Another Run Around The Sun

Ben Taylor is a young man with impeccable credentials. He grew up in a musical environment second to none. With Carly Simon for a mother and James Taylor as father, a career in the family business beckoned.
An accomplished performer who’s fresh from touring Europe with Tracy Chapman, the 29 year-old singer/songwriter steps into the main frame with his new CD ‘Another Run Around The Sun’ on Independiente, October 30th. Preceded by the ‘Lady Magic EP’ on September 25th, this is the perfect time to discover an impressive talent in waiting.

Featuring 11 melody-laden tracks, all infused with an unflinching lyrical honesty, ‘Another Run Around The Sun’ is Ben’s most definitive, earthy work to date. Recorded in London’s RAK studios, it was produced by both Kevin Bacon & Jonathan Quarmby and explores an acoustic, stripped-down sound. His aching vocals strike an uncanny resemblance to that of his father’s, but with songs that explore recurring themes of “love and loss”, this is pure Ben Taylor – his own man.

“This album is a natural progression of who I am and what I’ve been through,” he explains. “I wanted to make a record that I could tour by myself if I had to - something I could live with night after night. That’s how I feel about it, because it’s honest. There wasn’t a whole lot of me in some of my earlier recordings, but this one is entirely me. It’s the most self-accepting thing I’ve ever done.”
Highlights of the LP – his 2nd, and first to be released in the UK - include the intensity of ‘Digest’ – an emotionally strong, dynamic song, the immaculate acoustics of ‘I’ll Be Fine’, the irresistible hook of opener ‘Nothing I Can Do’ and the lusciously wry cynicism of ‘Love’. Naturally, this level of public intimacy means each song wears his hear on its sleeve.

“For the most part they’re all hard to sing. A lot of the phrasing and the melodies are difficult, but on an emotional level I get choked up if I remember what I’m singing about. Although saying that, most of the time it’s a case of Dr Theatre - however sick you are, Dr Theatre will take care of it by the time you get on stage.” he observes.
P.T.O
“I wrote most of the songs when I was out on the road, but I did 3 or 4 in the in the studio,” he comments. “That’s the best way to do it. It’s impossible to be prolific and distracted if you want to finish songs. You need to take your moments of inspiration and lock yourself in a room with them.”

Influenced by a variety of artists that include Paul McCartney, Donovan and Cat Stevens, his sound blends stark originality with ambling folk, rock and soul. Encouraged and inspired by his parents, he began performing live 5 years ago and has already toured to critical acclaim.

“They’ve both influenced me equally in very different ways,” says Ben. . “I learned the guitar by teaching myself how to play my Dad’s sound. He’s the one who really, truly taught me about music, but when I started writing songs my Mom helped me in a different way.”

Although his lineage may garner attention, it’s only Ben himself who can deliver his sound. “The main thing connections like that does is actually very positive. It turns people’s heads and gets you attention, but you really need to be prepared with something worth listening too. Right now, I feel ready.”