Heart & Soul of a Singer
An artist is someone who has a special and unique connection to the inner self bringing to the world a deep emotional releasing that can be felt at the core. Madison Tayor powerfully expresses feelings and the relationship between the human experience and the unspoken parts through her lyrics and songs. She grew up with natural talents and an undeniable desire to bring messages of hope, love, and a richness in life’s journey through music. Madison is wise beyond her years, bringing a sense of understanding of the complexities of human emotions with an intention for joyful and happy outcomes.
I am honored to bring to you the incredible artistic capacity of Madison to lure you into her story where you can envision the unfolding of her life as a singer/songwriter and the essence of her songs weaving through your own mind, body, and spirit. You will be inspired by Madison’s capacity to grow and learn and will be motivated to listen to her music for opening yourself to embrace the idea we are never alone, love endures and there is something bigger than us guiding with a helping hand.
Eileen: You were born and raised in Northern New Jersey. What captured your interest in music and at what age did you start? Was it singing, a musical instrument or both that began your music career?
Madison: I believe music was woven into my being the moment I was created. My mom claims that “I began to sing long before I could talk,” like the lyrics say in the Abba song “Thank You for the Music.” Parents tend to exaggerate when they’re talking about their kids, but I’m willing to believe she was spot-on with this remark. Music has always been an empowering outlet for me, and singing is the best way for me to process my faith, relationships, and life experiences.
As a young girl, I loved watching Disney movies repeatedly until I had most of the songs memorized. Whenever I felt confident enough to sing my favorite songs in front of others, I would stand on the living room radiator and perform impromptu concerts for my family. “Part of Your World” from The Little Mermaid was my go-to since I adored Ariel and wanted to be just like her when I grew up (not much has changed)! When I wasn’t performing in front of others, I would dress up as my favorite princesses and wander around the backyard, singing to my heart’s content. I have been, am and always will be a daydreamer.
Aside from singing, I started piano lessons when I was in first grade which enabled me to effortlessly write and compose my own songs by the time I was in middle school. Learning the guitar in high school broadened my songwriting perspective in how the unique timbre of guitar strings inspired different melodies and soundscapes in my head compared to the more muted timbre of piano strings. I remember endlessly complaining to my mom about having to take music lessons after school when I wished I could be doing other things, but I’m grateful that she saw the long-term value in learning musical instruments and encouraged me to cultivate my artistry and musicianship at a young age.
Eileen: Did you have a dream about being on a stage one day? Was there a vision and do you believe your intention and visualization have helped to create it into reality?
Madison: I dreamed of performing onstage as soon as I was able to comprehend the courage, excitement, and creative overflow that accompany those who take on any platform. I particularly enjoyed watching people perform in plays or musicals and challenged myself to try out the world of drama. When I was in sixth grade, my local high school had auditions for “The Sound of Music,” and I received the role of Brigitta. It was so much fun to play her character since I personally resonated with her stubborn personality and understood why she liked to ask tough questions and tell the truth, even when it made others feel slightly uncomfortable or intimidated. It reminds me of the quote by Cesar A. Cruz: “Art should comfort the disturbed and disturb the comfortable.” Like Brigitta, I want to make sense of the complexity of the world and am not afraid to address tough questions and emotions through my music.
Performing with actors who were more experienced on the stage was a stimulating learning experience for me, and I challenged myself to continue auditioning for productions beyond my school. I received a new confidence that I had never possessed before. It felt like I had become a part of a bigger family or tribe, like the unspoken, universal group of artists and performers. The stage has been calling to me ever since.
Eileen: The song, My Dying Heart, is based on a personal experience. You say, “It was the first time my songwriting process seemed to be in control of me rather than the reverse.” Please share what was different for you writing in such a way that the lyrics flowed through you.
Madison: I usually write songs that reflect my past relationships where I assume the creative control of looking back and dissecting what went wrong and why things did not ultimately pan out the way I had hoped. “My Dying Heart” was my first songwriting experience where I did not have that kind of control. That is, I did not start writing the song from the view of looking back. The song began to blossom while I had stepped into a new relationship. What was also unexpected was being unable to get past my first verse while songwriting. There was no clear hook in my head or chorus to write down and work upon, so I decided not to force the lyrics but let them filter through me at the right time.
It was when the relationship ended that the rest of my song suddenly unfolded, like a flood of emotions breaking the dam that was the writing block in my mind. Originally, I had started writing the untitled song with a hopeful mindset toward my muse, but my art revealed what my subconscious knew to be true; the relationship was doomed from the start, as reflected in my lyric, “cause I was never yours and you weren’t mine.” Although it did not feel like I had the usual control of my writing process, I was grateful for how the song evolved at its own pace, affirming my hidden intuition and complex emotions.
Eileen: You run a lifestyle blog to share your unique experiences, thoughts, and recommendations. Categories include Food, Lifestyle, Reviews, Thoughts, and Travels. What is most important to you when sharing your blog articles? Do you believe life experiences teach us about ourselves and is this reflected in your songs?
Madison: I hopped on the blogger bandwagon when I was in high school, searching for a way to artistically express myself on the Internet without having to rely on addictive and superficial social media. Lifestyle blogs have a special place in my heart for the way that they make the digital world appear a little less overwhelming and exclusive. I remember looking up reviews for a brand of lipstick and discovered that I was on a website created by a teenager like me. The way she wrote her blog posts was informal and down to earth which appealed to me since it felt like I was reading a friend’s honest review of the makeup I was interested in. I decided to carve out my own personal corner of the Internet by launching my blog, “Madison Taylor” in the fall of 2015.
I aim to write eloquently but informally as possible whenever I share anything on my blog which is the same perspective that I have toward my songwriting. Just like the first blogger I discovered in high school, I want to write to my readers as if I am their distant, but caring friend who wants to fill them in on my life experiences and personal thoughts.
Out of all the things that I post on my blog, I particularly enjoy sharing my travels. Writing about my experiences abroad and assorting my favorite pictures like they are personal highlight reels are fun outlets for me. I post less frequently now that I’m focusing on my music career, but storytelling and photography are hobbies that will always appeal to me. I embarked on a trip to Europe this summer, so I look forward to doing a blog post wrapped around the places that I visited and the summer dresses I wore.
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