Today we’d like to introduce you to Taylor Shuck.
Hi Taylor, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
I got started as a banjo player when I was 10 because my father wanted to learn the instrument. It turns out I was pretty good at it, and I kept it up pretty much constantly ever since. I played for pretty much every artist I could in my home state (Kentucky) like Nicholas Jamerson, a lot of jam bands that came and went, Tiffany Williams, and several others and ended up leading some bands like Hillhouse and being a co-member and singer songwriter with Mama Said String Band when the pandemic hit. Eventually I moved down to Nashville cause someone was offering a room for $330 a month and I figured that was the right deal for me to try the city out. Since then, I kinda became a hired gun learning the ropes of the industry here and am finally striking out on my own as an artist, while still doing work for people and tours with other artists. I got to tour with some really fun bands out of this city like Greenwood Rye and the War and Treaty. Now that I’m doing my own singer songwriter project in between tours and other work, I am excited to be in the process of releasing my debut album.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
It definitely hasn’t been a smooth road. Music is freelance work at it’s core, and that comes with its own challenges that you don’t have to think about when you’re an employee. There are years where I don’t have much work coming in, and I really have to get creative to make ends meet. A lot of times I will work 12 hours in a day, trying to write, book, take care of administrative duties, social media, and plan a career on top of gigging and driving to said gigs. Most of that day doesn’t pay, so it’s a lot of labor of love. Despite all that, I wouldn’t change what I do for the world.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I’m a local banjo player that is known for doing a lot of pretty fast improvisation. I definitely am known for doing a lot of “shredding” on the banjo, and probably have a lot of licks that sound more like metal than bluegrass. Outside of that, I play guitar, sing, and am an educator. I work with Bluegrass Pride, and the Bluegrass Journeymen to cultivate musical community around the nation and the world. My real passion project, though, is the opportunities I get to create and collaborate with other musicians and artists. I love sharing my songs and knowing that I’ve made someone feel safe, seen, and/or heard. I’ve had people come up to me after hearing a song at the Bluebird Cafe, or a festival slot, and thank me for describing the feelings they always felt but were too scared to say anything about. That is really special.
What matters most to you?
Community is the most important thing to me. Music is a language, and historically from its beginnings was used in gatherings. We are social creatures, and if we can help spread love and support, we can really do so much for the world around us. It just starts person to person.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://twshuck.com
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/twshuck
- Facebook: https://facebook.com/twshuck
- Youtube: https://youtube.com/twshuck
- Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/twshuck
- Other: https://linktr.ee/twshuck
