Upcoming UK singer-songwriter Tay Temple is aiming to empower listeners by promoting self-confidence & belief through her passionately heartfelt lyrical storytelling & powerfully dynamic vocals.
Recently, Tay released the brand new single “Train” & kindly spoke to Fierce & Fabulous Revolution about her latest musical piece. Check out what she had to say below.
Hey Tay, thank you so much for this interview. Can you start by telling the readers a little bit about yourself?
Tay: Hello! No thank you for letting me be featured on your music blog and having me waffle on about myself for a bit haha. So I’m Tay, I’m 20 and originally from a tiny town in the North East called Hartlepool but am now based in Manchester after moving away from home at 16 to study songwriting and to pursue a serious career in music.
When did you first discover your passion for music?
Tay: My parents always tell me that when I was a baby I was obsessed with watching MTV and used to dance to ‘Dirty’ by Christina Aguilera in my nappy lol. So you could say it started at a very young age but I think a big influence for me was watching Disney films (especially Mulan that was and still is my favourite film) and loving to singing along to them.
I vividly remember when I was around 8 or 9 I used to re-write lyrics from my favourite songs and didn’t think anything of it until I started learning guitar when I was 12 and wrote my first original song- which was called ‘I Still Love You’ ew sooooo cringe, who do you still love hun? Your build-a-bear?
How would you describe your musical style to someone unfamiliar with your music?
Tay: I always struggle with this question cause I think genre is so blurred in music right now but I’d say alternative folk-rock, similar to Avril Lavigne’s debut album ‘Let Go’.
The vocals and lyrics are the focal point of my sound as the songs emotions live within them and I think it’s my distinguishable tone that separates myself from current mainstream artists.
I make music to empower people, including myself, so that is always the key goal. When I listen to a song I want to feel I have gained something: a feeling, a message, a story, a reminder, or even just an escape. So thats what I aim to achieve with my music.
You are about to release the brand new single “Train” on February 22nd. How did the idea for this song come together?
Tay: Train is actually 4 years old at this point (mad). I wrote it the year I moved to Manchester and was really struggling to adapt to the big city life and being away from my family and friends.
Not only that but my boyfriend at the time lived in London so I was constantly traveling between three places which was exhausting and made me feel like I didn’t have a place to call home.
Songwriting is my therapy, its a healthy way to deal with my emotions but I also get a song out of it. I always feel emotionally cleansed and productive after writing something which is how the idea of Train began, I needed the emotional release.
How would you compare the creative process behind “Train” to your previous releases?
Tay: When I think about it, ‘Train’ was the first song I wrote with a strong personal narrative behind it. Before then I was just mimicking typical song subjects; love, loss etc (well at 16 what experience do you have to write about really?) So I’d say Train marked the start of my narrative writing style which has now become a key factor in all my songs.
Did you always know that you wanted to release “Train” as a single?
Tay: Absolutely. It’s hard to explain but certain songs you write you just know that they are a single and because this track is so personal and raw to me I believed that other people would connect to it which is what every writer wants.
What does the song personally mean to you?
Tay: Train really showcases how terrifying moving away to Manchester at 16 was for me and how the constant traveling back and forth made me feel isolated with no real ‘home’. Although I’ve grown to love Manchester and all the amazing people I’ve met I still get homesick and ‘Train’ is a message to those you love that you will see each other again no matter how long it takes.
But this song also reminds me that making the decision to move away from home was by far the best decision I made for my development as an artist but also as a person.
What message would you like listeners to take away from this forthcoming release?
Tay: That feeling lonely and isolated are completely valid emotions no matter what the situation. Especially now with the lockdown keeping us apart from one another, we need to keep looking forward and make sure no one feels alone because you aren’t. But also recognise that although change is scary it can ultimately be the best thing for you in the long term which moving to Manchester so young definitely was for me.
Do you have any further musical releases planned that you are currently able to tell us about?
Tay: The next single is there and ready to go which is exciting I’m currently planning the promotional campaign for it and I’m also finishing off my debut EP which I’m hoping to release later this year but with the whole lockdown situation its hard to plan anything at the moment.
Finally, do you have a message for the readers of Fierce & Fabulous Revolution?
Tay: Keep your head up. Plenty of fresh air daily- even a trip to the local shop can have a big impact. Be kind to yourself. I’ve fallen into the trap of being unproductive and then hating myself for it. It does literally no good. Take each day at a time and acknowledge all the little positives; making your bed in the morning, having a shower, tidying your room etc. Although it can feel like that sometimes, this is not forever.
You can check out “Train” on Spotify below or on further platforms by clicking here.
Tay Temple: Website / Facebook / Twitter / Instagram.
Fierce & Fabulous Revolution 