's show will be the culmination of everything. It's sold out everywhere from LA to NYC to Buffalo to Philly twice and we're taking all of the things we've learned, good and bad, and we're putting it into the show here. It's been really cool and tonight will hopefully be the best (laughs).
What are your thoughts on women in the music industry becoming more supportive of each other and uniting to help each other when needed?
I've always been a strong and independent woman and that's also the message I put into my music and being about female empowerment. Being in the industry and having to battle the battles that I've had, it's tough. Women unfortunately have a harder hill to climb and we have to deal with things that men don't have to deal with, so women need each other; we have to be there for each other.
What are your thoughts on social media becoming more and more of a factor with artists and people focusing more on what artists do in their personal lives as opposed to focusing on the music?
I think it's all about doing things in moderation and I think that artists can control what comes out about them. If you're conscious about your image and you live life in the light, you don't have to worry about the dark coming out. I really believe everyone has control over that, so if you're doing something that you don't want people to know, don't do it in the public eye. If you want the life of a celebrity and entertainer, you have to understand that that comes with it and you have to understand that it's a give and take.
Is your songwriting process more hectic or therapeutic?
I don't have a real set process. A lot of people do and they go in and lock themselves in a room and write until they come up with something, but it doesn't work like that for me. For me, inspiration comes at the weirdest times. Like, I can be talking to you right now and you can say something and immediately a song can come into my head and I'll write it down. Since I write the music and the lyrics a lot of people wonder which comes first, and a lot of times they come together. The best songs that I've ever written, the melodies and the words have always sort of come hand and hand. I've noticed that when I sit there and try to force a song, it's not a good song; you can tell that it was forced. I feel like it should be easy; the best songs come naturally.
What has been the most memorable moment of your career so far?
I don't think I've had it yet, but I've had a lot of other memorable moments so far. When I first released the album I won the 2012 Suggested Songwriting Award from the Song of the Year Songwriting Competition and that was amazing. To come out as a mainstream songwriter and to take a chance and put your voice out there and not knowing if people are gonna like it and then win an award right out of the gate, that was pretty cool. It was kind of a sign that I'm on the right path right now. Also, my very first sold out show here in Philadelphia at World Cafe Live last May, again, not knowing the result because it was my first headlining tour, was amazing. Being named the Honorary Chair for the Big Brothers Big Sisters 50th Anniversary Gala was amazing as well.
What would you say made you want to be involved with various organizations and helping out the youth?
I've always been a big fan of paying it forward especially with organizations that help children. I myself was a child lost because I was bullied growing up, so I've been an advocate for anti-bullying. I've always wanted to help kids because I think I needed that when I was a kid; I went the right path, but so many kid don't. I need to use my voice and what I've accomplished to help others.
So the last question I have is: What advice would you give those who are aspiring to become singers and songwriters?
Don't do it (laughs) no, I'm kidding. You have to really, really, love it because it can be a terrible industry. If you really go in because you love it and you don't care if you make millions, you don't care if you go platinum, you just want to do it because you love the music inside of you, then that's why you need to do it. If you're doing it because you think you'll be famous, pick a different profession.
What made you want to pursue a career in music?
I don't know if I ever really wanted to; it wasn't like a choice I had, I just had to. It's one of those things like I never really picked music, music picked me. Ever since I was little I always gravitated towards music, I loved everything about it. As I got older I realized that there was something really special about music and as I got even older I thought it was something I could make a career out of. I really wanted to be a doctor; that's what I thought I would do, but I auditioned for 3 top music schools just for fun. One of the schools gave me a full ride, so the rest is history.
Main musical influences
The very first album that I got was Slippery When Wet by Bon Jovi and it was out for a while before I got it, but it was new to me. I was in second grade and it made me cool in school and everything (laughs). I love Bon Jovi to this day; I think a lot of my sound is like his, especially my song "Judgement Day", like I could hear him record that song (laughs). I hear a lot of infusion of that southern rock sound like Lynyrd Skynyrd, ZZ Top, and Bon Jovi and I even like heavier stuff like Nine Inch Nails, Alice in Chains, etc. so I'm very eclectic. I try to infuse a lot of styles like jazz, pop, rock, etc into one style and that's what I am; I wouldn't put myself in a box, I would say that I have a little bit of everything
Up and downs as you can imagine. There have been some amazing highlights and I think tonight's show will be the culmination of everything. It's sold out everywhere from LA to NYC to Buffalo to Philly twice and we're taking all of the things we've learned, good and bad, and we're putting it into the show here. It's been really cool and tonight will hopefully be the best (laughs).
What are your thoughts on women in the music industry becoming more supportive of each other and uniting to help each other when needed?
I've always been a strong and independent woman and that's also the message I put into my music and being about female empowerment. Being in the industry and having to battle the battles that I've had, it's tough. Women unfortunately have a harder hill to climb and we have to deal with things that men don't have to deal with, so women need each other; we have to be there for each other.
What are your thoughts on social media becoming more and more of a factor with artists and people focusing more on what artists do in their personal lives as opposed to focusing on the music?
I think it's all about doing things in moderation and I think that artists can control what comes out about them. If you're conscious about your image and you live life in the light, you don't have to worry about the dark coming out. I really believe everyone has control over that, so if you're doing something that you don't want people to know, don't do it in the public eye. If you want the life of a celebrity and entertainer, you have to understand that that comes with it and you have to understand that it's a give and take.
Is your songwriting process more hectic or therapeutic?
I don't have a real set process. A lot of people do and they go in and lock themselves in a room and write until they come up with something, but it doesn't work like that for me. For me, inspiration comes at the weirdest times. Like, I can be talking to you right now and you can say something and immediately a song can come into my head and I'll write it down. Since I write the music and the lyrics a lot of people wonder which comes first, and a lot of times they come together. The best songs that I've ever written, the melodies and the words have always sort of come hand and hand. I've noticed that when I sit there and try to force a song, it's not a good song; you can tell that it was forced. I feel like it should be easy; the best songs come naturally.
What has been the most memorable moment of your career so far?
I don't think I've had it yet, but I've had a lot of other memorable moments so far. When I first released the album I won the 2012 Suggested Songwriting Award from the Song of the Year Songwriting Competition and that was amazing. To come out as a mainstream songwriter and to take a chance and put your voice out there and not knowing if people are gonna like it and then win an award right out of the gate, that was pretty cool. It was kind of a sign that I'm on the right path right now. Also, my very first sold out show here in Philadelphia at World Cafe Live last May, again, not knowing the result because it was my first headlining tour, was amazing. Being named the Honorary Chair for the Big Brothers Big Sisters 50th Anniversary Gala was amazing as well.
What would you say made you want to be involved with various organizations and helping out the youth?
I've always been a big fan of paying it forward especially with organizations that help children. I myself was a child lost because I was bullied growing up, so I've been an advocate for anti-bullying. I've always wanted to help kids because I think I needed that when I was a kid; I went the right path, but so many kid don't. I need to use my voice and what I've accomplished to help others.
So the last question I have is: What advice would you give those who are aspiring to become singers and songwriters?
Don't do it (laughs) no, I'm kidding. You have to really, really, love it because it can be a terrible industry. If you really go in because you love it and you don't care if you make millions, you don't care if you go platinum, you just want to do it because you love the music inside of you, then that's why you need to do it. If you're doing it because you think you'll be famous, pick a different profession.