It’s been a year since I released my debut album “Lady of Arbor Hill” so I wanted to celebrate with an anniversary party at the very place - Arbor Hill! It was a memorable night of performing songs and hobnobbing with loved ones. Thank you to All Roads Vegan for the beautiful cake based on my album name. It was almost too pretty to indulge in!
My favorite party game was making mad libs out of my song lyrics. Some of the results were hilarious! For example, instead of the invitation to "come over to Arbor Hill," my friend changed it to, "come over to Sesame Street." Another lyric from my song, "Golden Image," was originally "you're the one that I adore." The mad lib version became, "you're the one that I abhor," which still rhymes but obviously denotes the complete opposite emotion. "Violet's Library" morphing into "Violet's Supermarket" gave me a good chuckle.
I wanted to host a music trivia game so I used a free powerpoint template from online and included topics about my album, Arbor Hill and general pop music facts. It was a great way to interact with my guests and most of them answered the questions correctly. They were so close to guessing the right number for one particular question: "How many arbors are currently on Arbor Hill?" One lady shouted out 22 which was just one away from the correct number: 23! Can you tell my parents love to landscape? Every year, they stop at antique stores and find more arbors to set up around their 5-acre property. It truly looks like a beautiful "refuge" as I describe in my song, "Arbor Hill."
Another fun activity was holding up music-themed props and snapping polaroids. Some of the props included Taylor Swift lyrics; one circle had a blank to fill in its saying: "It's my ______ era," based on Taylor Swift's Eras tour. I wrote "Arbor Hill" on the line to go along with my album name, the place where I had written and recorded my songs. The "Hi Key" setting on my instant camera worked best for the nighttime, artificially lit setting. Thank you to my family for hanging up the lovely string lights!
You can listen to my debut album "Lady of Arbor Hill" on any music streaming platform. Every listen and share helps my career. Thank you for your continued love and support! If it's your first time checking out my album, be sure to tell me which song is your favorite and resonates with you the most. 🤍
“Give you my grey, I'm not afraid, you have always loved me either way…”
My friend, Serj Gomez, has released his hard rock song today and I'm excited to promote it! We recorded “The Grey” at Backroom Studios last year in Rockaway, NJ. Serj and I sang the duet with emotional expression while our drummer Fabio Alexandre Silva and the guitarists from the band, The Broken Vinyls, provided the gritty instrumentation.
Natalia Vázquez originally wrote the song and contributed vocals for some of Serj's past songs like “Chillin'” and “Worried Mind.” It was healing for me to sing her lyrics because I personally resonate with the themes of the song. I was curious to see how Chat GPT would describe the song; this was its response:
"Sonic Character: This is a hard rock ballad with emotional gravity. Thunderous drums, heavy distorted guitars, and anthemic vocal interplay drive the track. The production balances grit and melody, leaning into post-grunge or alt-metal textures with cinematic ambition.
Lyrical Themes: A deeply vulnerable duet about emotional complexity in a relationship. “The Grey” becomes a metaphor for shared pain, ambiguity, and resilience. The call-and-response vocals mirror an intimate dialogue — one that’s fraught with doubt, longing, and a plea for reassurance.
Vibe & Imagery: Imagine standing in the middle of a downpour, shouting confessions into the storm. The song conjures visuals of dim skies, clenched fists, and two souls holding on through emotional wreckage."
That's quite a description! I would agree with the stormy weather hanging overhead as you listen and the intimacy of the call-and-response vocals. I'm proud of Serj for bringing the song to its completion with so many talented musicians contributing to its sound. It's the first time I've recorded a hard rock song, and I'm pretty sure it won't be the last… After listening, one of my friends suggested I record a full-length rock album. I could see myself doing that, but for now, I want to focus on developing my ambient, ethereal soundscapes for my next release. Hard rock has a place in my heart, though!
“The Grey” Official Lyrics
[Verse 1: Serjj] She gave me the grey today I don’t know what to say It started to rain on her knees Kiss her until she sleeps
[Chorus: Madison Taylor] Give you my grey, I’m not afraid You have always loved me either way Don’t hesitate, I’ll be okay But when things get bad, will you still stay?
[Verse 2: Serjj & Madison Taylor] Serjj: You're way too good to me Madison: I can decide to leave Serjj: Don’t wanna set you free Madison: You wouldn’t care to see Serjj: You are my everything Madison: Time passes by Both: But the pain resides in me And I don’t know how to breathe anymore
[Bridge: Madison Taylor] Hands that won’t reach, mouth that can’t speak But I see the way you look at me You wanna run after the sun I’ll be damned to be the only one to
[Chorus: Madison Taylor] Give you my grey, I’m not afraid You have always loved me either way Don’t hesitate, I’ll be okay But if things get bad, will you still stay?
I've got some exciting announcements to share with you all!
Firstly, my guitarist Serj is releasing his song called “The Grey” on May 16. I had the privilege of recording vocals for his duet at Backroom Studios last year. It's the first time I've contributed my voice to a hard rock kind of song so I'm excited to officially add the genre to my singing portfolio. Click here to pre-save his song!
As for my upcoming performances in New Jersey, on May 17 my band and I will be participating in Montclair Porchfest. It's a unique kind of music festival where homeowners allow their porches to become temporary stages so local bands can fill the streets with live music. We'll be stationed at 252 N Mountain Ave in Montclair, and I'll be singing my songs at 12 pm. Two bands will be performing after us so I look forward to the networking opportunities.
