About That Song: Julian Taylor
About That Song #51
In our special series, singer-songwriter Sarah Morris interviews artists about the songs that shaped them.
Hi! I’m Sarah Morris. I’m wildly in love with songs and the people who write them. There have been a few songs in my life that have been total gamechangers—songs that made me want to be a songwriter and songs I’ve written that made me feel like I am a songwriter. About That Song is a space where I can learn more about those pivotal songs in other writers’ lives.
In the 51st edition of this series, I connected with Julian Taylor, a multifaceted artist with a long and amazing career. I asked him about the songs and moments that’ve had an impact on his songwriting journey.
Julian Taylor. Photo credit: Robert Georgeff.
Sarah: Hi Julian Taylor!! Thank you so much for stopping by About That Song. After being nominated for multiple Juno Awards for your last two albums, you are preparing to release your third solo collection, Pathways, in September. Recently, you let the world catch a glimpse of your new project with the gorgeous first single, “Weighing Down.”
I’d love to take a moment to learn about the songs that have been a part of your musical journey. Do you remember the song that you heard that made you want to be a songwriter? Tell us about that song.
Julian: I do remember hearing “The Weight” by The Band for the first time when I was watching the movie Easy Rider. At that moment I knew that I wanted to write songs like that and travel the country playing music.
Sarah: That song has such a particular way of bringing people together, of getting people to sing along even if they don’t know the words (um, me. I’m talking about ME here, ha!). The melody is irresistible and comforting at the same time. It’s easy to imagine that setting someone onto a songwriters’ path.
Once you began writing, did you feel like a writer immediately? It took me a few years of writing before I believed it—was there a song that gave you that “a-HA! I AM a songwriter!” moment? Tell us about that song.
Julian: I think that I did feel like a writer right away, because I was baring my heart and soul from the very start and that’s what writing is. I’d say for me that was a song that I wrote on the piano called “Streets of Fire.” It was about a kid growing up and life on the streets. Around that time I found myself in those kinds of circles.
Sarah: I love that definition of writing—it’s very accessible. What a lovely thing that you got to that place of openness immediately. I think that can come naturally to some writers, and for others, it can take a bit more of writing through the “head” before the heart cracks open.
Your current single “Weighing Down” struck my heart as the most compassionate offering—lyrics such as “don’t let it weigh you down—you’ve been so hard on yourself, it’s time to soften now” and “looking at the sky tonight, I choose gratitude” feel like an encouragement you can give once you’ve done some of that work yourself. It’s a beauty. Can you tell us about that song?
Julian: It’s one of those songs that wrote itself. I often find those are the most personal ones because they come to us and offer solace and comfort. I had a lot on my chest and was feeling a ton of pressure from life and my own personal decisions. I’ve done some of the work to relieve myself from the pain and stress I’ve caused but, as we all know, life is a work in progress.
Sarah: Indeed it is, and we are. I’m glad that that song came through you, and now listeners can find some solace of their own.
In 2020 you released The Ridge, in 2022 you brought us Beyond the Reservoir, and now you’re set to release your third album in four years with Pathways. Congratulations! How did you know it was time to hit the studio again? Was there a particular song that you wrote that gave you that “time to make an album” feeling? Can you tell us about that song? Or those songs, if it was a couple that worked together…
Julian: Thank you. It’s been quite a prolific decade. I’ve actually released seven albums in the past ten years.
Sarah: Amazing! Cheers to you!
Julian: Anyway… I’d have to say it was “Weighing Down” that took me back into the studio. I really wanted to record it. I had some other songs I’d written that fit the same theme and felt that it was time to get back in the saddle and see what I could come up with.
Julian Taylor. Photo credit: Steph Montani.
Sarah: I read that one of your guiding principles in recording this album was “Simplify, simplify, simplify” in terms of lyrics. I tend to be…a lyrically dense writer, and in the last few years have longed to aim my pencil that direction. Was there a song in the writing of the album where you really felt the “Simplify” mantra come to fruition?
Julian: On this record I would have to say that this rule applies to all of the songs. It was the first time I’d worked with producer Colin Linden, who’s done a lot of work with folks like Keb’ Mo’, T-Bone Burnett and many others. He’s a Grammy-winning producer so I trust his ears. He really coached me to try and pull back, relax and learn to simply simplify. It was hard for me at first, but I eased into it and worked at saying things that needed to be said and playing things that needed to be played—but in a more condensed kind of way.
Sarah: In my experience, it’s such a gift when someone can come along and coach you in that direction. It can be hard to get to such a place left to our own devices. It looks like you have a fantastic summer touring through Europe. How wonderful! Come fall, do you have any plans to tour North America, where we might hear you sing that song, or any other song for that matter?
Julian: I’m working on a master set list at the moment because I plan to tour Canada and parts of the USA. I’ve been making music for awhile and have a lot of songs to choose from. Certainly I will have “Weighing Down” on the list, and “The Ridge.”
Sarah: Wonderful! I wish you best of luck on all your adventures and with the release of your beautiful new album!
Listen to “Weighing Down”
Pathways Album Credits
Produced by Colin Linden
Recorded by Darren Magierowski & Jill Zimmermann at Jukasa Studio, Six Nations Reserve, Ontario, and Michael Stankiewicz at Pinhead Recorders, Nashville, TN
Mixed by Colin Linden at Pinhead Recorders, Nashville, TN
Production Assistant—Janice Powers
Mastered by Greg Calbi and Steve Fallone at Sterling Sound, NJ
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Sarah Morris. Photo credit: Tom Smouse.
Sarah Morris is a superfan of songs and the people who write them, and a believer that certain songs can change your life. A singer-songwriter / mama / bread maker / coffee drinker who recently released her fifth album of original material, she’s been known to joyfully sing with people in her Big Green Bathroom.
