Rock. Funk. Soul. Singer-songwriter.
With a soon-to-be released 2nd album, The Hang produced by longtime Los Lobos member, Grammy winner, and Rock and Roll Hall of fame member Steve Berlin…
Y’all sold on this show yet? Dig in for a little more of the skinny-
Meet Taylor Scott and his band from Denver, Colorado- our opener for the 2022 Aiken Music Fest series on May 7th at beautiful Highfields in ever-charming Aiken, SC.
At the age of 28, make no mistake in the fact that Taylor is a seasoned veteran of the road. He began what is now a blossoming career at 18 with names such as Otis Taylor and Warren Haynes. Heading down from the mountains to the Southeast, he’ll begin this run with a gig at 420 Fest in Atlanta on the weekend of April 29- May1, ultimately bringing him into the Carolinas and to the AMF stage in Aiken on the first weekend of May: the 7th.
“Taylor Scot is the epitome of an old sou. He seems to know a little about everything, has his OWN sound as a vocalist AND a guitar player, and is full of good ideas and advice. I always look forward to making music with Taylor and this record is BAAD to the BONE.”
-Eric Benny Bloom (Lettuce)
Self-described as jam/funk, high energy funk and groove, psychedelic blues, with a major focus on building the connections of community that only live music can create wherever they play, Taylor brings with him some serious horsepower in the band: himself on lead and vocals, Jon Wirtz on the Hammond B3, Eric Imbrosciano on drums, and South Carolina native and Columbia resident Todd Edmunds on bass.
With musical chops like playing with Otis Taylor, Warren Haynes, Leftover Salmon, Lettuce, Keller Williams, and Los Lobos, Taylor brings a depth and presence to his songwriting and music, furthering his love of being “on the road again.”
Touching on that period that none of us really want to discuss that began in early 2020, I asked Taylor if that allowed him the ability for a deep dive into production of his second album? “You can hear the half of the album that’s covid, and the other half of the album that’s a celebration of being back out on the road and celebrating that sense of community and making new friends- there’s a definite ying and yang to the songwriting and the music.”
His 3 songs that have already been released on Spotify in support of the new album are:
‘Bleeding Out’ which he described as Angry Funk
‘Throwback Grooves’, a Mellow Soul earworm
‘Dance All Night’ which may be a new genre for us at AMF: Punk Country
Debuting between Taylor hitting the road in Colorado on April 23rd and him arriving on the AMF stage in May will be the 4th release off of “The Hang”: ‘Shade Tree American Dream’, which he’s promised to melt faces with in Aiken. Grateful Web just premiered Shade Tree American Dream on 4/25!! You can stream it ONLY here. The single will be available on all your favorite platforms on 4/29
The title of the coming 4th song release brought to mind the name of the bar John Prine talked about opening in his song ‘When I get to heaven’. Which immediately lead Taylor to reveal that his cocktail of choice is the hook from the song, along with Prine being one of his very favorite songwriters. Which segued right into the topic of influences: The aforementioned John Prine, Guy Clark, Townes Van Zant, Jerry Jeff Walker, Alan Toussaint, and Bill Withers. And they wouldn’t be an AMF act without a deep love and appreciation for the Allman Brothers Band.
Weird like looking in someone’s underwear drawer you barely know, but slightly different, I got the hot wash of his personal current playlist with the added bonus of a couple great recommendations with which I wasn’t yet familiar: Buena Vista Social Club- classic Cuban influences and sounds, Puerto Rican salsa music, the legendary Kris Kristofferson, Robert Bradley’s ‘Blackwater Surprise’ album (definitely spin this one), and Old School/Outlaw country. With the addition of the Cuban Music and the soulful blues from Bradley, my playlist has mirrored his quite a bit since he was gracious with his time when we spoke.
Feeling like I was talking to a new friend before our chat on the phone ended, someone with whom I’d break bread or share a beverage, we agreed to try and do so while the band is in Aiken.
Taylor’s theme that carried through in our chat is his love of the road, making connections and building community where he plays, and striving to make that connection strongly enough that he sees them again down road.
On the road.
Again.
Come catch his show at Highfields on May 7th. You won’t be disappointed.
He may even make you a cocktail. Vodka and…(don’t miss this show if you can finish the lyrics)
*AMF admin note: Aiken Music Fest is a 6 series summer concert series held at the beautiful Highfields Equestrian and Event Center in Aiken, SC. Regional and National touring acts visit one Saturday a Month from May through October, providing music lovers with an uber-casual atmosphere to enjoy live music, friends, family, and one of the best sunsets in Western SC. Bring a chair or blanket and spread out on the 6 acres of manicured grass, enjoy food from local vendors, as well as browse handmade goodies from local crafters. Well-mannered, LEASHED dogs are welcome.