In June, my band will be performing at Herbal Root Organics once again. We were the first musical act to grace the apothecary cafe's studio space where yoga sessions and other workshops are usually hosted. Lauryn, the business owner, does an amazing job at preparing a healthy menu for her live events which is why we decided to call our event “Boards and Ballads.” She will provide the veggie and charcuterie boards and I will sing the ballads - dinner and a show! We'll be performing on June 7 at 6 pm. If you'd like to order a ticket (only 25 people can fit inside the studio), then click here to be transferred to her website.
My friend, Katrina Jenisch, took amazing pictures of our first show in April. I'm grateful she could capture the magic of our live performance. I enjoyed using my new vocal pedal from TC Helicon to enhance my voice with echo, reverb and correction. I placed the pedal on top of my Focusrite interface which is fitting because they match in their similar shades of red.
I'd love if you can make it to one of my upcoming shows! Definitely stream “The Grey” when it releases, it is such a thoughtful (and heart-wrenching) song and I'm happy I could be a part of its recording. I personally relate to its song-lyrics so it was a meaningful project for me.
Enchanting musical soundscapes, deep-colored textures, and unbridled romantic expression. These are the elements of my debut album "Lady of Arbor Hill", fondly named after my childhood home where over 20 arbors cover the range of a 5-acre property in rural New Jersey. My album officially released on the last day of summer, September 22.
I call myself the Lady of Arbor Hill because I relate to the Lady of Shalott as described in Alfred Tennyson's poem. I weave my songs into musical tapestry, but I'm slowly becoming "half sick of shadows" where love is unrequited and paradise is unreachable. One day, I fear “the curse” will come upon me as well.
Ever since I was born, my parents have dedicated their time and effort into creating gardens that are beautiful enough to be compared to the idealistic Garden of Eden. I often think about that ancient garden, the place where we once experienced close intimacy with God. It is a universal truth that we all long to return to our original home. To the paradisal bliss we were designed to enjoy with each other. My album echoes this homesickness through my songs of heartache and longing.
"Lady of Arbor Hill" is a multi-genre album covering pop, soft rock, cinematic and singer-songwriter. The album listening experience should feel like experiencing a summer day. The songs begin with a bright and upbeat atmosphere, but as dusk settles in the songs become more somber in mood and slow-moving in tempo. As if the last day of summer is coming to a bittersweet end...
It is my hope that by listening to "Arbor Hill", you will feel like you have been transported into its lush and dreamlike gardens. Each of my romantic songs are woven with different elements of my childhood home. In one song, there are sounds of wind chimes hanging from the sugar maple tree in my front yard. Playful notes of the piano in my living room are heard in another composition. Familiar echoes of birds chirping, the sounds I wake up to every morning, wax in and out of my other songs. The more time that you spend listening to "Arbor Hill," the more you will understand how these peaceful settings and colorful landscapes have influenced my artistic sound.
"Beauty will save the world..." I have recently been meditating on this quote by the Russian novelist Dostoevsky. I believe the creation of my album is a reflection of that hopeful perspective - that despite the heartbreaks, tragedies, losses and broken dreams of this world, a redemptive mindset can make all the difference. Writing the songs on my album and bringing them to life through audio and video production has felt like transforming my grief into beauty. I hope that my music inspires my listeners to find the beauty that is around them and allow its healing essence to transform them as well.
Every summer, my family and I visit my mom's siblings and cousins in Ohio. When we stop at Portsmouth for the day and go antique shopping, I always pick up a new book from the second floor of the antique mall called Ghosts in the Attic. This summer, I chose "The Art of Loving" from Erich Fromm. It was the perfect book for me to read as I was reflecting on the release of my album and the concept of it.
In his book, Erich Fromm describes the experience of separateness and how it arouses anxiety in each of us. He claims that our separateness is the source of all anxiety because “being separate means being cut off… to be helpless, unable to grasp the world - things and people - actively,” and that it arouses our shame and the feeling of guilt. He then references the biblical story of Adam and Eve to support this claim.
When Adam and Eve have eaten of the “tree of knowledge of good and evil" and have disobeyed (because there is no good and evil unless there is freedom to disobey), they emancipated themselves from the original animal harmony with nature and saw “that they were naked." This made them ashamed, not just because they weren't clothed, but because they became aware of their separateness, "and of their difference," Erich Fromm describes, "inasmuch as they belong to different sexes." As long as they are separate, Adam and Eve - men and women - are strangers to each other. The concept of love and its sacrificial and selfless nature has not yet been understood or acted out. Fromm says it is man’s deepest need then to overcome this separateness, “to leave the prison of his aloneness” (pages 7-8).
There is no shortage of writing songs about heartbreak. Ever since Adam and Eve were sent away from the garden of paradise, love has been sought to solve our problem of loneliness. Most of us, if not all, misinterpret love to be lust and this is why we are always left dissatisfied and heartbroken. Erich Fromm explains the false view of love that is founded in Western culture.
“Love is viewed as the outcome of a spontaneous, emotional reaction, of suddenly being gripped by an irresistible feeling. In this view, one sees only the peculiarities of the two individuals involved - and not the fact that all men are part of Adam, and all women part of Eve,” (page 47).
