Artist Stories | April 18, 2017
Aaron Taylor | Photo by Matt Miller
Although he has only released two EPs (2016’s Still Life and Better Days), Aaron Taylor has been making music his whole life. Taylor, a London-based neo soul musician of Ghanaian and Antiguan heritage, grew up singing gospel music in church. But for the last year and a half, his focus has been on producing his own music, and it’s starting to get noticed. “Lesson Learnt” was recently featured in an Apple Watch commercial.
With new music in the works, I caught up with Taylor to talk about his songwriting process, why simple production is sometimes better, London’s neo-soul movement, and more.
I studied music throughout school, although it was mainly classical music. Studying popular music after this initially seemed strange to me because some of the modules on offer came across as things I thought should be innate in a musician as opposed to skills one learns and acquires. I eventually decided to study it because you can never know enough and there’s always room for improvement. There are also certain worlds that won’t look at you twice without a formal further education, too.
I think it is there subconsciously; being able to do something is cool, but understanding how and why something works is even better and allows you to experiment and even break rules. I don’t think I’ve ever consciously applied my music theory knowledge, as I still rely heavily on my ear, but at least there’s understanding there.
Keys tend to be my default instrument as I’m more comfortable there. I tend to write my simpler songs on the guitar as my chords on it are limited.
"I’m probably the least complicated musician out here."
That’s actually an ironic blessing in disguise—the lack of ability allowing you to do something simply i.e. write songs that are less complicated. I often just write over a beat I’ve made and played into Logic.
Lately I’ve been a lot more intentional. “Just Gon’ Wait” was initially much busier, but I've started to strip back a lot of my songs. That way they're not only easier to mix but easier on the ear, too. Less really can be more. The space came about as a result of just deciding to keep the bare essentials; I like to focus on a song being able to stand independent of its production, and I don’t feel there’s much of that these days.
It can vary but usually I start with my drum machine and groove to a tempo that fits my mood or the vibe I want to create. Then I usually focus on the most important motif, such as a riff, a chord sequence, or a bassline. Once I’ve got demo vocals down (most of which I normally keep), I tend to add MIDI/keyboard versions of other instruments as a guide to any session musicians I call in (brass players, for example). Then when each instrument has been overdubbed/re-recorded I just spend a lot of time mixing. I like to be hands on at all stages and mixing is often where I get new ideas in arrangements.
I’m probably the least complicated musician out here. My initial advice would be start where you are and use what you have, whether that is stock plug-ins, basic MIDI patches, or one microphone. People like to acquire more without taking the time to really understand what is already in their arsenal, particularly when it comes to gear. You’d be surprised with what you can accomplish with minimal resources. However, recognize what is within your power and what isn’t—you may be good at producing but not so good at mixing/mastering; there’s nothing wrong with outsourcing to someone better or a professional for certain things.
I’m not sure if there’s anything particular about London but perhaps the nostalgic nature of soul means it always resonates with people. London is very multicultural too so that could be it. I think certain genres of music have revivals every now and then and thankfully soul is seeing a resurgence. Hopefully one day I’ll join ranks with those you mentioned.
Seramic is a newer soul artist who I feel more people should be talking about; Poppy Ajudha is one to watch too.
I’m working on new music—it may be another EP but I’m being patient in case it turns into something bigger. I don’t want to keep performing the same old trick though, so I’m hoping to get other producers on board and have begun some conversations with some cool UK names and that will help me add a fresh angle to what I’m already doing.
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