January 27, 2020

Tayla Parx gives exclusive interview to ELEVATOR.

M
Contributor

Tayla Parx’s album We Need To Talk is out now. ELEVATOR caught up with the artist in Los Angeles, California for an exclusive interview.

What is your earliest memory of music?

My earliest memory of music is singing on my karaoke machine my parents got me. I’d be singing Brian McKnight’s “Back At One” & Babyface’s “When Can I See You Again?” which is so funny looking back at me being dramatic singing along in my room.

How musical is your family history?

Most people in my family can either sing, play an instrument, or both. Not professionally or anything, but I was lucky to grow up around people with great taste in music!

Are you the first to pursue music as a career in your family?

I’m the first to pursue music professionally in my family. All the other areas of entertainment added along the way are just found through curiosity. I’ve always had such a strong support system from my family though. That’s a big part of my success.

What do you remember about the first song you wrote and recorded?

It’s hilarious to listen to older songs you’ve written because those same natural cadences and melodies are still in my music today. Obviously, the songs are way more refined, especially lyrically as I’ve experienced life a lot more with age and time.

Who was your favorite artist as a child?

Beyoncé & Erykah Badu of course! I’m from Texas, and we’ve had so many incredible artist that it’s almost inevitable to not find something you like from my hometown.

When did you decide to pursue music as a career?

My early years were really discovering and refining my craft. Then I became old enough to understand what a career vs a job was. So it was pretty natural transition from something I just loved to do to a multi-dimensional career.

How has working on music by Monáe, Grande, and Disco informed your own music?

A songwriter’s job is to come into the artist’s space in a curious and empathetic way. When you’re diving that deeply into people’s worlds, it’s inevitable that you learn something. If you don’t, you’re not listening. Throughout my life I’ve been exposed to some of the greatest artists to do it! From the conversations to watching their process & journeys the peaks and lows, I can honestly say that I’ve learned at least one thing from everybody I’ve worked with.

When did We Need To Talk being taking shape as an album?

We Need To Talk started to shape right before Dirty Computer. I was in a really free space musically, working with exciting artists that weren’t as mainstream as before, while taking the time to focus on me, the artist. Every album is kind of like me exposing my journal of what’s been happening in my world since the previous album. I can’t wait to listen back to them all when I’m old!

What was the first step towards making the live show fit your vision?

It’s key to me for every aspect of my creative to match the music. So when it comes to my stage design. I want my audience to experience my world as authentically as possible down to every detail of the visual and musical aspects.

Follow Tayla Parx

https://twitter.com/taylaparx

https://instagram.com/taylaparx


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