As a woman, I recognize that all women come from Eve and so I incorporate this biblical view into my songwriting. I describe my romantic interest as a fixed object of attention, as if he is Adam himself who I am designed to love and serve. I lament the complications of our separateness, and my effort to love him in order to overcome his inability to. I try to prove that my love and devotion are not just some overwhelming feeling or infatuation but an active decision to reach out and commemorate our connection through my writing, recording and producing of songs.
I've released three music videos to promote my album which you can find on my YouTube channel: “Violet's Library,” “Golden Image” and “Waldeinsamkeit” filmed by Peter Doris, Austin Hein and Chris Dixon respectively. The video for “Waldeinsamkeit” is particularly special to me because it was filmed at Arbor Hill, in the woods next to my house where I first experienced the feeling of waldeinsamkeit (a German word to describe the feeling of being alone in the woods and the peace that comes along with it). 🌿
I also uploaded song visualizers and sorted them into one playlist on my channel. My favorite one is "Milk Chocolate" because you can see the process of chocolate being made in the background while the song plays (you're welcome 🍫)! The following are my songs in track order with each synopsis described.
Milk Chocolate
"Milk Chocolate" contributes another pop song to the musical world that is dedicated to brown eyes. So many songs praise blue and green eyes, but "Milk Chocolate" describes the allure of brown eyes when falling in love. The song also expresses the faith that is necessary to step into a relationship. Whatever fears may arise, one must be willing to face their demons to start again, and not “let the past tear (their) future apart.”
Golden Image
Who do we really love? The person in front of us or the golden image of them? It is easy to accuse men of objectifying women, but the truth is, women also put men on their own golden pedestals. I openly confess this in my pop funk song called "Golden Image."
There is a fine line between worshipping the ideal and worshipping the material. Even the most God-fearing woman in the world will fall victim to idolization. The book of Ezekiel describes Jerusalem as the wife of God who does not lack for anything, but her lust and pride lead her to defile herself in ways that go beyond what any other woman has done. Chapter 16, verse 17 says: “You also took the fine jewelry I gave you, the jewelry made of my gold and silver, and you made for yourself male idols and engaged in prostitution with them." My song "Golden Image" brings this biblical allegory to life through the lens of my own personal experience and interpretation.
German Statue
The most sensual of the songs on my album, “German Statue” boldly compares a romantic interest to well-known works of art in European culture. The statue-like and heroic beauty of the man who is admired is interpreted as a sign that he will rescue his love from the “bewildering maze” that is her life and meet her “at the portico” to start a new life together.
Violet's Library
Imagine walking into a quaint bookshop and picking up a violet-covered book with a little bit of dust on its cover. The moment you open it, a shining portal beams out of the pages and you are transported into a mystical realm. The fantasy within a woman’s mind plays out in front of you. Fog covers the creek where she imagines meeting her old lover again and reconnecting over the future they could have shared...
Listening to "Violet's Library" should evoke the settings of wooded glens, rustling creeks and a haze of violet-colored fog. The synth and vocal layered sounds are partly inspired by the Celtic music artist Enya's New-Age style of music. May the peaceful sounds of the harp and synths transport you to an enchanted place in your imagination.
Nostalgic Interlude
Nostalgic Interlude is a momentary respite from the vocal-centered songs on my album “Lady of Arbor Hill.” As you listen, allow yourself to drift into the reverie of your childhood memories. The pleasant ones that remind you of your innocence and carefree union with the world that was once your youth. Imagine that listening to my 10-song album is like experiencing a summer day; the songs began with a bright and upbeat atmosphere, but now dusk is settling in and the rest of the songs will become more somber in mood and slow-moving in tempo.
It’s as if your walk through Arbor Hill is almost done, but not quite yet. There are still more grounds to explore…
Waldeinsamkeit
Waldeinsamkeit is a special word in German which refers to the feeling of being alone in the woods. “Wald” means woods and “einsamkeit” means loneliness. Growing up next to the woods, I often experienced the feeling of waldeinsamkeit throughout my childhood in northern New Jersey. As soon as I discovered the special word in 2021, I was inspired to write a rhythmic and cinematic song about it.
Paint Mine Blue
"Paint Mine Blue" is a soft rock song that articulates the painful but loving approach to handling a breakup or failed talking stage. Even though you still love the person, you respect their wish to be left alone. The love is there, but expressed "from a distance." It feels as if you are leaving their life golden while you allow them to paint yours blue.
Snow Kiss
"Snow Kiss" was inspired by a man who told me that winter is his favorite season. I compare the distance between us to the summer sun and winter snow, and their incompatible nature. I want summer days while he clings, “to winter’s snow kiss.” As long as he stays in winter, I cannot join him, and as long as I prefer summer, he will not join me. This sad reality is described in the lyrics of the song's bridge: “So how can we thrive if we both must come undone? We were never the lucky ones, were we darling?"
Arbor Hill
All of the songs on my debut album "Lady of Arbor Hill" were conceived at my childhood home, called Arbor Hill for its 20 arbors covering the property. My parents' zeal for creating beautiful gardens around our house reminded me of the ancient garden of Eden. The universal truth that we all long to return to our original home where we once enjoyed intimacy with our Creator and with each other is echoed within the homesick theme of "Arbor Hill." I go as far as personifying my home, making it seem like it has the power to woo my romantic interest there. “And if Arbor Hill calls to me, she will call to you. Cause if you love me and you want me, Arbor Hill will want you too."
