Today we’d like to introduce you to Taylor Cole.
Hi Taylor, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
Hello! My name is Taylor Cole! I’m the Talent Buyer and GM for The East Room. I side hustle over at The High Watt and Mercy Lounge, also talent buying and… I’m in two amazing bands Tayls (singer) and Creature Comfort (Drummer). I am from Tullahoma, TN. For those that don’t know, it’s a tiny town between Bonnaroo and Jack Daniels. I’ve been playing in bands since 2008 in Nashville while attending school at MTSU.
I definitely went there with the idea of graduating with a Music Business Degree, but I couldn’t pass accounting for the life of me. At that age, I just didn’t have the proper skills I needed to participate and study for class. Instead, I switched my major to painting and ended up with a Liberal Arts Degree with a Double Minor in Mass Communication and Painting! Which, is like the most nothing degree ever, but it made sense for me!
From 2008-2012 the Murfreesboro House Show Scene was exploding. And in it, I found weirdos like me and people I could call my chosen family. I learned about DIY, Indie touring, and culture, I learned what it meant to love the live environment. That time showed me what it really means to love music and art. Slowly, more venues were opening in Nashville, giving Murfreesboro bands a reason to move up to the city and try our hand at “trying to make it.” So, around 2012 the scene moved from Murfreesboro to Nashville, and I wanted to ride that wave. I joined creature comfort on drums and started my own psych band Chalaxy (singing lead vocals) and we all moved up to Nashville in August 2012.
I worked like most musicians do, as a bartender and server at various places for years until I finally landed my gig at The East Room. I begged the owner at the time, every single week, for the three years to hire me. He said no every time until one day… he said yes! I’ve been the Talent Buyer and GM for The East Room for going on six years now. I love my job. I’ve since disbanded Chalaxy and started another band called Tayls. We just released our first full-length record, produced by Jake Ingalls of The Flaming Lips/Spaceface.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Well, I dont know I guess that depends on what part of me you are asking. I’m still working very hard at pursuing my goals and bigger dreams. It’s mostly a one-step forward two-steps back game, but I am very aware of the times when other people have helped me through uncharted territory. I attribute a lot of any personal success to other people giving their love to me.
Like in a band, you have to ask others to make it to rehearsal, shows, give up their time to promote the band, everything in some ways- revolves around the band when you’re really going for it.
I can’t do this without other people. Period. In my professional career, it took someone to give me a chance to prove myself. They showed me love and it changed my life.
I’m still struggling with that inner battle of “what does success mean to me?” and “how do I elevate myself to achieve my dreams?” or “maybe I’m already living them and I’m not aware” I don’t know, every day is a struggle for everyone, just in their own way, yeah? I just hope I can be present enough to be there for others like others are there for me.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I’m the Talent Buyer and GM for The East Room. I side hustle over at The High Watt and Mercy Lounge, also Talent Buying,.. and I’m in two bands Tayls (singer) and Creature Comfort (Drummer).
I’m most known for all three things! Talent buying, drumming, and singing! I’m always giving those projects my all, so it depends on how you know me I guess! I’m always meeting people that know me as one or all three! If I had to pick, I hope people just know me for being an amazing performer.
I give my everything in a live performance. I’m always trying to include props, large amounts of confetti and bubbles, extra band members, and the most energy you’ve ever felt from a stage.
I’m really proud of the bandmates I’ve been able to keep around and MEGA proud of the work I’ve done at The East Room. I hope I’ve helped bands and acts find their ground at the venue and give them the space to do their thing.
Is there something surprising that you feel even people who know you might not know about?
I’m a Test Tube Baby! Born at Langley Airforce Base, my friends like to joke that I’m one secret word away from turning into James Bond or something. My mom still has the little Petri dish they mixed me in… kinda gross. Lol.
Contact Info:
- Email: booking@theeastroomnashville.com and thisistayls@gmail.com
- Website: www.theeastroomnashville.com and www.thisistayls.com
- Instagram: @theeastroom and @thisistayls
- Facebook: facebook.com/taylsband and facebook.com/theeastroom
- Twitter: @thisistayls and @theeastroom
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCyJNaY2IqcRw4Kj7Kw_lzJQ
- SoundCloud: https://soundcloud.com/thisistayls
Image Credits
Houston Matthews of Slowhand Films and Jake Mathews
