The vast majority of musical artists are plagued by their influences; either there’s a huge disparity between their sound and that of their role models, or its a cookie-cutter copy of their sound. But when you end up with something new that still has subtle hints of those inspirations…that’s what separates the milquetoast many from the truly talented. Take a listen to Taylor Rae, whose inspirations include Steely Dan, Bonnie Raitt, Simon & Garfunkel, Carole King, Jewel, and Sheryl Crow. Despite that hodge podge, Rae’s style comes across more like a blend of Grace Potter and Norah Jones.
Since moving from Santa Cruz to Austin in 2018, this singer-guitarist has charmed listeners and show-goers alike with her sophisticated take on jazz, blues, folk, and rock. Last year she proved her wisdom beyond her years with her debut LP Mad Twenties, and this Sunday at 7PM she’ll tote some of those twelve tracks onstage at The Ballroom, along with Sneaky Peaches and the Fuzz. So while we navigate our own Mad Twenties of a pandemic decade, keep Taylor Rae’s most charged songs in tow, especially her dynamic, harmony-heavy folk-rock fulmination, “Never Gonna Do”.
–Jack Anderson
