Taylor Dayne has brought us countless hits including Don’t Rush Me, With Every Beat Of My Heart, Love Will Lead You Back, Beautiful, and of course Tell It To My Heart. On the day before her new single release for “Floor On Fire,” Taylor spends some time with us to discuss her life on the road, career, favorite songs, and what’s to come! Let’s begin!
RJO: Taylor, thank you so much for taking the time to chat with us! Your 2011 is filling up quickly! What can we expect from the upcoming tour through the US and Australia?
TAYLOR DAYNE: The fans come to hear the standards and it’s my job to provide those as well as introduce new material. On this next tour, you will get a lot of the classics plus I’ll be performing my newest single, Floor on Fire!
Here is a sample of brand new song “Floor On Fire!”
RJO: We love the new song! With a major career since 1987, do you still enjoy life on the road?
TD: Life on the road, NO! It’s always fun to go to different places but it is also so exhausting especially since I have two kids and have to be there for school and after school programs. I am constantly flying back and forth. However, any given concert can be like the first. Each performance is just as exciting and satisfying as the first time. That’s what I really look forward to and enjoy. It’s a give and take experience with the audience and there’s nothing like it.
RJO: Can you share one of your funniest touring, behind-the-scenes moments?
TD: Oh, there are many stories. One story I recall there were two bodybuilders trying to get on the bus but there was not enough room for one let alone two! Then there are the bathroom stories! I am sure you can imagine! Also, what happens on the road stays on the road!!
RJO: Ha! It is officially Pride month! I am sure you know how loved you are within the LGBT community as such a strong voice who has been fighting for and entertaining us for years! When did you first know how deeply you were loved within our community and were you at all surprised?
TD: Of course I was surprised! When I saw a Taylor Dayne drag queen around 1988 performing “Tell it to My Heart,” she was looking and doing me better than I could! That’s when I knew I’d struck a chord. Before that I’d only seen mainly Cher, Bette, Barbara, Tina Turner, Madonna, and now me. I was so honored.
Taylor’s video for “Beautiful” from the 2008 album “Satisfied.”
RJO: Before “Satisfied,” you hadn’t released new studio work for 10 years. Knowing how much the music industry changed in those years, how did you have to manage your work differently in the new millennium, personally and professionally, and was it as satisfying as your early career days?
TD: I had been concentrating on film and tv soundtracks, and vocals. I also performed on Broadway in Elton John’s production of Aida. After that I spent a year in Germany recording for BMG . Now, it’s all digital singles, nobody makes records anymore and it is more difficult. There are more outlets, more saturation which also makes it more exciting. There is also more pirated music as well, but that’s just part of the music industry. It’s very accessible, which I think is a good thing.
RJO: Other than “Floor On Fire” releasing tomorrow, we also heard about an upcoming single “Right Time” that you recorded in Sweden. Is this true?
TD: Yes. I worked in Sweden for a while last year with MachoPsycho.
RJO: Awesome! We love the music that has come out of Sweden. Who is your favorite Swedish artist?
TD: Robyn!
RJO: You also just finished wrapping a film. Tell us about it!
TD: It’s an Indy film called “Telling of the Shoes,” a drama… “Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf” meets “The Big Chill.” It has a great cast and I had so much fun.
RJO: How does your love for acting compare to your love of music?
TD: Acting is like a new muscle that is less frequently exercised, so I’m having fun practicing and learning new techniques from my co-stars. I’m much more confident with my vocals, but I do enjoy acting and I can’t wait to do more of it.
RJO: Finally, what are two of your Remedy Jams?
TD: “Golden” by Jill Scott and “Just Fine” by Mary J. Blige. The words tell it all. Both are hot jams!
RJO: Thank you for all the incredible music through the years Taylor and congratulations on the new single! We appreciate you chatting with us on Remedy Jam Outburst!
TD: Thank you, Rich! It’s always my pleasure and I am looking forward to many more years together and lots of great music.
Watch Taylor’s worldwide smash hit video “Tell It To My Heart” below!
Photo courtesy of Taylor Dayne.
Interview by Rich Overton for Remedy Jam Outburst