Hiraeth
Hiraeth is a special word in Welsh to describe the spiritual longing for an ancient home to which one cannot return, or a home that never was. It describes the echo of our soul’s past, and the yearning for a person, place or thing that is beyond this plane of existence. It is in the winds, rocks and waves. It is everywhere and nowhere.
“Hiraeth” is the last song on my album which features the natural ambient sounds of Arbor Hill. You will hear the wind chimes ringing from the sugar maple tree in the front yard, birds and chipmunks chirping from surrounding bushes, engines of motorcycles and airplanes zooming by and the wind’s mysterious spirit rustling through the warm summer air. These are the sounds of my hiraeth, and I hope that this final recording all my listeners with a sense of peace.
Album Reviews
It was a joy to have many music blogs review my debut album and thoughtfully describe its concept and the sonic qualities of my songs. The following are my favorite quotes from their featured articles:
"In the crowded landscape of debut albums, Madison Taylor’s 'Lady of Arbor Hill' emerges as a rare gem, a work of startling maturity and emotional depth... this 10-track opus clocking in at just over 45 minutes serves as both a deeply personal memoir and a universal exploration of humanity’s eternal quest for Eden." - B-Side Guys
"Madison’s debut is an album in which it is easy to get lost. Its lyrics will paint pictures in your mind, while her vocals will enchant you. Add in its varied and atmospheric instrumentals and you have a collection that’s simply flawless. It’s a breath-taking debut, and a candidate for album of the year..." - York Calling
"She pairs these lyrics and melodies with addicting, ear-worm instrumentations, creating these perfectly crafted pieces of ethereal and enchanting music that take you to another world. I believe Madison might just be one of the most underrated songwriters of our time." - Pop Passion
"‘Lady on Arbor Hill’ by Madison Taylor is a sweeping indie-folk/pop album that is ethereal bright and darkly haunting. Its lines are deeply poetic, in the vein of poets and writers like William Wordsworth & Alfred Lord Tennyson, telling stories of love lost and bargained for... Each song contains stories of irresistible attraction, wistful longing and begrudging acceptance of forgone conclusions." - Sinusoidal Music
"It almost feels like painting, only instead of acrylic paints, you use the beauty of guitars, synths and strings to create the style. The artist's warm and emotional voice also takes center stage in her music. I like how she blurs the individual instruments in the approaches and draws the listener into a pleasant, tense but also sentimental atmosphere." - Berlin On Air
"The album is abundant with images full of nostalgia and sensuality. In 'Lady of Arbor Hill,' music and poetry merge into a musical bouquet, into an exciting symphony of joy and sadness. Madison Taylor, possessing her unique style, reminds us that true mastery lies not in the attempt to impress but in the ability to feel and convey." - Voxwave Magazine
"The album is deeply personal, yet universal in its themes, exploring the gap between where we are and where we long to be, both emotionally and spiritually. It’s a portal into a world where fantasy and reality collide, where you can almost smell the earth of her rural New Jersey upbringing, with the towering 20 arbors and Eden-like gardens serving as both backdrop and metaphor. Taylor’s home becomes the Garden of Eden we’ve all been kicked out of—inviting us to wander back in, knowing full well we can’t stay." - Indie Boulevard
I hope you enjoy listening to my new album! I'd love to hear your thoughts and feedback.
"As summer fades into autumn, Madison Taylor has given us the perfect soundtrack for introspection and reflection." - B-Side Guys
May you enjoy this autumnal season and all the new music that can be played to enhance its reflective essence!
Who do we really love? The person, or the golden image of them? There is a fine line between worshipping the ideal and worshipping the material. It is easy to accuse men of objectifying women, but the truth is women also put men on their own pedestals. I openly confess this in my new pop song called “Golden Image.”
Song Inspiration
The first story that came to mind when writing my song was from the book of Exodus. Back in Sunday School, I remember learning about the Israelites worshipping a golden calf in the wilderness. Rather than wait for God to finish giving His commands to their leader Moses on Mount Sinai, the people grew impatient and collected all of their gold jewelry to fashion into a calf so they could worship it as their god. Here is the excerpt from Exodus chapter 32:
"When the people saw that Moses was so long in coming down from the mountain, they gathered around Aaron and said, 'Come, make us gods who will go before us. As for this fellow Moses who brought us up out of Egypt, we don’t know what has happened to him.'
Aaron answered them, 'Take off the gold earrings that your wives, your sons and your daughters are wearing, and bring them to me.' So all the people took off their earrings and brought them to Aaron. He took what they handed him and made it into an idol cast in the shape of a calf, fashioning it with a tool. Then they said, 'These are your gods, Israel, who brought you up out of Egypt.'
When Aaron saw this, he built an altar in front of the calf and announced, 'Tomorrow there will be a festival to the Lord.' So the next day the people rose early and sacrificed burnt offerings and presented fellowship offerings. Afterward they sat down to eat and drink and got up to indulge in revelry."
- Exodus 32:1-6
Israel's expedient pleasure of worshipping something man-made rather than fearfully worshipping the One who has made all things seemed like such a foolish story to me. God had delivered His people from death countless times, so why were they so quick to turn away and worship a lifeless idol? How could they become so disillusioned?
I decided to do the difficult thing as the reader and look inwardly at myself. Did I have any right to judge Israel for their sin? Or, was I willing to admit that I was in the same boat as them? The truth is, I am just as impatient with waiting on the Lord and also struggle with instant gratification and empty distraction to pass the time away. When writing my new song, I focused on Israel's golden aspect of their idolization to describe my own “golden image.”
