Photo © Angel Taylor & Columbia Records
Talking to Angel Taylor is like talking to an old friend – she’s totally awesome and down-to-earth, so much so that one may not have a clue that she’s the up and coming singer-songwriter whose music is enchanting ears and capturing hearts across the country. You might’ve heard her single, “Like You Do,” on your favorite radio station or perhaps you’ve seen her video on a music channel that you fancy. If not, then today is bound to be a refreshing day for you! With smooth, thoughtful lyrics and beautiful guitar and piano driven melodies, Angel writes songs that are both insightful and delightful. Not too shabby for someone who has only been playing guitar for just over a year!
The video for “Like You Do” has made it onto VH1′s Top 20 Countdown numerous times over the last two months and Angel is reaching more and more people after having made appearances on television shows like Ellen and CBS’ The Early Show. Once you hear even a sample of her sweet and heartfelt lyrics, you’ll know exactly why music lovers across the country have fallen in love with this 22 year-old musician. Please enjoy my Q&A with Angel right here:
Your single, “Like You Do,” is getting all kinds of attention across the country. I love it! Is there any ‘behind the mic’ info that you’d be willing to share about that song and what inspired it?
Well to be honest with you, it kinda came about with me and Jason Reeves and my producer Mikal sitting around and just babbling. I wanted to try and compose a song that was extremely happy and almost make believe. “Like you Do” was born and it stuck in our heads. We all just loved it!
What does Love Travels in its entirety represent to you? And how did you come up with the title?
“Love Travels” is the essence of my album. Love being something that is constantly searched for and not found in just one place, it literally travels with anyone, anywhere. And it also represents my travels (or writings) for love, so it’s kind of a play on words.
What’s your songwriting process like?
It’s never really the same. I write the moment something comes to my head and it usually happens when i’ve been moved or have gone through something. Lyrics or melody first, always depends.
When you write songs about people do you usually tell them if the song is about them? Why or why not?
Ha! In some cases it has kind of slipped out, and in others I’ve down right told them. At times, I feel like it’s just something for me to know and I won’t tell the person, but I honestly can’t think of a situation in which that actually happened, me keeping it solely to myself… so I guess I always tell them? And if I haven’t, I just haven’t. haha.
One of the things that I really like about you is how close you are to your family! How have they been reacting to your success? Do they come to your shows?
My family is pretty stinking amazing. I’m the youngest of 5 girls, and its just me, them, and mom. And they are at my LA shows. My sister LaChristian has actually come on tour with me, which was a total riot. So yeah, they’re really supportive. They’ve been a huge help in just understanding how to manage things as they come, and keeping me level headed. Its all fun!
What kinds of music did you love as kid? And how old were you when you learned to play the guitar?
I loved a ton of various Christian artists growing up. I was pretty sheltered from the mainstream scene when it came to music and pretty much everything. And I learned how to play the guitar when I was almost 21. So, it really hasn’t been that long. haha.
What was your reaction when you first realized that you were getting signed to Columbia Records?
AAAAAHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!! HAHHA. I freaked out. I couldn’t believe it, and had NO idea what it really meant to be a signed artist, let alone to Columbia. I remember looking at the side of the Room For Squares record and seeing Aware/Columbia and thinking wow, that’s gotta be pretty stinking amazing, and BAM… here I am. It’s all crazy if you ask me.
What’s your favorite song to perform live and why?
Mmm, I have a couple. But probably “Not Even Human”. It’s a song that is very close to me, as are my others, but I guess in a richer setting. I am able to kind of pour out any heartbreak that I’ve ever felt in that song, and its really therapeutic for me.
What have you learned about yourself throughout the process of recording and touring over the last couple of years?
OH tons… That i love home, and the appreciation of family and having a place to call home I guess. Also that I love people, I really do. I love meeting people and conversing and having deep conversations. I can live on a bus and be okay! haha, i didn’t know that before, and now i do! I’m learning a ton about myself musically too. It’s much easier for me to write music when i’m home.
When you get a day off from touring, what do you typically like to do?
Apparently I love shopping. I never shopped much growing up. My friends would go to the mall and I would always window shop, so I think I’m living out my teen years of never being able to afford shopping and now, doing it when i have free time. I like to work out, read, and just have some alone time. Watch a movie… you know… relax.
If you had to recommend three albums that every music lover should own, what would you choose?
AH! that’s not fair. 3?!?! Well, I won’t be marked by these forever, but off the top of my head…
Backspacer by Pearl Jam (newfound love)
Continuum or Heavier Things by John Mayer annnnnddd
The Sparrow and The Crow by William Fitzsimmons. I had that record on repeat forever.
What are your goals (personally and musically) for the future?
Musically, I hope to continue to tour around the world (eventually go international… I’m obsessed with all things international) and continue to live and through living have experiences that hopefully challenge and move people in any way they can. I hope to continue to make music with other people maybe as well. Personally, I hope to find an amazing guy to date and one of these fine days get married and have a family, and a castle, haha… I hope to fall in love.
What is something that not too many people know about you that you’d be willing to share? The quirkier the better 
Ummm, i could eat ice cream all day long. Rain or shine. I’m a dessert before dinner kind of girl….
I took my first plane ride when i was 19 years old and I can’t read music.
What are some books and movies that you’re into right now?
I actually finished a brilliant novel called Sundays at Tiffany’s by James Patterson. GREAT READ. Im also reading Knowing God by J. I Packer, amazing! I have yet to dive into Avatar although I bought it on DVD. Just saw Dear John, precious…I’m a sap for a chic-flick. Love me a good read and a good film.
