Taylor Nealey is more than just a girl with a guitar.
Since she was 13 years old, Nealey has been playing music, and now she’s reached her longtime goal of releasing an EP, thanks to years of determination. It’s a work in progress, but the projected release is sometime around May — we can expect soulful lyrics and maybe even a love song here or there from this incoming album.
“I think my drive sets me apart,” she said.
As a first-year biology student, it can be hard to balance an artistic passion with schoolwork, but she makes it a top priority. Even with the intense school workload, Nealey still cranks out time to play music. Whenever there is an opportunity for some free time, she practices.
“On average I practice two to three hours a day,” Nealey said. “No matter what, I still find time to play music.”
As a singer-songwriter hailing from Florence, South Carolina, she grew up with southern roots but draws a lot from other alternative artists, such as Tame Impala, Arctic Monkeys and her personal favorite, Kings of Leon. This diverse range of influences is what makes her sound unique, but her willpower is a driving force.
The singer-songwriter movement inspires her, and deep-range, female vocalists in southern rock, like Janis Joplin, Stevie Nicks and Haim, influence much of her style.
Nealey isn’t quite sure what the exact catalyst of her musical pursuits was, but she’s thankful to have grown up in a rock 'n' roll friendly environment. However, she is especially thankful for her mom, who is always supportive of her endeavors.
She revealed that there is no secret recipe to the song writing process — and her advice to other aspiring songwriters?
“Just go do it,” she said.
What ever she’s feeling at the moment she’ll say it — in song. Nealey is bold, and she wants to be heard.
“I love to perform for large audiences,” said Nealey. “Small ones make me feel like they’re talking about me.”
Being able to perform at Radio City Music Hall is the beacon achievement for Nealey’s confident, yet humble goals, and an EP is certainly a step in this direction.
Just like any other college student, Nealey has no idea where life might take her next, but she’s hoping that this album will be a stepping stone towards getting her signed with a bigger label.
Regardless of how hard things might get, Nealey sticks to her motto: “stopping is not an option.” Just the pure love of music is enough to cure discouragement when practicing.