A more applicable story for my song is found in the book of Ezekiel. It was very humbling to discover how relevant the biblical message is with the theme of my song. In chapter 16, Jerusalem is described as the wife of God who does not lack for anything, yet her lust and pride lead her to defile herself in ways that go beyond what any other woman has done. This means that even God-fearing women fall victim to idolization. The following verse from Ezekiel perfectly describes the narrative of my song which is why I decided to display it at the beginning of my music video.
As a young woman, I struggle with the constant fear of being objectified by men. Writing "Golden Image" was my effort to acknowledge and overcome that fear. I know I ought to fear God above all else, as His word commands, but when I fail to do this my fear of men rules over me and I resort to contending with "male images" within my mind in order to feel safe and in control. In other words, I let my sense of victimhood justify my own idolization. "Golden Image" is the musical manifestation of this personal dilemma.
As every songwriter will understand, once you're able to articulate your insecurities through a song, it feels as if you can relinquish its power over your mind. If the song is written authentically and vulnerably, then it should be the songwriter's hope for their listeners to face that same fear and let it go by the time the music has ended. This is why I gave "Golden Image" an energetic and upbeat tone. I wanted to juxtapose the lonely character of the song-lyrics with a happy-go-lucky sound and lively tempo, so that my listeners will feel encouraged and brave enough to identify their own struggles with idolization as the song unfolds.
In my Christian walk, I have learned that God is a god of irony so I approach my songwriting with the same philosophy. The more heart-wrenching my song-lyrics are, the happier my song should sound to balance it out. The famous music artist Taylor Swift categorizes her songwriting into three categories: quill, fountain pen and glitter gel pen style. Glitter gel pen lyrics have been described as "frivolous, carefree, bouncy, syncopated perfectly to the beat... they don't care if you don't take them seriously because they don't take themselves seriously." My song "Golden Image" is the first work where I have taken out my glitter gel pen to compose a playful and more commercial pop sound. I usually prefer my quill and fountain pen when writing, but for this one I knew I needed to add some brightness to my dark melancholic style.
What better way to brighten up a song than to infuse it with gold? In the world of art, the color gold symbolizes so many things. It is said that the roots of the tree of life are gold which represent fertility. In Roman culture, gold rings were used as a symbol of romantic engagement. Champions in the Olympics receive gold medals because the "gold standard" is a signifier of excellent quality or service. Gold has been valuable throughout human history and is usually seen in a favorable light. It represents the ideal divine standard that we all covet. But if we fall into making an idol out of it, the emptiness and lifeless nature of gold will be revealed and leave us disappointed.
As you can see in my music video, I capitalized on golden accessories, props and lighting. I wanted the special color to pervade my narrative of falling in love with the "golden potential" of a romantic relationship. This kind of love is what the Jewish psychoanalyst Erich Fromm calls a "pseudo" form of love. I recently read his book on "The Art of Loving" and found the following excerpt from pages 83-84 to go hand-in-hand with the message of my music video:
"A form of pseudo-love which is not infrequent and is often experienced (and more often described in moving pictures and novels) as the “great love” is idolatrous love. If a person has not reached the level where he has a sense of identity, of I-ness, rooted in the productive unfolding of his own powers, he tends to “idolize” the loved person. He is alienated from his own powers and projects them into the loved person, who is worshipped as the summum bonum, the bearer of all love, all light, all bliss.
In this process he deprives himself of all sense of strength, loses himself in the loved one instead of finding himself. Since usually no person can, in the long run, live up to the expectations of her (or his) idolatrous worshiper, disappointment is bound to occur, and as a remedy a new idol is sought for, sometimes in an unending circle.
What is characteristic for this type of idolatrous love is, at the beginning, the intensity and suddenness of the love experience. This idolatrous love is often described as the true, great love; but while it is meant to portray the intensity and depth of love, it only demonstrates the hunger and despair of the idolater. Needless to say it is not rare that two persons find each other in a mutual idolatry which, sometimes, in extreme cases, represents the picture of a folie à deux."
- Erich Fromm
As Fromm says in his book, this kind of "pseudo-love" is so frequent in our culture which is why I felt compelled to highlight the issue in a theatrical way through my song and video.
It seems that idolatrous love is an endless and hopeless cycle which can be disheartening. For a hopeful resolution, I display another verse from Ezekiel at the end of my video which describes God's promise to transform our hearts.
Our hearts do not naturally long for God or His statutes, but He promises to one day transform us so that we may worship Him in spirit and truth. He will not do this for our sake, but for the sake of His holy name. Our idolization will come to an end and YHWH alone will be worshipped as He deserves. As a hopeless idolater (or "hopeless romantic" to appeal to modern culture), this promise is very comforting to me. The poet Robert Frost once said, "nothing gold can stay" and that includes all our attachments to this world. But "the words of YHWH are flawless, like silver purified in a crucible, like gold refined seven times," (Psalm 12:6). If we put our trust in Jesus, then He will deliver us from the ultimate deception of our idols.
