411Music Exclusive Interview - Chris Taylor
Posted by Tim Johnson on 04.12.2006
Deep thoughts with the Cavalier King...
Recently, I had the opportunity to conduct an email interview with indie artist and musician, Chris Taylor. Taylor is the driving force behind, "Cavalier King", and his first musical release, The Sun Revolutions, is one of the most refreshing albums to hit the scene in quite awhile.
Taylor took the time to provide an honest insight about the creative process, his inspirations, and the true meaning of success.
After reading his responses, you'll understand why he was able to succeed on the first try.
Tim Johnson: What are you up to now that The Sun Revolutions is on the shelves?
Chris Taylor: I'm doing the same thing I was doing before it was out: writing songs, painting pictures, and reading revolutionary war era biographies (I revere Alexander Hamilton & Ben Franklin).
TJ: From start to finish, how long did it take you to finalize the recording of the album?
CT: I began writing songs four years ago. I've written hundreds and created multiple demos of about 50 of them. But the resulting 10 track album--the combination of my bedroom demos with additional tracks recorded at Slaughterhouse Studio-- took probably 7-10 days.
TJ: Your album has the distinction of having a familiar sound without emulating anyone in particular. How broad are your musical influences, and who are you currently listening to?
CT: I listen to Bjork, Radiohead, Prince, Tears for Fears, Van Morrison, Blonde Redhead, U2, The Doors, & and Bob Marley, just to name a few influences. You can see a more extensive list at my myspace site. But today I'm listening to John Williams—specifically the love theme from Stars Wars II. Something about that melody captures all that I would wish to convey about the world. It expresses the otherworldly feeling I have that we are living in a sci-fi romance/action movie, or in an Alphonse Mucha painting, or in Tom Robbins' "Still Life With Woodpecker". I guess I like the myth of the hero-rebel-warrior-poet led by love to his own demise. And I like anything that comments on the human condition. But my fascination with those themes as they are conveyed in Star Wars, which is based on Joseph Campbell's research and theories of mythology, is to a surprising extent a result of John William's score.
TJ: Other notable musicians have claimed that their first album was the easiest to write and record since they've had all their lives to do it. Did you have a specific plan for the direction of the album prior to entering the studio, or did it unfold during the recording process?
CT: I have been using this whole process of vocal training, songwriting, and recording to explore myself. It was always the plan to just feel my way through it and to evolve from it. The music is more a bi-product of the true goal then. I think that's why we call them "albums" or "records", for they are hypostatized proof of our individual evolution, of who we were during that period of our life. Since I've never done this before, I didn't really have the experience it takes to make an abstract plan. I needed to jump into the concrete process of it. My measure of whether I was doing the right thing was whether I could listen to it and feel like it spoke for me at the time, whether it was really how I felt.
I just closed my eyes and listened.
I do think it's true, though, that most songwriters are moved by such immense inspiration when they first make the endeavor that their first album seems easier than their subsequent efforts. And that is a result of the time constraints placed upon them by audiences and recording companies once they've set the first precedent. I intend to proceed by the same principles I employed for the first record. I will close my eyes and listen.
TJ: Many people have dealt with the same life experiences as described by the Cavalier King. Was it therapeutic to put these issues into song? And by doing so, did it put some of the more unsettling feelings to rest?
CT: Yes, exactly. Songwriting is therapy for me, and it does put long pent up feelings to rest knowing that they have been accurately conveyed through the music. Having expressed some disturbing topics with this album, like, for example, suicide, drug abuse, and religious dissent, I can move on unfettered to convey other aspects of my experience through future works. Yet there will always be certain underlying themes uniting my songs like the urgent fear of annihilation, the relentless pursuit of glory, the fantasy of finding permanent love, and humble surrender to the mystery of life.
TJ: Along with being a musician, you've also painted the artwork for your album. Which art form do you find yourself devoting more time to? Are your paintings for sale? And if so, how do people go about purchasing them?
CT: I definitely aspire more assiduously to produce music. I occasionally paint watercolors such as the ones used for the album art (and I think we may use some of it for t-shirts and posters), but the originals are not for sale.
They are primarily used as therapy. And just as with my music, the resulting painting is merely a bi-product of making it; the product is subordinate to the process of its creation.
TJ: Your My Space profile is flooded with several new people a day. Your album has been praised by critics and fans alike. Is this what you envisioned prior to the release of The Sun Revolutions?
CT: I honestly had no idea what to expect. Of course I had hoped people would enjoy it, but I'm too new at this to have had any real idea what would ensue once the album was released.
TJ: How do you measure success as an artist and a musician? Some people see accomplishment solely by fame and fortune, while others are just happy to have gotten their message across. What do you think? Is artistic expression ultimately the most important thing?
CT: I generally just hope to connect to people, empathize with them and share feelings. I feel successful every time someone tells me that my music affects him in some way. I have felt extreme pressure over the past few years to produce tangible evidence that I'm alive, to visibly contribute to society some artifact of my creation. My stress gradually abates with each comment I receive. So it's not even really about artistic expression…it's about human connection. I've really felt most alive talking with many of my fans one on one about our respective life experiences. I like hearing their stories and getting the chance to expound on the complex philosophy underlying my apparently simple songs. Since the music facilitates that, I consider it successful.
TJ: What can people expect from a Cavalier King performance? Are you performing solo, or is there a backing band? Will there be a national tour?
CT: I have been playing shows both solo acoustic and with a band. We are putting together a very modest solo tour and working toward getting a band on the road. It's all still developing.
TJ: Are there any plans in the immediate future for a sophomore release? And were there any songs recorded for The Sun Revolutions that didn't make it on the album?
CT: I've written hundreds of songs…so yes, many didn't make it. But the songs were not chosen according to the chronology of their manifestation in my catalogue, but for more conceptual reasons. And yes, there are developing plans for the next record.
TJ: What's the best way for someone to get a copy of The Sun Revolutions? Is there anything else you'd like our readers to know about you, or the album?
CT: You can buy the record at Virgin, Tower, Borders, Barnes & Nobles, iTunes, Amazon, etc. And thank you so much for this opportunity to discuss the album. If anyone is interested in hearing more from me personally about the record or just want to share their experiences as they pertain to it, please reach out though the myspace/cavalierking web site…I'd be happy to chat.
There you have it. If you haven't picked up the album yet, now would be a good time to do it.
The next chance to catch Cavalier King live is Friday, April 15th in Northampton, Massachusetts.
