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1.) We’re very excited to have some time today with acclaimed ‘Roll N Soul’ artist Taylor Robert; greetings and salutations Taylor and welcome to Vents Magazine! Before we dive
into the Q&A mosh-pit, could you explain to anyone late to the party what your indelible ‘Roll N Soul’ sound is about? How do you define your beautiful and unforgettable musical styling?
‘Roll N Soul’ is my self proclaimed genre of music and the name of my backing band. It is a mixture of all the styles that have influenced me over the years. There is a story behind it. When I was touring through Chicago, one of my best friends Dads gave me an old Solomon Burke Soul record named Rock n Soul. I remember hearing the name and it just clicked. Why don’t we drop the Rock and add in the Roll! it’s not only my music but sort of a lifestyle for me at this point. All about Rolling with the punches life throws at you and opening your Soul up to everyone you meet and everything you do.
2.) Major kudos and accolades on your eagerly anticipated and freshly-minted new album Brighter Day which is set to light up record charts across the ever-lovin’; globe when it drops this April 18! Starting at the top, can you talk about what inspired one of the very best LP releases of 2025?
Thank you! I am excited to put this record out into the world. It was inspired by an experience about two years ago now, where I really had to start over in many aspects of my life. Turn a new leaf if you will. These songs express my journey emotionally through the lyrics and how I see the world, expressing my feelings through my music. It is really a look inside my heart and mind, almost a diary entry in every song. I truly hope people can relate to it and find some peace and comfort. In the end I chose “Brighter Day” as the title because I came out of it all with a more positive outlook on life.
3.) Can you introduce our ever-inquisitive readers to the amazing assembly of musical alchemists which you assembled to assist you in the recording of the upcoming Brighter Day LP?
These songs started as demos in my home studio and eventually led to me adding full production with the help of some of my band members and session players. Most of the Guitar work is done by the master, Dan Neale. I especially like his finger picking style in the song “Jeep Truck”. Drummer extraordinaire, Jay Corkan, played all the live drums on the album. My good friend, R&B singer Dario Perkins aka Mr. DP lended his vocal talents to the song “Long Time Comin'”. I had 2 different Hammond B3 Organ players on some of the more Soulful songs on the album, Brian Ziemniak and Kevin Gastonguay. Last but not least, the very talented Joe Savage lent his part in “Jeep Truck” with Dobro and Harmonica.
4.) Speaking of collaborations, Brighter Day was beautifully mixed and mastered by the rightly lauded Luke Harper. What was it like working with Luke on the new album, and what does he bring to the table which no one else can?
Luke is amazing. He is a very good friend of mine. I have been working with him since my college days. Not only did he engineer mix/master my first 3 studio albums ever. He has also helped with being a producer and ear in the studio whenever I have questions or have a specific need that only he would know. Luke is not only a pro at what he does with the mixing and mastering, he is a fun guy to work with. As the longest tenured member of my musical Team he knows me and my music probably better than anyone else. He is an integral part of the Roll N Soul Team.
5.) We’re big admirers of the tune Only Love which can be found front-and-center on the new Brighter Day album! What’s the VH1-Behind the Music origin story on this gem of a ditty?
“Only Love” was written around the holidays when I was trying to get myself out of a funk and into the Holiday spirit. I remember I wrote the chorus a few weeks before and one night I couldn’t sleep so I sat down in front of my piano around midnight and finished the tune. The special part about this song is it describes how I can write a song anywhere in my head and heart. From a street corner to a coffee shop, the world is my canvas for my art.
6.) In your humble opinion, what differentiates the Brighter Day LP from the Distinguished Competition on the 2025 music scene?
I feel that some singer/songwriters and artists with a similar genre to me are sort of trying to make top 40 record songs at times. I tried to stay true to myself and my Roll N Soul style throughout this record. Not only are the lyrics raw and real, it is really a different subject matter than some other releases I have heard this year. I truly hope it can reach the ears of the listeners that need to hear it.
7.) In the wake of the April 18 release of your new LP Brighter Day, can fans look forward to catching you on the touring/performing circuit?
I have my big CD Release Show at Green Room in Minneapolis, MN on April 15th. Some other local gigs lined up for this summer/fall. I also plan to take a trip down to Nashville this summer to do some writing and gigging.
8.) Who are some of your major inspirations both in and out of the world of music?
I will always have a soft spot for Blues. Any old school Blues artist is usually playing in my car everyday. My mainstream inspirations come from artists like John Mayer and Justin Timberlake. I love the vocals of guys like Teddy Swims and Marcus King. There is also a group of Nashville singer/songwriters all in a similar circle. Dave Barnes, Ernie Halter, Keaton Simons and Tony Lucca to name a few. Outside the world of music my daughters always inspire me every single day to continue to strive to be a good person and live my life with love at the center of it all.
9.) You hail from the beautiful state of Minnesota, birthplace to such rock and roll luminaries as Eddie Cochran! How do those particular stomping grounds inform you as both a person
and as an artist?
Well, I have always said living in Minnesota is not for the faint of heart. The extreme weather for one, has taught me to have a carefree, laid back attitude. As I grew up in the MN music scene, I have worked with and came across many musicians who have played with/worked with Prince. I never met him myself, but I have heard many stories and in turn been influenced second hand by the Minneapolis sound. It is a welcoming, supportive music scene and I love being a part of it.
10.) At the end of the day, what do you hope listeners walk away with after giving many-a-spin to your incredible new album Brighter Day?
I hope this album can help listeners get through hard times and lead them to happier days as the songs did for me when I wrote them. This album was a cathartic experience to say the least. I truly wish for listeners to be able to look on the bright side of life after giving it a spin.
Website: taylorrobert.com
Facebook: facebook.com/taylorrobertmusic
Instagram: instagram.com/rollnsoul
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/2VUVljuquBvRif5NO1jeoW?si=_pdNr5yTROylvwxFyUa6yQ
YouTube: YouTube.com/taylorrobertrollnsoul
Apple Music: https://music.apple.com/us/artist/taylor-robert/473879536
LinkTree: https://linktr.ee/Taylorrobert
