Artist Spotlight - Boy Scouts
(Photo Credit - Ulysses Ortega)
We had the opportunity to interview Boy Scouts (AKA Taylor Vick)! Check out our Artist Spotlight interview with her below!
1. How did you come to pursue music and how long have you been at it?
"I started taking piano lessons briefly around age 6 or so, dabbled in a kids choir/vocal lesson type thing but was too shy to sing in front of anyone, played flute in the school band and started guitar lessons in fourth grade. I ended up playing guitar in the church worship band until I stopped going to church, which was when I was around 13 or so. That’s when I started getting into writing my own songs and recording. Music has always played a very big role in my life, I’ve never had a creative pursuit that I’ve stuck with this long -- it’s the greatest."
2. Could you walk us through your process of writing music?
"Usually it begins with me messing around on guitar, finding a chord progression that I like and singing a vocal melody on top of it. Then it’s just the process of playing and singing whatever I’ve come up with over and over again until I’ve sort of shaped it into something that feels good, writing lyrics afterwards or sometimes while coming up with the vocal melody. After the basic structure is there I like to start recording on my laptop, adding additional guitar parts and vocal harmonies, etc. That part’s the most fun."
3. What artists have inspired you in your career?
"When I was really young it was hearing artists like Liz Phair, Death Cab for Cutie and Rilo Kiley that inspired me to write music of my own. Career-ethos-wise I’m inspired by David Bazan, Frankie Cosmos, and Chris Weisman. Artists like Elliott Smith, Frank Ocean, Carole King… my list is pretty long. My brother Travis Vick and my friend Rose Droll are probably the biggest inspirations of all - two of the best musicians and songwriters out there."
4. Do you have any favorite music gear (guitars, amps, effects pedals, keyboards, etc.) that you love to use? If so, what’s the story on them?
"My favorite instrument is my nylon string guitar. It’s a 1959 Gibson C-1 that I bought when I was 16 from the used section of a Guitar Center. It was the first big purchase I’d made after saving up the money from my first job. I had no idea how special of a guitar it was when I bought it, I’m still obsessed with it 11 years later. Almost all the songs I’ve ever written have been on this guitar."
5. Can you describe the vibe at your live shows? Also, what do you enjoy most about a venue when you do a show?
"I’m not really that tuned in to my surroundings during a live show of mine to be honest - at least when I’m playing, I tend to go pretty deep inward and I think my eyes are shut the whole time. Hopefully the vibe is alright? I hope that it is! I like when the venue’s staff are friendly and give nearby food recommendations."
6. What is one thing that you want the public to know about your music?
"That I’m very grateful to all who listen, thank you!!"
7. Do you have any upcoming projects you would like fans to know about?
"Not really anything I would categorize as ‘upcoming’ — in addition to writing the next album, I’m still making acapella songs in my room and will hopefully continue collaborating with friends on different projects."