Indie Rocker On The Rise: Interview with Lissy Taylor.

Lissy Taylor, 23, began her career as a musician in the United States after moving there in 2015 from the UK. She headed back to Manchester, England in 2017 and now resides in Stoke-on-Trent playing her infectious indie-rock. A 2020 single premiere with Clash Magazine, an appearance for The Edge for Sky TV, air time on Radio 1’s Live Lounge and the BBC Introducing Record of the Week at BBC Stoke are just a few of Taylor’s growing achievements. More recently Taylor got the call to perform at the Y Not Festival in Pikehall in Derbyshire in August with Snow Patrol, Jamie T and Noel Gallagher headlining. With the Pikehall-based festival drawing national attention, it comes as an opportunity for Taylor to capture the hearts and minds of a wider audience.

In truth, Taylor’s rise is one to watch. She is popularising an exciting modern revival of indie rock with a refreshing twist in central England. Interestingly, presenter Nels Hylton, from BBC Radio 1, a big fan of Taylor said last year: “This is what new indie music is all about, Lissy Taylor is an undeniable talent and she shows she’s ready to conquer the scene…”

That said, Taylor continues to shine on her new single Life Changing, a rally cry for the underdog to lift themselves up and pull through to the other side.

I recently caught up with Lissy Taylor. Here is some of what we talked about.

Lissy, I believe you are based in Stoke, England but for a number of years you resided in Lexington, Kentucky in the United States. What stories or experiences did you bring back with you that are helping you form a foundation for your songwriting?

I first started writing when I was 14 and moved to the USA, It could feel lonely at times so I started writing songs almost like a diary. I started with poetry first and then moved on to songwriting. It really helped me to understand my emotions and till does.I still do this with my writing now, its emotive and authentic. I think that’s what good songs are about really, honesty and connection.

I understand your new single Life Changing was inspired by Stoke and all those things that go unnoticed. Please tell us something surprising about how it came about?

Growing up in Stoke you always hear about the bad reputation it has but I have met some incredible people from the area and I think it can instil a deeper motivation to prove that reputation wrong in some cases. Olympic athletes, artists, singers, business owners, I think it shows if you set your mind to something there is a chance you can achieve it regardless of your background and thats inspiring to me.

What a thrill in must be for you to be opening for Noel Gallagher (formerly of Oasis) at the forthcoming Y Not Festival? How did this wonderful opportunity present itself?

I got an email one Saturday morning asking if I was free to perform at YNot Festival on 4th Aug, which I said yes we’d love to play. So they sent me the details and discovered it was for MainStage when Noel Gallagher was headlining. I think I screamed the place down, told my dog about 100 times and then dropped the news to the band. Honestly it was an absolute monumental day…. One I don’t think I will ever forget.

It feels like you are on your way. What’s it like to be receiving such welcomed attention from fans and music insiders. Is it validating, daunting or a mixture of both?

It’s brilliant to get a good reaction to my songs. I write from my own experiences because it helps me but when I get messages from others that it is helping them too by being released that means the most because its real making a difference.

It’s like a pinch me moment when people know the words at a show. In the past I’ve played to rooms where there aren’t that many people so to get to the stage now with people wearing my t-shirts and singing with me is incredible.

Lissy, was the guitar your first instrument that you learned to play? Do you have a go-to guitar when songwriting and or playing live? What is it? And what do you love about its sound?

I started Guitar when I was 13, I learnt on a Crafter, then when I moved to the USA I bought a couple of Seagull acoustic guitars. I write my songs on one of the Seagulls, occasionally I will move to the piano. I moved back to the UK and was studying songwriting in Manchester, my music was moving more towards indie rock and I bought a Fender Telecaster Nashville Blonde. I play this at most of my gigs. The Telecaster really amps up the energy for the live shows.

Your music has been described as indie rock, drawing from a variety of influences. Can you talk about your musical influences and how they shape your sound?

I am influenced by the songs I listen to, as well as my experiences and how that impacts me and the way it makes me feel emotionally. My first EP Wildflowers I wrote when I was 17, not long after starting Uni but release it until 2020. I think there’s some US influence in there, I definitely hear Lana Del Rey influence in my song High. In 2018 I’d started listening to Indie Rock; Catfish and The Bottle Men, Oasis, Arctic Monkeys, The Stone Roses and also started to visit 42’s nightclub which is when I wrote the Undercurrent EP (2021) with Quiet Rage being the first step into Indie Rock. More recently I’ve been listening to a lot of Wolf Alice, Sam Fender and Fleetwood Mac. I think that the more I’ve written, the more I’ve found my own sound and started using myself as a reference in order to become more creative which is exciting.

What do you think the biggest misconception about indie rock is today?

That everyone immediately thinks of a ‘boy band’ it’s a shame but we’re changing it.

How do you think your creative processes have changed or formed in order to accommodate that?

I just write what I feel and I make sure I write songs that I can sing extra loud.

Finally Lissy, any creative dreams for the rest of 2024? Are you writing new music as we speak?

I’m planning to release more songs this year. I have a few new songs I’m excited to record as well. The creative dream….. be nice if Noel hears my set and then offers me to support him on his next tour! I’d love to do a big tour and get to travel with the band.