ANDY HOWELLS chats to singer/songwriter SAMUEL TAYLOR

YOU were originally the frontman of Dead like Harry so what prompted you to go solo?

I spent a long time working with DLH and we made some great music. Our album Know the joy of Good Living sold over 5,000 copies and took us touring around the UK playing major festivals. It was a fantastic time but it came to a natural resting point around the summer of 2010.

I then made a move to London and in relocating my life started going out playing open mic nights around the capital. After a few years of this I had found a sound and written some songs. It felt like the right time to start my solo project – something I always felt would happen at some point.

The time just seemed right.

What differences have you found from working in a band to been a solo musician?

Working in a band is a great collaborative experience and can be so creative bouncing ideas back and forth between each other. Working solo is a more introverted, creative process and has led me to explore different avenues. In exposing the lyrics and stripping back the musicality I feel I have found a raw honesty in the songs which I feel really close to.

What’s the inspiration behind your new EP Some Nobody Told Me?

The new EP was written and conceived over a few years. The songs grew together gradually and talk about situations in my life over these last few years. The title track was written last and actually has a leaning to a more dylan-esque lyric, a cryptic story, which winds through different situations I found myself in over the last few years.

You worked with Nerina Pallot, what was that like and did Nerina offer you any advice as a singer/songwriter?

It was a great experience working for Nerina. We did a lot of big shows and got to work some huge stages.

It gave me a real insight into the inner workings of the live music scene on a level i had not experienced before. Nerina has always been a huge supporter of me as a songwriter and has invited me to support her on two of her UK tours subsequently.

What else can we expect from Samuel Taylor this year?

The album is currently being recorded and will hopefully be released early next year. I’m also hoping to release another EP before the end of the year.

I am currently touring in support of The Temperance Movement and there will be many more shows to follow over the coming months.

Will you be visiting Wales anytime soon?

I was in Cardiff in May playing a show and loved the city and all it had to offer.

It felt like a real creative hub of the UK and I met some real music lovers there too.

Hopefully it won’t be too long before I’m back again!

  • Keep in touch with Samuel Ta ylor online: samuel-taylor.co.uk