Sydney, Australia based indie pop R&B artist and nostalgia queen, Taylor B-W joined us to talk all about her latest danceable pop, yet deeply vulnerable single release, ‘In Ur Net’.
For lovers of the likes of Banks, The Weeknd, Vera Blue, Sevdaliza, Bjork, Billie Eilish, Halsey and Kimbra, just to name a few, Taylor B-W blends inspirations from the music and culture of the 90’s with the current day, fresh vibes of modern pop and R&B.
Beyond the fun and energetic vibes that Taylor creates throughout her music and on stage, she is not afraid to dive into many of the challenges facing our world today, having covered topics within her music like depression and anxiety, financial instability, destructive relationships and heartbreak, loneliness in a digital world, body dysmorphia, eco-anxiety, and the yearning for inner peace.
Whether you are listening to her music or catching her at a show, acoustically or with her band, you are sure to be inspired by the music and the infectious energy Taylor B-W creates.
Produced by Liam Quinn at Alexandria’s Ralph Street Studios, Taylor B-W’s latest single, ‘In Ur Net’ creates an experience that fuses R&B, Reggaeton and contemporary pop music to take the listener through a journey of the inner feelings of emotional entrapment.
“Like most of my songs, ‘In Ur Net’ is a fun, danceable pop song on face-value, however, behind the shininess, I delve into something deeper. This song is my take on how obsession and desire for someone can transform into delusion and mania.
In Ur Net’ is for anyone who has experienced an uncontrollable obsession and lust for someone who they know doesn’t deserve them. It’s like you are stuck in deep water, trying to swim up to the surface, but something keeps sucking you deeper and deeper, giving you tunnel vision” Taylor B-W
You can listen to ‘In Ur Net’ below:
Would you like to start by telling us a little about your background?
I grew up performing in all arts.
After school, I followed a career mostly in acting, till it really starting taking a toll on my mental health.
So, about 5 years ago, I took a step back from the industry and switched my attention to wildlife conservation, volunteering in Africa and then becoming a qualified zookeeper at Taronga Training Institute!
It wasn’t until I randomly entered myself into an International ‘Battle-Of-The-Bands style’ competition, called Emergenza, and performed my own music for the first time, that music called me back!
I ended up winning the Australian sector of Emergenza, and then was flown to Germany to compete in the International Finals, where I came 4th and won ‘Best Singer’.
I came back home and immediately starting focusing on creating my music career as a solo Pop/R&B artist.
And I haven’t looked back since!
What began your exploration of a music career?
I had never performed my own music before entering Emergenza on a random whim.
I had performed in an original funk/soul/jazz/pop band for years however that was always a collaborative effort and more an exploration as to how to work with other musicians.
I had all my own songs, protected and close to my heart, but had never actually performed them for anyone except my parents.
So when, as I mentioned above, won the National title of Emergenza, came 4th in the International Finals, and won Best Singer, I realised there must be something I’m doing right.
That experience gave me a huge boost in confidence for my own music and, when I came home from Germany, all I wanted to do was learn more about the music industry (which has changed A LOT since I was first performing) and explore my own sound as a solo artist… which I’m still developing all the time.
How would you describe the feel of your music?
It’s Pop/R&B, however it is very layered.
On the surface, it’s funky, fun, sometimes danceable, however, each song also holds a deeper meaning in its lyricism.
Once they listen closely, people are often surprised how my lyrics are quite sad, reflective or moody.
I love it when music holds a lot of layers like that.
You have recently released your single, ‘In Ur Net’.. what was the inspiration behind the creation of this single?
A manic obsession over a guy who didn’t deserve my attention. At. All.
Super early in our dating period, this guy cheated on me.
Although I ended it pretty quickly, I then became obsessed with him and couldn’t wrap my head around the fact he didn’t come after me, show any remorse, or try to win me back.
I even returned to him to see if he wanted to start anew, and he kinda left me in limbo: not really saying yes, but not really saying no.
So I weirdly began obsessing over him in every way to the point where I felt like a monster had taken over my mind.
Once I found out that he had begun dating someone new, something in my mind just clicked and I could finally take off the rose-coloured glasses and see him for who he really was: a player.
And so I wrote In Ur Net.
What does ‘In Ur Net’ mean to you?
It is a reflective song – once I stepped back, assessed my behaviour and the experience I had gone through, I could put pen to paper and really write about it with a fresh perspective.
I went crazy over a guy – something I never thought I would do – and I cannot believe that I had the ability to act and think that way.
Since its release, I have had SO many people DM me about how they too have experienced a similar situation – where a lustful obsession can turn into delusion and mania.
It means a lot that this song has resonated with so many.
What did the creative process look like for ‘In Ur Net’?
It was super simple and streamlined, actually.
As always, I collaborated with producer Quinn (Peach PRC, Rita Ora) because we work so well together.
I wanted Reggaeton/Dance/Pop fusion for this release, so I came into the studio knowing exactly how I wanted the track to sound, with a playlist of reference songs, and he nailed the brief immediately.
It was such an ease to create this song with Quinn!
Where do you find your inspiration for your music?
I find inspiration everywhere, but mainly through my relationship with myself, people and world around me.
I am also inspired by 90s music and culture.
I’m a 90s baby, I love that whole era: the attitude, the colours, the fashion, the ‘girl power’, the music – the era is so iconic.
How has Covid-19 impacted your release?
Not much, to be honest.
We live in a very digital age, plus we are out lockdown now, so COVID hasn’t impacted this release at all!
What would you like to see happen for you in your music from here?
I want to release an EP and tour regional NSW – that is my plan for this year.
The long term plan is to continue to collaborate with various producers and songwriters, locally and internationally!
And release more and more music!
What is one message you would like to share with your fans?
To recognise and accept when things are not okay – and that that is okay.
Mental health was such a voodoo topic while I was growing up and I’m so happy that nowadays society continues to break down walls and more people are open to expressing their thoughts and feelings more and more.
I hope my music does that for people – to let them know they are not alone in whatever they are going through.
Where can people find your music?
I’m absolutely everywhere: for all music platforms, just type in my name.
Also my website is: www.taylorbwmusic.com and on socials I’m @taylorbwmusic.
I’m also on Twitch (same handle)!
Karen Harding is a Melbourne, Australia based singer/songwriter, founder of Sounds On The Couch, and founder and operator of boutique music PR service for emerging and independent artists, Rise Indie.