Interview by Carol Wright | Photographer: Araya Doheny Photography | Grooming: Allison Noelle Mesa

We got to chat with the multi-talented Taylor McIntosh about his song “Tattooed On My Brain” and his advice for aspiring musicians.

What initially sparked your interest in writing and creating music?

I learned to play the piano when I was young and appreciate it now that I’m older. Music is my obsession and a great form of therapy for me.

You have worked with Tommy Marolda on multiple occasions. What have you learned from working with him?

I have learned a lot from Tommy! When it comes to music production, watching him work has helped me record music myself. I’ve seen how a song relies on a good foundation that the rest of the music can build from.

Tell our readers about “Tattooed On My Brain.” What inspired the lyrics?

My new song is about when you break up, that takes a while to get over because you can’t get this person out of your head. It’s very different than anything I have released thus far. I wanted to tell an emotional story for the listener. The real secret though is about halfway through the song. There is a mind-gripping breakdown that I’m sure people will love.

Was there anything specific that inspired the song’s sound?

Not necessarily. I wanted to see if we could take Pop and Rock and combine them to make something more unique. It’s even got some folk elements to its sound, which is interesting. I’m a big fan of Rock-n-Roll, so I had a blast putting this song together.

You’re a singer, dancer, and actor. Do you hope to be able to tie all of your passions together at some point in the future in a musical or Broadway production?

I love Broadway and watching musicals so maybe one day I can be a part of one. Les Misérables and Phantom of the Opera are my favorites. ‘’All I Ask of You” from Phantom is one of my all-time favorite songs, my family and I sing it all the time.

What advice do you have for aspiring musicians?

Write! I genuinely believe that great songwriters are the most crucial part of this industry. Your biggest tool as an upcoming musician is writing your songs. My dad and I have a saying, “If you can write songs, you can write your ticket.” If you want to become as self-dependent as possible in this industry, you don’t want to rely on others for success. That means you should learn to do a variety of things like write, sing, and being able to play at least one instrument. You should also learn to record some of your songs as well.