Lissy Taylor is an up and coming Northern artist who has her feet dipped in a number of different genres. I loved her latest release Healer and wanted to find out more – read on below if you liked her sound!
By Jane Howkins
You recently released a track titled Healer, which we reviewed. What can you tell us about the song?
Healer draws on the way loved ones pull together through thick and thin but also the strain it puts on relationships; people we love often get the best and worst of us. It’s inspired by people who go above and beyond to help others, rooted in selflessness and unconditional love.
The concept for the video focused on heated emotions between actors portrayed as mother and daughter. This was chosen to highlight the more complex emotions. Healer was written during Covid, where so many people were struggling including my own family. I was inspired by how many acts of kindness were done by people to help others.
How has the reception been for the track and where can it be purchased?
Healer has been received really well, lots of radio plays and press coverage. I’m really grateful to everyone that’s listened to it. It is only available online right now, and is on all platforms for streaming/download – you can watch the video on my YouTube channel – Lissy Taylor.
Has the pandemic hindered your work much?
My first release was in January 2020 and then the pandemic hit, so most of my releases have happened during the pandemic. It’s been difficult as all of my gigs for 2020 got cancelled and a similar thing happened during summer of 2021. I did my first headline UK tour in November/December 2021 which was amazing. I’m really glad to see that things are getting back to normal and live music and festivals are back.
Do you plan to release any more singles in the near future?
I will be releasing another song this autumn. Keep your eye on my socials for the announcement.
Have you started writing for an EP or an album?
This year I decided to release singles, I’ve released two EPs previously – Wildflowers in 2020 and Undercurrent in 2021. I’m continuing to write songs and think about projects for next year.
Your music has a melodic pop-rock sound. What/who influences you most as an artist? What have you been listening to recently?
I’ve created a playlist titled Stuff I’m Listening To on my Spotify page, there are some established bands on it like Arctic Monkeys. Wolf Alice, The Snuts, Liam Gallagher and Pale Waves as well as some emerging bands like The K’s, Candid, The Rah’s, Serotones and Empire Police.
You’re originally from Stoke but were based in Manchester for a time. Where are you based now and what is the local music scene like?
I’m based in Stoke-on-Trent but I am still in Manchester pretty regularly for rehearsals as my band is based there. The music scene in Stoke is definitely growing, we have quite a few music venues – I recently saw Circa Waves at The Sugarmill and The Lottery Winners at Stoke’s Your City Festival. I’ve performed at both the Sugarmill and The Underground, which are both in the City Centre (Hanley). There are a lot of quality bands emerging from Stoke too, you should have a listen to Underclass, Psyence and Camens who are indie/rock and Darla Jade (pop), all supported by Rob Adcock at BBC Introducing Stoke.
Do you have any UK tour dates lined up?
I’m in the process of sorting gigs out right now. You can see me at The Troubadour, London on 1st October, Manchester City Square Live, the Etihad Stadium pre-match for the Champions League game on 2nd November and The Underground in Stoke on Friday 9th December. All gigs will be announced on my socials and on my website.
What can people expect from one of your shows and why should people come and see you
perform live?
I write all my own songs from experience and how I’ve felt at the time, so my songs are honest and full of emotion, which carries though into gigs. I’ve been playing my new release since 2021, so you will probably get to hear some new songs at a gig. The show usually starts pretty high energy with She’s A Stunner.
Any last words for the fans?
I would love to meet new people at gigs, so give my socials a follow (you can find them on my website www.LissyTaylor.com) and come say hello. I really appreciate all the support so far.