Behind-the-Scenes
It's been a couple of weeks since I released "Golden Image" onto all music platforms, and a week since I premiered the professional music video on YouTube. Ironically, both have received over 1,000 streams and views which is exciting! I filmed the music video in Brooklyn this past June which was a whirlwind of a time since my cast and crew brought it to life within one evening (five hours, to be exact)! So much went into the pre-production process on my end, so seeing it all come together was a very rewarding feeling. I'm grateful that my dad was there to witness my project, and I especially appreciated his help in lugging the concrete pedestals onto my set!
Here are some behind-the-scenes of our shoot:
My music video was produced by Austin Hein Productions and directed by Dariell Pujols of Elleon Studios. Their belief in my project was very encouraging and I'm thankful they had the ambition to bring my song to life on the screen. I hired all my actors through Backstage and enjoyed getting to interact with them on the set. The production experience almost felt like a fever dream because of how quickly time passed (and with the super warm lighting in the studio)!
Reviews
It's fun when music writers listen to my song for the first time and are able to describe my composition with more colorful musical language than I could attempt to use. Here are some of my favorite "Golden Image" reviews from playlisters and bloggers:
“The chorus dazzles in its chillwave-friendly range of synths and ensuing guitar swipes. The vocal work and production is sharp and impactful.”
“A cool vibe with nostalgic elements, and the vocals bring a smooth, fluid quality that sounds both classy and effortless. The instrumental atmosphere leans into a retro indie pop / soft pop rock aesthetic with vintage tones.”
“A beautiful work with an atmospheric musical line that flows throughout the song in a mesmerizing rhythmic manner. Her soft voice and sensitive delivery give it a unique sound. ”
"The soft vocals sound charming, they fill the song with sincere emotions. Combined with the smooth instrumental line, it sounds harmonious and mesmerizing and there is an easy relaxing atmosphere."
"The track showcases Taylor’s talent and the idea that we all view our love interests with rose colored glasses rather than under the glare of reality. This track puts an entertaining Indie Pop groove to the idea and perhaps to the dangers of idolization.”
"A powerful and emblematic single that delves into the complexity of the idealizations we create about those we love. This release marks an evolution in the artist's sound, who now incorporates cinematic influences and synthesizers into her music, continuing to expand her sonic palette."
I've also enjoyed the feedback from my friends for my music video. Art is wonderfully subjective so it's fascinating how many different interpretations can stem from one body of work. One of my friends commented on the kinds of golden pedestals that are shown at the end of my video, how the heights of the pedestals symbolized how long my previous relationships lasted. Another said she thought the golden scales were meant to ask the question: "How much is your love worth?" 🤔 I'd love to hear your own interpretations! Feel free to share in the comment section below or on my YouTube channel. ✨
In other musical news, I am still cooking up my debut album called "Lady of Arbor Hill" which will feature my latest song. I plan to release it on September 22 (the last day of summer), so I'd appreciate any financial support toward the making of it. Click here for my current album campaign. Looking forward to sharing more music with you soon! 🎶
After a few years of experimenting with different synths and vocal layers, I am ready to present to you my new single titled "Violet's Library." I would describe it as an ambient pop song loosely inspired by the otherworldly sounds of Enya's music and the songwriting style of Taylor Swift's folklore album.
Here is my song's synopsis:
Imagine walking into a quaint bookshop where you pick up a violet-covered book with a little bit of dust on its cover. The moment you open it, a shining portal beams out of the pages and you are transported into a mystical realm. The fantasy within a woman’s mind plays out in front of you. Fog covers the creek where she imagines meeting her old lover again and reconnecting over the future they could have shared...
As a music artist, I am particularly inspired by folk, pop and new age sounds and I admire women in music who weave these sounds together to create otherworldly songs. Singers like Enya, Aurora and Eurielle come to mind. The Celtic music artist Enya emerged in the 80s, my favorite decade of musical history because of its prolific use of dreamlike synthesizers. Enya's music has infiltrated my life ever since I was a little girl. My mom would often blast her enchanting albums from our living room speakers where my sisters and I would dance around to our hearts’ content.
When I began recording music, I challenged myself to produce a song with several vocal layers like Enya and arrange my vocals in a whimsical sort of chant. Unlike my previous productions, I made sure not to rush the project so my song could sound as effortless and refined in quality as possible. I don't like to release music for the sake of just releasing music, I prefer to release my songs when I believe they're ready and that process can take up to a few years (or more)!
A couple months prior to the release of my new song, I travelled to Scotland with my mom for a garden tour. While we were staying in Edinburgh, I had a professional music video filmed with the help of Peter Doris from Nexus Digital Media. All the footage was captured within a day which was quite a feat, considering the fact that my video would be over 5 minutes long to accompany my song and feature various scenes with different outfits and locations. It was a joy to work with Peter as he was very enthusiastic about the whole project from pre-production to post-production!
If you’re a fan of the time-travel Outlander series, I discovered after filming my music video that we covered two of the show’s Scottish locations! The first spot is the Roslin Glen Gunpowder Mill featured in Season 1, Episode 9 where Jamie and his men water their horses after rescuing Claire.
The episode begins with Jamie skipping stones across the riverbank in front of the gunpowder mill. He assumes the role of a wistful storyteller lost in thought as he mulls over the strangeness of life and how the sum of the choices he makes literally becomes his life.
“Strange, the things you remember,” he says in his charming Scottish accent. “The people, the places, the moments in time burned into your heart forever while others fade into the mist.”
This location in my music video depicts the place “where Violet’s Library used to be.” My videographer and I agreed that the ruins at the gunpowder mill would be perfect for such a setting.
