Taylor Dayne | Interview 03/07

Taylor Dayne Interview – A Fan's Exclusive With The Diva
By Dan Fisher
Published For "Heatstroke" - March 27th, 2007

hear the interview mp3

I have been such a huge fan of Taylor's for so long and I must admit I was so nervous. I had the idea to get Taylor to do a phone interview with me in support of her performance at the Gay Pride in Phoenix. I contacted her people and was so excited when they agreed and I contacted a local magazine and they wanted to publish my interview. Taylor was like 20 minutes late in calling but very apologetic about it. She was super nice and friendly as always. Had around 15 minutes for the interview and I tried to have a broad range of questions. Laughed and joked a little, she has a great sense of humour. I know I sounded nervous, but she is great and I hope you all enjoy this and it will be in "Heatstroke" news in Phoenix this Wednesday, 28th March 2007.

Q. We're all excited to have you coming to our gay pride on April 15th, for fans that have never seen your show what can they expect?
TAYLOR: This isn't a concert with a band but I have alot of fun. I tend to do some of the remix stuff which my gay audience is familiar with and fans of. I try to keep it up-tempo and have a lot of fun.

Q. How would you say your gay pride audience is different from your normal concert venues?
TAYLOR: [Laughs!!] Just like I said it's not a band so usually and the fans are there with bells on and are ready to have a great time.

Q. You're working on your fifth album how is that coming along?
TAYLOR: You're writing material coming from an honest place. I'm nervous, excited it's a real process because there's alot in it for me. I want to as an artist show people how you've grown and at the same time you want to carry through what their expectations are and what your expectations are and feel truthful at the same time.

Q. Are you writing alot of the songs on the new album?
TAYLOR: Yes I am

Q. I've read in past interviews you like doing ballads to show off your awesome vocals but I know alot of fans like the rocky Taylor songs like "Ain't No Good" and "Shelter" will there be any songs like that on the new album?
TAYLOR: Hmm, it's actually soulful, tends to be more R&B, but to me that's rock too. I've always had an edge to my voice, so I can't say it's not a rock record. It's not a Kelly Clarkson "Since You've Been Gone" type of thing.

Q. Can you tell us about "Crash" this brilliant new song fans say is one of the best Taylor Dayne songs yet?
TAYLOR: [Laughs] You know, it was one of the first songs we demoed up for this record and performing it live and the fans have a real love for it. What can I say, they responded to it beautifully. It's looking like it's a has to be for this record. [Laughs!]

Q. Are there any songs from your previous albums they you wish were singles?
TAYLOR: Ah, let me think back [pauses]. Well I always thought "I'll wait" should've been the 1st single though I love "Can't Get Enough Of Your Love". Also "Carry Your Heart" and I'm a big fan of "Soon As My Heart Breaks" and just think it is such a great tune.

Q. In recent years you seem to be much more happy and excited up on stage. Do you feel you're in a good time in your life?
TAYLOR: There was that period of time when I felt I was just going through the motions, which I think alot of artists get to that place. Since I have my kids you try to find different reasons for doing what you're doing.

Q. Speaking of your kids do you remember when you found out you were having two mini Daynes and not just one? Did you freak out?
TAYLOR: [Laughs] Yeah I was in New York, I thought I was having three, I didn't know what to expect. I was like OH MY GOD! OH MY GOD!

Q. Fans comment on your beauty on your websites how does that make you feel?
TAYLOR: Oh really what do they say? [Laughs]

Q. You're beautiful, awesome great looks.
TAYLOR: Well just coming from the gym, it's a lot of work. Eating right, staying on top of it and feeling good. It's a constant challenge and a balancing act but when you feel good everything around you just clicks. I appreciate the love! Thank you fans!

Q. Tell It To My Heart started it all and is now an anthem, how do you feel about that song looking back?
TAYLOR: Just like you said it started it all, it's an anthem.

Q. Love Will Lead You Back was your first #1 single, do you remember you're reaction hearing that and what you were doing?
TAYLOR: Yeah I was doing Leno. We just knew we had to get it to #1, cause there I was, I was going to sing it and I wanted him to say, "Number 1 this week is… Love Will Lead You Back by Taylor Dayne.

Q. Are you still looking for a Grammy Award?
TAYLOR: Are you kidding me, now I'm looking for an Oscar honey!

Q. You've had a hardcore fan base over the years on and off the charts, how does it make you feel to have such supportive fans?
TAYLOR: Well nowadays you need the support more than ever. With MySpace and YouTube you get to see an instant plug in with your fan base. I have to say there's nothing better than performing for your audience and these people that have stuck by you for all these years and are really willing to go the distance with you.

Q. You take time and meet and greet your fans and stay until the last fan leaves.
TAYLOR: You know I learned that watching some country artists and thought since I have the time and while it's not so crazy let's do it. Cyndi Lauper still gets out there and does it, I mean people do it.

Q. Besides the Live DVD to be released soon, you're working on a autobiography what can you tell me about that, any juicy details?
TAYLOR: Well, it's funny as you go back and really start tearing it apart, it's all anecdotal everyone wants to hear the stories of certain things. I'm working with a couple of different writers to get different perspectives. One thing I've learned is it has to be my voice, because the way I tell it is better than I think anyone else can. It's not done by any means, it's a process, it's been very interesting. I've wrote some very funny stories like when I found out I was doing the Michael Jackson tour, where I was, what I think of my road manager. Just things like that very funny, cute, then you know going back to situations, family. At first I was going to go deep into it but now I think it will be shorter. Shorter chapters to the point, fun and get onto the next one. I think it's better that way to get to it, get to the punch, but have a good time. You know 3-4 pages of little chapters are kind of fun. It's just reads fun, it's clever and it's fun.

Q. What is your definition of success and do you feel you've achieved that success?
TAYLOR: I feel like looking back I can say absolutely. I'm part of that one percent I went for the goal, I've achieved the dream and I nailed it. The goal changes every 3 to 6 years and therefore success is me sitting at home at times looking at my kids. Being at peace knowing you're at the right place at the right time and that's fleeting, that's the challenge for me feeling good, exactly who you are at that moment. That to me is success. I went for everything I've wanted.

* A big thanks to Taylor Dayne for doing this interview it was a dream come true for me – Dan Fisher