Taylor McCall Talks New Album, Touring With Robert Plant Presents Saving Grace featuring Suzi Dian and More
Words by Glenn Sargeant
Photo Credit: Olivia Wolf
US singer-songwriter and guitarist Taylor McCall has released his new album ‘Mellow War’ and will again tour the UK as special guest to Robert Plant Presents Saving Grace featuring Suzi Dian. He chatted to us about his new material:
How did you want to approach the making of this record?
There’s a million ways I wanted to approach what I thought might make for a great second record but to be honest, ultimately it approached me. It poured out of me without any grand approach due to the emotion I felt from the unexpected death of my best friend Fritz.
Where did you record the album and who produced it?
Myself and my sold brother Sean McConnell at his studio – Silent Desert Studio, Nolensville TN.
Where exactly is your hometown and could you please describe it in five words?
Easley SC is my hometown! I’m proud to be from a true, honest, hardworking small southern town. It’s a place where you have to really leave and come back one day to appreciate its beauty.
You made your UK debut last year opening for Robert Plant Presents Saving Grace featuring Suzi Dian and are now coming back this month. How did that opportunity arise and do you have any interesting, funny, memorable stories from the tour last year?
It arose just like I hoped and dreamed might happen when I was a kid. As a musician/artist to get a that call out of the blue, that Robert Plant wants to take you on your first UK tour because he loves the music. There’s no words to describe getting that call.
Still doesn’t register as reality, yet it does because of the forces working through my music. I know a higher power has a hand in my music to use me as a tool to spread art that heals and touches people’s soul. It’s never been about anything superficial or material. That’s the only way it happened her honestly.
What’s your favourite song from Mellow War and what is the story/inspiration behind that song?
‘Star Of The Morning’. It fell through the sky while sitting at the piano late one night. It’s inspired by a s gospel progression I wrote. Lyrically, its title is a different name for the devil when he was cast down from heaven.
How do you look after your voice?
I wish I could say I do but the only I find that I do is rest and drink hot tea.
Do you have any favoured stage instruments, effects, pedals?
My Gibson 335. It’s my first real electric my dad got me after my first record so I could go electric.
Do you have more plans for any live shows in the UK/Europe after the upcoming tour?
Sure hope so.
What do you enjoy doing when you are not recording and touring?
Fly Fishing.
What makes Taylor McCall happy and what makes you unhappy?
Happiness to me is recording with my best friends Sean McConnell and engineer, bass player Justin Tocket.
What makes me unhappy is being pandered too. I don’t enjoy fakeness.
Feature Image Photo Credit: Olivia Wolf
Taylor McCall’s new album ‘Mellow War’ is out now on Black Powder Soul Records/Thirty Tigers.
You can purchase/stream the album here: https://orcd.co/mellowwar
For tour dates and more information visit his official website here: https://www.taylormccall.com/
