American Roots Artist Pam Taylor Shakes and Stirs with new video “Squeeze Me”

As a music writer, it is always a pleasure discovering music that is just as captivating as the artist. Pam Taylor certainly delivers on both fronts — her music and her energy are equally infectious. Taking a couple passes through the tracks on her new album, Steal Your Heart (out September 22, 2017), one can easily be drawn in with Taylor’s mesmerizing vocals…and man, this girl can play guitar! (She learned from the legendary Debbie Davies.) Her bluesy rock vibe can be easily compared to the queen of blue-eyed soul, Bonnie Raitt, and she’s got an edge and spunk reminiscent of Alanis Morrisette. I had the pleasure of speaking with this multiple award winning artist about her success so far, her new music video, “Squeeze Me” (which she shot in a gentlemen’s club), and her future tour plans in Scotland. Read further to learn more about the fascinating Pam Taylor, and watch her new video below!

Americana Lady: What was it like learning guitar from the great Debbie Davies?  

Pam Taylor: Debbie is an amazing teacher. She’s patient, kind and has cool stories about touring with all the blues greats like Albert Collins.  I took piano lessons for 7 years when I was a child and my experience with that had me afraid to take guitar lessons but she made it easy and tailored to me.  She knew right away that I was a song writer and that I didn’t want to learn a million blues licks so I could sound like SRV, which was very surprising to her.  She said she’s never taught anyone like me before.  She would show me a lick and the next week I’d have a song written around it.  This was the case with my song Squeeze Me.  Debbie still tours heavily but during her off season she gives lessons on Skype and I highly recommend her to anyone.  She teaches at every level and is really fabulous at it.  Plus it’s cool to learn from a living legend like her.  We will always be great friends.  There’s actually Youtube video of us jamming together before I took lessons.  I’d really love to play with her now.   I’ll put that on the bucket list.   

AL: With all the past success and accolades you’ve acquired with your first two releases, Hot Mess (2012) and Dirty Southern Soul (2015), did you find it challenging to create a third album that would be equally good if not better than your previous works? 

PT: They say you’re only as good as your latest record but I’m only trying to be a better me than I used to be.   Hot Mess was my first attempt, albeit a damn good one, it did way better than I had expected.   While I was planning my next record, my band broke up and Dirty Southern Soul was a collaboration with my ex.  We really needed something to sell at our shows, so we put together some songs we had previously recorded.  Even though it wasn’t a 100% accurate description of me however, it did show listeners a different side.  I was writing love songs for the first time.  For instance , “My Johnny” is a folk song based on the ideal behind the love of Johnny & June Cash and how ours, at the time, compared.  It was actually written on Johnny’s birthday.  I feel like it was divinely inspired.   My life is full of instances like that, which have led me to this new release.  How fitting that I was going through a breakup while recording Steal Your Heart. This record fully represents me as a solo artist right now; learning how to truly love myself more so that I can move on to the next chapter.  I don’t think the other two albums come close to comparing.  A record is just that, a recording of where an artist is at the time and I’m proud of the music I’m creating now and the music I created then.   I’m looking forward to making more and seeing where it leads.  I have a drawer full of songs to record and I’m writing daily. To me, there’s a song in everything and it’s my duty to write about it. 

AL: Describe how you came up with the concept for your video, “Squeeze Me”?  

PT: The idea has morphed so many times from its original inception but the final product is something I’m very proud of.  At first I wanted to play on the idea “Squeeze Me” and smash things throughout the video but I think I was just wanting to get out some pent up anger.  It was so very satisfying squeezing the lemon at the end.  

The song is about new  relationship energy so I wanted it to be fun and sexy plus I wanted it to be crazy and over the top like the ones I remember watching on MTV.  What better place to be fun, sexy, crazy and over the top than in a Gentlemans club!  The partners at Scores in Mooresville NC were delighted to let me come in and use their facilities for my video.  It had the atmosphere I was looking for plus it came built in with dancers.  I wanted to mix pop art with the go-go feel and I think Wes Cobb at WestArtVideo delivered the perfect combination with this video.  

AL: The video seems to indicate what your live show must be like…sexy, raw and fun! Would you say that’s accurate?  

PT: My daddy always told me to use what God gave me.  I am multifaceted and this video is an accurate description of one of my many sides.   I am no angel but I have a positive message.   I am the perfect blend of sweet and spicy.  I may talk about God, energy and love,  then say f*#k in the same sentence.  (My momma loves when I say that word.) At a live show you will get to experience all aspects of my character.  Nothing is played up.  I am exactly who I am off and on stage.  I hope my realness and rawness is refreshing and allows others to feel like they can be themselves too; embracing the softness along the rough edges as well.   It’s all a fun balancing act. 

AL: What is coming up later this year for you? Any plans to tour?    

PT: They say when you make plans, God laughs so everything is subject to change,  but in August I leave for Scotland where I am playing a couple of festivals, charity events and teaching a kids songwriters workshop.  The biggest one is the Edinburgh Fringe Festival on August 25-26.   It’s the worlds largest art festival and it’s their 70th anniversary so I’m honored to be apart of it.   After that I plan on seeing as much of Europe as I can before getting back to the US to coordinate my cd release parties and subsequent tours.  There’s a possibility that it will kick off in Israel.   Who knows where it all will lead!   I’m just as excited to see as you are!  Thank you  for allowing me to share myself and my music with your readers.   

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Pam Taylor’s new video, “Squeeze Me” – cheers!  For more info:  PamTaylorMusic.com