The next installment in my popular Get to Know series is with Canadian singer-songwriter Taylor Jensen. Taylor made her debut last year with her fantastic single End of the Road. I recently had a lovely catch up with her as she reflected on how things have progressed since her debut single. Read on to find out more about Taylor.
Hi Taylor! Welcome back to Jem Girl at the Piano. It’s getting close to a year since you released your debut single End of the Road. How has the journey been so far?
So close, It’ll be a year May 24th! I really can’t wrap my head around it if I’m honest. It genuinely feels like it was just yesterday and yet 3 years ago at the same time? I think I’ve grown so much not only as an artist, more specifically when it comes to vulnerability in my writing & confidence. I’ve also really embraced my own self as a person on an entirely different wavelength over the past 12 months. I feel more myself than I’ve ever felt and I’m really looking forward to sharing my insights and soul going forward in the next releases. I’ve definitely found my artist identity and I’m so ready to lean in and fully embrace that.
For those who might be new to your music, can you share how your journey into music began?
Of course! I began playing fiddle around age 5 if I recall correctly. While it was primarily Scottish Celtic style fiddling. I always loved singing and dancing around. CMT was always playing on the TV at our house. I loved The Chicks, Miranda Lambert, Martina Mcbride and my dad was always listening to John Prine, Waylon and Willie. Both my parents are huge country music lovers. I was however extremely shy when it came to singing in public at that time so I stuck with my fiddle until 11 or 12. It was around that age that I entered this online contest, I think it was through CMT actually. I can’t fully recall but all you had to do was upload a little video online to the website and people could vote. Up until then I don’t think anyone even knew I sang. So, I went down to our basement and recorded a little video of me singing “Drops of Jupiter” by Train and uploaded it .It gives me a giggle thinking back to that time. While I didn’t get anywhere close to winning, the support I got from my little hometown really sparked some confidence in me. They made a facebook voting group and my music teacher at the time encouraged me to sing in public for the first-time after that. I was hooked from that moment on.
End of the Road was a great debut single. Are you happy with the response it received?
Thank you!! I truly am. I wasn’t at all expecting it to perform as well as it did on streaming platforms. I was just so caught up in the emotions of a lifelong goal coming to fruition and feeling proud of myself honestly for making it happen that everything else was just a cherry on top. For as long as I can remember, releasing music was just a dream I had, it was an inner child moment to see it all come to life. “End of the Road” will always hold a special place in my heart for that reason. I would be lying if I said I didn’t cringe a little when I hear it now haha. I’m not at all in the mental space I was in when I wrote that song but I look at it as a really great measure of just how far I’ve come in the past year. It’s a good reminder to keep showing up for yourself and how much can change in such a short period of time.
What have you been working on since then?
I have been writing like crazy over the winter months and I’m really loving the direction my music is taking. It’s very, Me! I have so many fun things planned but right now I can tell you that new music is coming right before summer festival season is in full force! I’ve been working on new songs, live shows and really honing in on my writing. Gearing up for a fun summer of shows and getting ready to start recording again. I’ve also been co-writing often and I really enjoy that. One of my favorite aspects of music is connection to others, whether it’s another artist and songwriter or someone who just loves listening.
Do share some of your favourite music artists and musical influences.
SpaceyKacey!! (Kacey Musgraves) is hands down my biggest influence as an artist. John Prine, Willie Nelson, Lainey Wilson, Miranda Lambert are up there as well when it comes to country music influences. I’ve also been vibing with Carter Faith and Laci Kaye Booth a lot the past two years and they’re really starting to gain a lot more traction, I love to see it!
I never really go into my songwriting with the intention of writing a “country song”. I think the values I’ve learned and the way I grew up in such a small rural area is deeply ingrained in who I am on a soul level. Country music is just what comes out and I’m just the vessel putting it to pen and paper. It really feels like an out of body experience sometimes. But it is authentically how I feel and experience life and my way of connection with the world.
What can we expect from you next?
More music, More shows, Merch!! I’m working on getting my next single out for release right now and getting everything ready to roll for summer shows! I’m really excited to be performing with my full band for some upcoming shows and getting to connect with more people and meet some new faces across the Atlantic Provinces.
Any news on live performances?
I have a few really fun shows that haven’t been announced yet that I cannot wait to share! They’ve been on my radar and a dream to play for a really long time. Sometimes I really feel like I’m dreaming. I’ll be announcing a full summer show line-up very shortly so anyone who’d like to come out and have a good time can keep an eye on my socials and website for that!! Right now I can tell you I’ll be at Sussex Fundy Fest in Sussex New Brunswick July 19th! Really excited for that one. IG: @itsjusttaylorjensen Website:taylordelaneyjensen.com
Any teasers on your forthcoming projects?
I’ve definitely got some exciting things in the works! I’m gearing up to release new music that reflects where I’m headed creatively right now- think a mix of grit and vulnerability. I can’t spill all the details just yet but let’s just say this next chapter feels even more personal and powerful.
Thank you so much Taylor for your time and for sharing your journey with us. Be sure to follow Taylor on all the major social media platforms and this blog for future updates on this wonderful emerging artist.
