How does your cultural background influence your daily life and decision-making?
I grew up going back and forth between parents in Massachusetts and Texas, which opened my eyes to cultural differences within the country in a way that my peers didn’t seem to understand when I was a teen. This was during a time before smartphones and social media platforms. Being aware of cultural contexts and histories in general has been a helpful life-skill as I’ve grown up and experienced living in different states like New Mexico, California, Massachusetts, and now Texas again. I have the distinct pleasure to work with many different people from near and far, and be able to learn from my experiences making music or coordinating events with new people all the time, as well as long term creative collaboration and the projects that grow over a long period of time.
What does wellness mean to you, and how do you prioritize it in your daily life?
Are there specific wellness rituals or practices that you swear by for maintaining balance and
harmony?
After the pandemic, wellness has a completely new meaning to me. Our health is the most valuable thing I can think of. My husband and I dedicate time every day to exercising together, even if it’s a short workout. We eat as much veg and fiber as we can in a day, within time and budget restraints. This attention to our health has strengthened my physical vocal capabilities in my music as well as my sense of self and confidence in the music I create.
Describe your relationship with food. Are you a foodie, a health enthusiast, or a bit of both?
Do you have a favorite cuisine or dish that holds a special place in your heart?
My relationship with food has changed over time. Recently, I’ve been cooking more at home. I find I feel better when I’m eating what I call « real food » like baked squash or sweet potatoes, salads, lentils, and fish, but that’s not always possible. Grains, beans, and raw and/or cooked veggies are things I try to eat every day. I really enjoy going for Tex Mex with friends in Oak Cliff at Calle Doce, and I am especially grateful to the band leaders I work with who feed their band members after rehearsal with a home cooked meal. It’s such a nice thing to do; I’ve been spoiled by knowing great cooks.
Are you a sports enthusiast, and if so, which sports do you follow or participate in?
Do you have a favorite sports team or athlete that you passionately support?
I find it thrilling to watch an athlete use their body and skill, and to work with others as a team to accomplish a goal. I enjoy watching the Olympics, basketball, and soccer from time to time. Serena Williams has been especially exciting to follow throughout her career. She is very inspiring.
What’s your all-time favorite movie, and what about it resonates with you? Can you recall a film that has had a significant influence on your perspective or outlook on life?
Favorite? I can say that imagery from Ingmar Bergman’s 1957 film Seventh Seal is something I think about often. The film explores the idea of a disillusioned Crusader and Death playing a game of chess during the time of the bubonic plague pandemic in Sweden. There are moments in this film that capture the human condition in a beautiful and haunting way. When I lived in New Mexico, I had dear friends who worked at the Video Library in Santa Fe. The collection of VHS and DVDs was concentrated with art films, classics, retro shorts, and other oddities. We spent hours watching and learning. A film that has changed me is Come and See, by Elem Kimov. I will never be the same after watching this film, and I hope to never see it again. The director based the story on actual events he survived during WWII.
Do you have a preferred movie genre, or do you enjoy exploring a variety of genres?
A few years ago, I tried to organize an experimental film series in Dallas, TX with filmmaker, educator, and artist Michael A. Morris called DEx, Dallas Experimental Film Society. The series didn’t last long, but we were able to showcase works by Gene Youngblood, Chic Strand, Jen Proctor, Bart Weiss, among others. I enjoy experimental film because the genre is so different from comercial movies. I enjoy surreal ideas and further understanding a film maker’s perspective, character exploration, and interesting shots that play with light and shadow, the medium of the artform, itself.
What is your favorite album of all time?
This is such a difficult question to answer because with my radio show, I am always scouting for new music and weaving in tracks from albums I think are important, but don’t get a lot of radio play. I will never tire of Hunky Dory by David Bowie, but if you asked me this question again, I may give a different answer.
Tell us about your latest project
I recently released an album called, AMPHORA (Lily Taylor Music) that has 10 original tracks recorded at Elmwood Recording in Oak Cliff, Dallas, TX. The latest single is EVER NEW in collaboration with musician and producer, Black Taffy (Leaving Records). You can find the music video on youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nh7FKEwUlNU
We wanted to produce something meditative that captured the spirit of an expanding idea, something like the feeling of being on a rooftop and seeing a new perspective. I started the story with a walk on the beach at sunrise, being the most grounding imaginal space I could think of. The swells of the tide, the inhalation and exhalation of breath, the pattern of the sun, we tend to take these rhythms for granted in our everyday life. My hope is that while listening to this song, people feel a sense of calm and grounding. With each step that we take, we have the possibility to gain perspective, remember where we’ve been, and be inspired by the possibilities of where we will go.
The album, Amphora, takes its name from the ancient vessel, the amphora, which served as a container for precious liquids. In this case, I, the artist, is the vessel, delivering a musical experience that is both powerful and delicate. The themes of duality, time, and introspection run throughout the album, creating a deeply personal and introspective atmosphere.
Available on collectable LP format, custom made at Gotta Groove Records in random colors.
Amphora is also available on cassette and download code. You can order physical media through bandcamp or stream world wide.
Other projects include Karina Denike’s band, Dennis Gonzalez Legacy Band, Gerard Bendicks’ ensemble, drone LOCATIONS, and hosting BandwidthTX on KUZU LP 92.9FM Denton, TX. You can follow me on social media for updates about all the music happenings @lilytaylormusic.
Thank you for this opportunity to share with your readers!