The second location is Bakehouse Close in Edinburgh featured in Season 3, Episode 6 when Claire travels back through the stones to find Jamie. A “close” is a Scottish term for alleyways, and Bakehouse Close was given its name because it was where the bakers and metal smiths used to live.
In my music video, I walk down the same set of stairs that lead up to Jamie’s A. Malcolm print shop. It may seem like a trivial location but those stairs are so important in the show because it's where the two main characters, Claire and Jamie, walk up to enjoy a long-anticipated reunion. As you can see in the following picture, the handrail is covered with wooden siding to make it look more appropriate to the 1700s time period architecture.
Regarding my wardrobe choices, I always dress up in modest, feminine dresses for my music videos. For the mystical sounds of "Violet's Library," I fully embraced my love for medieval style with my Arwen maxi dress in deadly nightshade and my Regency lace-up dress in lavender. My videographer said my outfits reminded him of the way Kate Bush in her music videos. I remember watching her video for "Wuthering Heights" a while back. She dances the way that I dance when I'm alone and listening to my favorite music, and she seems to have a very similar personality to mine so it's a compliment to be compared to her!
I meandered through different alleyways of Edinburgh and explored Roslin Glen in my Regency dress, and I sported my Arwen dress for my dry ice fog scenes at Leith Arches. I also wore burgundy overalls with a cream-colored shirt for my bookshop scenes at Edinburgh Books because I wanted to feature a more modern-looking outfit to contrast with my old-fashioned dresses. My lyrics reflect this blending of the modern and the historical in the way I craft my letters for "Violet's Library."
At first, I was going to name my song “Dear Sean” since it repeats that greeting at the beginning of both the verses. But, I thought it would be more intriguing to name it after the unique location I envisioned, a specific library where the two lovers in my song used to meet. My videographer joked that my "Dear Sean" greeting was like the Scottish version of the American "Dear John," made famous by Nicholas Sparks's book. That comparison gave me a good laugh!
Just like my music video depicts, listening to "Violet's Library" should evoke the settings of wooded glens, rustling creeks and a haze of violet-colored fog. The following is a fun checklist that I came up for properly listening to my song:
How to Create the Ideal Listening Experience for "Violet's Library"
💜 Find the most medieval-looking outfit in your closet and dress up! Royal hues are preferred, particularly deep violet.
💜 Use your eyeliner to create a soft cat eye look. Dark purple lip stain is optional.
💜 Find a darkly lit room and use a northern lights projector to cast purple rays onto the ceiling. Or, light some candles to create the mystical atmosphere.
💜 Take out your favorite books - the more old-fashioned the covers are, the better - and place them in fun little stacks all around.
💜 If you have stereo headphones, wear those to allow the surrounding synths and layered vocals to wrap around you. Stereo speakers are fine too.
💜 Think about the one that got away while you listen.
💜 Use the space around you to dance as expressively as you please!
If you enjoy my song and music video, I would love to have your support for my upcoming album! "Violet's Library" is the first single to build momentum for my debut LP called "The Lady of Arbor Hill." I plan on releasing the album in September, so any donations toward its creation are appreciated! Click here to find the campaign.
Thank you for reading about my new release! If you've read this far, I want to let you know that I'll be releasing another single very soon! Can't wait to share it. In the meantime, I hope you enjoy the fanciful storytelling of “Violet's Library.” May its sounds of harps and synths transport you to an enchanted place within your imagination. 🎶
Another year as a singer-songwriter, and there are so many milestones to celebrate… 🎶
In April, I formed an awesome band and performed my original songs in a theatre setting for the first time. 🎭
In July, I had an incredible music video filmed for my song “I’ll Never Know Him.” I envisioned taking a stroll along Spanish streets when I first composed the song, so having the opportunity to film the video in Barcelona was a dream come true. 🇪🇸
In August, I travelled solo to Tennessee to record new material for my upcoming album. I’m working with an exceptional producer who also graduated from Liberty University around the same time I did (ironically, we never met until this summer)! 🎶
In December, I performed once again with my band at an annual Christmas event close to my home. Years ago, I performed there with my high school madrigal choir so being invited back to perform my original songs was very encouraging and affirming. 🎄
I uploaded a highlight reel of my musical experiences in 2023 on Instagram, go check it out - @madisontaylorartist 🎞 Most of my time has been spent in the studio, so I’m looking forward to releasing the songs I’ve been cooking up for the past few years. Thank you for all the love and support, both online and off. ❤️
Let’s all look forward to 2024, and approach the new year with a renewed and focused mindset!
I worked with Toby Moon Productions once again to film a music video for my original song, “Secretly Admire." Unlike my first music video, I decided not to include any clips of me lip syncing, so that the story unfolding between my four characters would have all of the focus. I wanted the video narrative to be set in a historical era, and Toby Moon Productions suggested the Victorian age. I have been an admirer (not secretly 😉) of all things Victorian ever since I started watching the BBC series Victoria, so I thought it'd be a fun idea to delve into that era.
My music video's fictional narrative of unrequited love overlaps 4 minutes of emotional vocals combined with lively string instruments and percussion. The filming process lasted 3 days, during a weekend in August of 2021. I chose to release the video on Halloween since it would be an easy release date for people to remember. My video also features a cast in full Victorian costume which goes along perfectly with the spirit of dressing up in costumes on Halloween!
