David Taylor Battered Interview

2019 Vanda & Young Global Songwriting Competition

Sydney pop-indie singer/songwriter and multi-instrumentalist, David Taylor, is one of Australia's most promising young artists. At 21 years young, David already has an impressive musical resume and it's only about to grow as he prepares to release his new single, "Battered" – a track that, even before it's released, has already been shortlisted for the 2019 Vanda & Young Global Songwriting Competition alongside other formidable nominees including Dean Lewis, Morgan Evans, Matt Corby, The Veronicas and more.

Co-written by David and multi-platinum selling and ARIA Award winning Producer Peter Holz (Vance Joy/Peking Duk/Gang Of Youths) and produced by Michael McGlynn (L-FRESH THE LION, Little May, Denzel Curry) and Cam Nacson (Tina Arena, CXLOE, Alfie Arcuri), "Battered" is a song about the entrapment of being in an abusive relationship and not having the strength to leave. It's a song that resonates with so many with 1 in 5 Australian women and 1 in 20 Australian men having been sexually or emotionally abused by a current or previous partner.

Influenced by the likes of pop stalwarts the likes of John Mayer, Kacey Musgraves, Ben Rector, Gang Of Youths, Ron Pope, Dan + Shay… to name a few, "Battered" precedes three iTunes top 10 singles and a debut album. David released his single "Pick Yourself Up" in September 2013 and "Take Pride" in December 2014.

David is also a big advocate of mental health. He partnered up with youth development service KYDS – a charity that helps young people understand, and manage, difficult issues in their lives through counselling and mental health support services – in raising funds by donating 100% of profits from "Pick Yourself Up" and "Take Pride". Subsequently, in recognition of his support of mental health, David was nominated in 2016 for Australian Of The Year.

David spent a further two years honing his song writing and readying the release of his debut album. In May 2016, David released the lead track from that album titled "Keep Falling" – produced, engineered, mixed, mastered and co-written by Peter Holz. It earnt David his third top ten iTunes Singer/Songwriter hit.

October 2016 saw David release his first full length album titled "Thoughts Then Reality" which charted in the top 5 on the Australian Singer/Songwriter iTunes charts, overtaking best-selling international artists such as Ed Sheeran, Justin Bieber, Taylor Swift, Passenger, amongst others. The accolades kept coming with "This Too Shall Pass" being named as one of the Top 10 Contemporary Songs Of The Year by the Australian Songwriting Association and, more recently, the accompanying music video for 'Goodnight' shortlisted as a finalist for the International Songwriters Competition for which only two Australian tracks were chosen in the category from a submission pool of over 19,000.

Fast forward almost three years and on reflection, the process of creating "Thoughts Then Reality" was a real learning curve for David. "Whilst I was thrilled with the overall result and response received, there was no set sound or genre and the album had lots of altering styles which ultimately helped me discover what worked for me, and what didn't," David says. "Through the help of many incredible songwriters both in the USA and back home, I'm finally at a point where I am happy with my sound and my vision."

Move to 2019 and David's already given a hint of his new direction releasing the track "Nervous" to fans in June which catapulted to number 5 on the iTunes Singer/Songwriter chart.. In support of "Nervous" and his brand new single "Battered", David will take his 'Chapter Two' Tour around Australia in August/September signalling his next musical chapter and his first tour since 2016. The tour will showcase David's excitingly deep, melodic and moving original catalogue including three brand new tracks.

FRIDAY AUGUST 30 2019: THE JUNK BAR – BRISBANE, QLD
www.oztix.com.au
FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 6 2019 – THE NEWSAGENCY – SYDNEY, NSW
www.stickytickets.com.au
SATURDAY SEPTEMBER 14 2019 – FOUR5NINE – PERTH, WA
www.oztix.com.au
SATURDAY SEPTEMBER 21 2019 – BAR303 – MELBOURNE, VIC
www.oztix.com.au

Interview with David Taylor

Question: How would you describe your music?

David Taylor: I would describe my music as pop, folk, singer and songwriter. The purpose of my music is to tell a story and hopefully deliver a message.


Question: Can you tell us about Battered?

David Taylor: "Battered" is a song about the entrapment of being in an abusive relationship and not having the strength to leave. It's a song that resonates with so many with 1 in 5 Australian women and 1 in 20 Australian men having been sexually or emotionally abused by a current or previous partner.


Question: How does it feel to have the single nominated as one of the top 40 shortlisted songs for the 2019 Vanda & Young Global Songwriting Competition?

David Taylor: Being nominated as one of the top 40 songs in Vanda & Young was an incredible honour for me. Especially to be nominated alongside such phenomenal songwriters including Matt Corby, whom ended up winning the competition. Truly a career highlight.


Question: What motivates you most when writing music?

David Taylor: As mentioned before, I love being able to tell a story through my music and deliver a message. What motivates me most is the idea of having people connect with my songs.


Question: Do you prefer performing live or recording?
David Taylor: I love recording but there is nothing better than being able to perform live in front of an audience and having them enthralled by what you're performing and hanging on every last word.


Question: What should we expect from your upcoming tour?

David Taylor: This tour is truly going to be my best yet. The show we have put together features songs off my first album 'Thoughts Then Reality', my two new released tracks 'Nervous' & 'Battered' and a few unreleased tracks we're trialling. This is truly a show that everyone will love.


Question: Which is your favourite song to perform live and why?

David Taylor: My favourite song to perform live is actually the first song I ever wrote titled 'You Don't Want Me There' which is available on 'Thoughts Then Reality'. I love this song because it really started me off in the music industry and is probably the song I am most well known for. As I wrote this when I was 12 years old, the lyrics are very innocent and a bit cheesy. But it's definitely the most fun to play live. It's going to be a lot of fun to play on the Chapter Two Tour.


Question: If you could have anyone, in the world, attend a show, who would it be?

David Taylor: Lennon Stella, Haim and The Veronicas - because they are all artists that seem like they know how to party and have a great time at a concert whilst appreciating songwriting and musicianship. And my mum and brothers of course!


Question: What or who was your inspiration to go into the music industry?

David Taylor: I've just always loved performing and music, as simple as that. There's nothing else in the world I'd rather be doing.

Question: Which music/artists are you currently listening to?

David Taylor: John Mayer, Ben Rector, Gang of Youths and Kacey Musgraves are my current go to artists.


Question: If you could collaborate with another artist, who would it be?

David Taylor: I would love to collaborate with Paul McCartney, as he's easily one of the greatest songwriters of all time. I would just love to see how he works and his methods. If I could share the stage with one artist, it would be Robbie Williams. I go and see his show every time he's in Sydney, and he never fails to entertain; it would be incredible to learn off him.


Question: Can you share your socials?

David Taylor: www.davidtaylormusic.com.au
@davidtaylormusic


Interview by Brooke Hunter