Today we’d like to introduce you to Taylor Graves
Hi Taylor, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
I grew up in a very musical family, so music was always a part of my life. I remember playing piano when I was very young, and everything just kind of spiraled from there. I was ALWAYS singing – to the point that most of my childhood memories are flooded with my brother reminding me how annoying my singing was and pleading me to stop (fortunately, that’s not the case anymore).
When I was 10, we moved from thailand to australia. it was following this move that I was unable to find a piano teacher that could teach me the way i needed to learn. I wasn’t ever able to read music, and my musical learning abilities were strickly by ear – this proved to be way more of an obstacle that my parents or I anticipated. After what felt like a million attempts at trying different piano teachers, i gave up. It just became more of a hassle than it was worth – i continued to play, but did so on my own. It was during my 11th year that i decided i wanted to learn to play the guitar. At the time, my mum was learning guitar, so she gave up one of her classes with her guitar teacher for me to take a stab at it – from there, there was no looking back. My guitar teacher, Rod, taught me everything I know and dealt with all of my antics of getting out of bar chords and power chords (if you know, you know).
It wasn’t really until the guitar became my instrument of choice that i started writing my own songs. I remember playing the first song i had ever written for my parents and them not believing that it was a creation of my own. Inspired by all of the ed sheeran, amy winehouse, and taylor swift Cd’s that occupied my walkman at the time, my ability to delve into storywriting through music blossomed.
Music became more and more a part of my identity, and part of me always knew that what i was aiming towards might just be possible. that my dreams weren’t just unattainable figments of my childhood imagination.
During my adolescence, i took to the streets of perth australia with a rig that allowed me to power an amp 100% remotely. i then started busking, and that was how i made enough money to buy my first electric – an american made fender stratocaster. it was on the streets that i gained my confidence and my stage presence – it was there that i realized what it was that i truly wanted to do with my life. but part of me wanted to stay “realistic” so i stuck to the instruction manual that most 17 year olds stick to, and applied to college to get my degree.
Next stop was Texas A&M University, where i attended for 5 years and obtained my Bachelors of science in animal science with specific focus on large animal nutrition and equine science. during my time at A&M, i threw myself into the music scene. it started with open mics, and very quickly turned into paying shows, which turned into opening for some big names, which turned into me in front of Katy Perry, Lionel Richie, and Luke Bryan, singing an original song and auditioning for American Idol. I remember finishing my song and looking up at the judges – they all said their piece, and each gave me a yes and a golden ticket to Hollywood Week. It was in THAT moment that i knew i could do it – that my dreams weren’t impossible, that I had what it took. it was there that i said to myself “okay, Taylor, full speed ahead – we’re doing this”.
Following my graduation in the middle of COVID, i wasn’t really sure where i was going to end up or what i was going to do. I got offered a dream job up in Montana working with horses, and when the time came to make a decision, I couldnt do it.
I knew in my heart of hearts that if I was going to bet on anything in this lifetime, it was going to be on myself. It was going to be on my guitar, and it was going to be on the future I had always wanted for myself. So I stayed in College Station, got a crummy part time job, and started gigging. one gig a week turned into 2, then four, and then even more. The stages got bigger, the crowds got louder, and before i knew it, i needed a band to back me if i wanted to bring my music to the next level.
That was around the time i opened up a show for the Lucas Johnson Band. it was that night, that i met my now best buddy, roommate, lead guitar player, and musical partner. Lucas took me to heights that I didnt even know i was capable of reaching, he made my playing better, inspired me to be a better songwriter, and showed me how much fun you truly can have on a stage with the right people standing beside you. I knew from the start that I was going to chase the hell out of this dream, and I knew the moment i played with lucas, that he was going to be by my side, and we were going to achieve the unthinkable together.
Following the forming of our band (Taylor Graves & The Tombstone Trio), we got to play some COOL shows, and i got to fall in love with a completely new side of music that i didnt even know existed – the family aspect of being in a band. Dave, Drew, and Lucas became my family and spending time with them whether it was at the studio recording, practicing new tunes, in a room writing something new, at a bar just shooting the shit, or on stage playing a show became my favorite thing to do.
and that leads us to where we are now. with 3 singles dropped as a band, opening for some HUGE names, and playing venues i never thought i would step foot in, let alone being on stage at.
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?
it hasnt been even remotely close to a smooth road. like i stated, my band is my family, and just like any family, there are some ups and downs. Whether it be physical injury, medical issues, financial issues, or family issues, we have all gotten through it together. there have also been some changes in the make-up of my band which were particularly heartbreaking and very tough to get through and get over – hell, i still dont think i’m truly over it. losing a band member felt like the worst heartbreak i had ever gone through. but we got through it, and we all remained friends.
People ask a lot how we do it, how we tough it out when times are tough and things aren’t going our way – and its simple; the music. the music is our medicine – it’s our language of which we are all fluent – its how we see and interpret the world, our feelings, our highest of highs, and our lowest of lows. and honestly, i wouldnt have been able to do any of it without Lucas.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
Aside from being a musician and songwriter, i am so incredibly lucky to also have a job that is quite easily my dream job. most people are lucky to find one passion in life and live it out. i somehow hit the lottery twice and found two. and they both go hand in hand.
I work at Allens Boots in the custom boots program. it’s there that i get to bring peoples visions to life and let my creativity run wild. I have met some incredible people along the way and owe more than i can explain in words alone to the Allens Boots family. they have been nothing short of outwardly encouraging and supportive of my music endeavours and very quickly became my family away from home. After living in 3 different countries my entire life, I now feel like i finally have somewhere to call home – and it’s Austin.
Any big plans?
I plan to continue to go full steam ahead with my music career and my work in the boot industry with Allens Boots. While i dont know what exactly constitutes “making it” these days, i work my dream job, and play music that i love with people that i love even more. I honestly dont know how it gets much better than that.
This year, the band and i are putting the pedal to the metal and recording a bunch of tunes that will be coming out VERY SOON so stay tuned
Pricing:
- contact tgravesmusic@gmail.com for booking prices
- ticket prices for shows are dependent on shows
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.taylorgravesmusic.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/taylorgravesmusic/
- Facebook: https://facebook.com/taylorgravesmusic
- Soundcloud: https://open.spotify.com/artist/5TppcgjxwMYMraSx1Uj1zD
Image Credits
all pictures in black/red (the cool ones) are taken by Kevin Pool