It was a joy to have my sister join my cast. Ironically, she played my sister on-screen so it wasn’t hard for us to portray our sisterly bond. The other actors featured in my video regularly act in the plays and musicals at the Dover Little Theatre. Our first day of filming was at the theatre where we filmed the family portrait scene and had each cast member photographed in black and white portraits to mimic the wet plate photography of the Victorian Era.
Our next two days of filming took place inside the Jefferson Township Museum. The interior of the museum is designed as an interpretation of life in the last quarter of the 1800s, reflecting how a family might have lived there during that period of time. It was the perfect set for my Victorian narrative. My two dresses featured in the video were designed by Dianna Filan who volunteers alongside me as a tour guide at the museum.
Official “Secretly Admire” Lyrics Written by Madison Taylor
I wrote a letter and sent it out to the wind Hoping that it'd find you Somehow, I knew it reached your hands But it never found your heart
Oh taker of my soul You will never know, you will never know Oh stealer of my soul You will never know that I secretly admire you
I called your name out in a crowd But the sound lost hope and faded out I grew long tired of the night Cause you were all I could think about
Oh taker of my soul You will never know, you will never know Oh stealer of my soul You will never know that I secretly admire you You will never know that I secretly admire you
And when I smile at you, I am filled with fear That you might somehow never reappear And when I smile at you, I shed many tears Cause I know that I've wasted all these years
And when I smile at you, I am filled with fear That you might somehow never reappear And when I smile at you, I shed many tears Cause I know that I've wasted all these years Pining over you
You will never know, you will never know You will never know that I secretly admire you
I wrote a letter and sent it out to the wind Hoping that it'd find you Somehow, I knew it reached your hands But it never found your heart
My family and I love to watch British drama and Victorian-based movies, so getting to film my own Victorianesque music video was a dream come true! You can watch my video by clicking here. I’d appreciate if you leave a like and comment on my YouTube channel. Thanks!
To step into a lasting relationship and feel the peace that comes along with it - that is what I envisioned when I wrote my original song “Destined” back in high school. 💗 It was fun to dream up the song, but even more rewarding to bring it to life through a professional music video.
After graduating from Liberty University and returning home in the summer, one of my goals was to film and release a music video for a song off my Evergreen EP. On my social media, I saw an account for a video production company called Toby Moon Productions based in Oak Ridge. The company was founded by the older brother of an acquaintance I knew back in high school, so I mustered up my courage and reached out to his team. They were more than willing to take my project on, so we discussed and cemented our vision for my “Destined” music video over Zoom meetings before meeting to film it in September of last year. It was a fun process overall, and I’d love to work with them again on another music video. The following are the video credits:
Official “Destined” Lyrics Written by Madison Taylor
I thought that you died out Few vows are engraved in stone My heart had been blacked out But you felt like home
So tell me what you want, tell me what you need Let me pay you back, don’t mind rolling up my sleeves I’m destined to be with you Show me all your scars, show me what you’ve seen We can start again, start until we feel washed clean I’m destined to be with you
A vision with soft eyes, An angel with hands to touch I’ve used up my war cries Found peace in your love
So tell me what you want, tell me what you need Let me pay you back, don’t mind rolling up my sleeves I’m destined to be with you Show me all your scars, show me what you’ve seen We can start again, start until we feel washed clean I’m destined to be with you
I can feel the love, and I can see the ring It was more than I was envisioning
So tell me what you want, tell me what you need Let me pay you back, don’t mind rolling up my sleeves I’m destined to be with you Show me all your scars, show me what you’ve seen We can start again, start until we feel washed clean I’m destined to be with you
If there is anything that is truly evergreen, it is love. Love endures all things. It never fails.
Of course, there are many kinds of love. Agape, the Greek word for love, representing Christ’s covenant love for humankind, surely exceeds all the others. It is the only kind that satisfies our need to be loved beyond who we are or what we do.
That isn’t to say we don’t experience some of the other kinds in our lifetimes. Many of us resonate with the desire for “eros”, the Greek word for romantic love. At 21 years of age, I can say I’ve had my decent share of romance.
Romantic tension, heartache and unrequited love have been the main themes of my songwriting inspiration. In the past, it was easier to dwell in my sadness than remember that singlehood was and is a blessing. But, I felt that it was only proper to spotlight these special songs that have carried me through the lows of my experiences in matters of the heart. I hope that my music is able to connect with and soothe others who are also dealing with broken hearts and need the reminder that they’re not alone in their struggles.
Using my sad experiences to write most of the songs on my EP wasn’t too fun, but the whole recording process was a ton of fun! I’m so grateful for the opportunity to work with Pipe Dream Studios and release my first album. What better way to ring in the new year (and decade!) than by accomplishing one of my greatest musical dreams?
“Evergreen” is live today, on all music stores and streaming services you can think of. I hope you’ll enjoy what my songs have to offer - honesty, passion, dreams of love... as well as the interwoven idea that love is evergreen. That the pleasant and not-so-pleasant memories associated with our experiences of falling in and out of love continue to shape and renew our hearts. We are never the same when we separate from those we once held close to our hearts. Instead, we are forever changed for the better by having known them. For having allowed them to sharpen our perspectives, teaching us what we could not have learned without experience.
It was a treat to work with Brianna Joy, a local photographer in Lynchburg, for my Evergreen photoshoot. I’ll take just about any excuse to wander through the woods for fun and let my outdoorsy and curious nature roam free!
