Taylor Pfeiffer Mind Wide Open Interview

Taylor Pfeiffer digs deep with her Americana debut 'Mind Wide Open'

Hailing from Adelaide South Australia Taylor Pfeiffer has certainly packed plenty in for a 20 year old. Taylor's racked up the frequent flyer points when it comes to hitting Nashville and the USA in general.

Playing @ Béla Fleck's Blue Ridge Banjo Camp in North Carolina in 2018 & 2019 plus performing on Nashville's Music City Roots, which was aired nationally across the good ole USA. Add to this the 'Americana Fest' and 'American Banjo Fest' - This gal has been busy!

Even though she's been inspired by American music, @ the age of seven Taylor was compelled to pick up the banjo after watching Skippy The Bush Kangaroo.

Taylor has previously released an EP. However with this new track, she's moved away from her country pickin roots - with a decidedly more heavy-hearted Americana feel via the new single, Mind Wide Open. This 20-year old delivers guitars with heavy reverb, a melodic banjo line, and chilling vocals. The self-penned track proves an accomplishment for the young songwriter.

"The idea started with a catchy hook for the lyric 'I don't wanna be wrong'; I just couldn't get it out of my head. I wrote a story tracing back to that one line, of a partner leaving, but instead of accepting this, building false hopes, coming up with every excuse for it not to be real. It's a common feeling, not wanting something to end." Taylor Pfeiffer

Mind Wide Open was recorded in Brisbane with producer Michael Muchow. The new single is like a creative breath of fresh air for Taylor and there's much more to come!

Interview with Taylor Pfeiffer

Question: How would you describe your music?

Taylor Pfeiffer: I can't think of any one genre or word to describe my music, I'd say it's Americana/indie. My songs consist of soulful vocals, reverb, and some melodic banjo here and there!


Question: Can you tell us about Mind Wide Open?

Taylor Pfeiffer: I wrote this song about the idea of having a partner leave, and the avoidance of accepting their leaving to be true. The song consists of lyrics 'maybe this… maybe that…', coming up with every excuse for it not to be real. I recorded this song with Michael Muchow in Brisbane, and I'm so happy with the final product.


Question: What motivates you most when writing music?

Taylor Pfeiffer: A lot of things motivate me, and it can be very random. It could be a nice combination of chords, a title, something I'm feeling, an experience, or someone else's experience. That's the fun thing; you never know when inspiration will strike.


Question: Do you prefer performing live or recording?

Taylor Pfeiffer: I love performing live because it's my chance to connect with my audience, and to develop further as an artist. Recording I also enjoy, but it involves a lot of stress leading up to it because everything is final and I want my songs to be 100% perfect.


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

Taylor Pfeiffer: I do a cover of David Bowie's Space Oddity with vocals and banjo. It's such a beautiful song; it transcends me and my audience to another place.


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

Taylor Pfeiffer: Hmm… that's really hard! I'd have to say though, Taylor Swift because she's contributed so much to the music industry.


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

Taylor Pfeiffer: I'm currently obsessed with Kacey Musgraves, she won album of the year at the Grammy's last year. Also Lennon Stella and Billie Ellish!

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

Taylor Pfeiffer: I was inspired to pick up banjo when I was seven-years-old after hearing the TV theme song to Skippy the Bush Kangaroo. After this, I was inspired by Taylor Swift with her songwriting and Michael Jackson with his stage presence and work ethic.


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

Taylor Pfeiffer: Billie Eillish, please.


Question: Was there a moment you contemplated throwing in the towel?

Taylor Pfeiffer: Musicians will always have their moments, because it's not like any other industry where you go to University, graduate, then get a stable job. I find I'm always questioning what I'm doing, whether I'm stepping in the right direction with new music, are my songs good enough, etc. But I feel these questions are good to ask myself so I can re-evaluate and improve.


Question: What is the biggest challenge you have faced along the way to your musical success?

Taylor Pfeiffer: Well I once audition for a music scholarship, it was for jazz which I didn't realise; and back then I used to wear cowgirl boots and yodel, so when I got up onstage the judge turned around and laughed at me! But unfortunately for them, I wrote a song about it (laughs).


Question: What's a typical day like?

Taylor Pfeiffer: I start work at a supermarket at 6am and come home at 3pm, then I practice, and depending on the night of the week I teach banjo and guitar, or gig on weekend nights!

Question: What has been your favourite part of becoming a music artist?

Taylor Pfeiffer: I love how everyone is so supportive no matter what path I go down. Most of my friends (and my boyfriend!) I have met through music, it's just such an amazing community.


Question: Can you share your socials?

Taylor Pfeiffer: www.taylorpfeiffer.com
@taylorrpfeiffer/
www.facebook.com/TaylorPfeiffer.TheBanjoGirl/
@the_banjo_girl
YouTube
Spotify


Interview by Brooke Hunter