“Long Way From Home” — Alexis Taylor’s Journey as a Musician and the Hardships Encountered
Huntsville, Ontario. Which downtown places would you recommend for new visitors to your hometown?
There are so many amazing places in my hometown it’s hard to choose! But I would definitely recommend checking out the Nutty Chocolatier for all things chocolate, candy, and treats! I used to go there all the time in high school and get ice cream for lunch! If you are wanting some delicious drinks with a beautiful view, make sure to check out The Pub, which is just down the street from the Nutty Chocolatier! You can enjoy a drink right on the river, with occasional live music.
Another place that I would recommend checking out would be Lions Lookout. It’s this beautiful lookout area not too far from main street where you can see most of Huntsville, including the lakes, the river, and everything in between. Definitely worth walking or driving up there, especially when the leaves start changing colors!
Missions trips, like ones you’ve taken to San Luis, Mexico. How can others get involved?
Yes! San Luis, Mexico has such a big place in my heart — along with all global missions! If anyone wants to get involved, feel free to check out https://www.caringheartsmexico.org. I would highly recommend going on a trip, it is incredibly life changing! They have trips that are construction based, spiritual based, and everything in-between so you don’t necessarily have to be a part of a specific church to join. If you are unable to physically go on a trip, they also have lots of ways you can donate on their website to lots of unique ministries under Caring Hearts as well! I have been working on putting together a vlog from the last time that I was there on a missions trip, so make sure to keep an eye out for that! It will show first hand what going on a trip with Caring Hearts entails and will be posted on my YouTube channel.
“Both my parents are songwriters and have always been very musical. Music is a part of me — it has always been in my blood.” Did you ever feel the ‘artist’ bar was set higher because your parents are musicians?
With both of my parents being musicians, I definitely feel like there is a need to make them proud with my musical accomplishments. Though they never pushed me to be a musician, it was what I always wanted to do and I always looked up to them for doing. They are both so incredibly talented that I strive to do my best to carry on my families musical legacy. They are my biggest fans, my biggest support system, and biggest encouragers and couldn’t have asked for better parents.
Launching your international career in the summer of 2016 in Scandinavia with singer/songwriter Doug Seegers. Can you share a favorite memory from the tour that has had a lasting impact on you as a musician?
One of my favorite memories from the tour in Scandinavia with Doug Seegers was definitely when we were in this town in Northern Sweden and the town square where we were performing was packed. There were people as far as I could see and I was so nervous! It was the biggest crowd that I have ever played for to this day. During my performance, the crowd went completely silent and was truly listening to every word I was singing. After the show, I was sitting with Doug at the merch table and realized many of the people did not speak English. It completely blew me away, that even though they might not have fully understood what I was singing about during my performance, they still gave me their full attention anyways. It’s a rare thing to find these days and I always look back on that memory with gratitude for the people I met while I was opening for Doug!
Releasing “Blame The Whiskey,” your first single in 2018, to playing in top festivals and opening for artists like Marshall Tucker Band. Receiving nominations and awards. “You hear Alexis Taylor sing, and you wonder, why isn’t this woman all over the radio? Then you dig a little deeper and the question changes from why isn’t she on the radio to why isn’t Alexis Taylor a star?” — Ken Churilla of American Songwriter. How do you handle reviews as a musician?
Reviews as a musician are always such an honor. I feel like the people who reach out to me, and want to talk to me about my music, truly make me feel like I am making moves in the right direction! There is something about being recognized for your passion that is a huge compliment, and I am really thankful for the people who have taken a chance on me over the years. I realize that there are an exponential amount of artists out there who are releasing music so I appreciate any and all of the reviews that I have received over the years. It helps to shape the future of my music career while expanding my reach to my audience!
Newest album, Ain’t No Quittin’ You, produced by multi-award-winning musician John Willis, included tracks that climbed as far as #15 on Sirius XM radio in Canada. Which song was the hardest to write and why?
I think the hardest song to write on that album was “Getaway.” I wanted to write a song that would pick up my fans spirits during COVID and would encourage them to think on the bright side even though we were going through a pandemic. Though a lot of people were having to deal with lock downs and weren’t able to travel, I wanted “Getaway” to be the perfect reminder to enjoy the time with the people you are with as opposed to focusing on a specific destination. Writing and releasing a song that was so happy and carefree, juxtaposed to a world that was coping with a global pandemic, was difficult because there was so much negativity and discouragement every time you turned on the TV. Luckily, I was really able to spend most of the lockdown with my family in Canada, and was able to spend most of my days writing and recording — even though I missed being on the road terribly. Fortunately, having an abundance of free time gave me the ability to write and rewrite lyrics until I was happy with the end result which hopefully my fans enjoyed!
“Long Way From Home,” an emotionally telling song about your journey as a musician and the hardships you’ve encountered. The song was also produced by Willis, who has worked with Taylor Swift, Shania Twain, Willie Nelson and many other musical greats. “When I was writing “Long Way From Home,” I was having one of those days where I felt like throwing in the towel [on my music career] and just giving up — but how do you give up on something you feel like you were called to do? I wanted to really capture that feeling in the lyrics and melody of the song. So I started writing, and poured my heart out onto paper, and the song seemed to write itself.” What do you do when you feel like giving up on your career?
For me, when I feel like giving up, the trick is to remember why you started. When I’m having a bad day, or when I feel like giving up and getting a “real job,” I just start to remember what made me want to do music so badly to begin with. I think about all the wonderful friendships I have made and people I have met over the years, and how so many people have helped me get to where I am today… The thought of quitting and disappointing them is what really drives me, and fuels my passion to keep going. It can be easy to have days where no one emails you back for an interview, or weeks where your song isn’t doing well on the radio, or performances where you forget the lyrics to your own song. But, at the end of the day, I think remembering why I got into music is the most important thing, and keeping my head up through those tough times is crucial to my growth in the music industry.
Besides your parents, who would you say has inspired you the most as a songwriter?
As a songwriter, I am inspired by so many different people. However, most of who I am inspired by are my friends. Nashville has no shortage of gifted musicians and it is easy to see it is a remarkable town. The level of talent that is here is undeniable, from people who have been here for years, to people who have just moved to Nashville. The friends that I have are definitely a mix, but are all so crazy talented in their own way. From writing, to playing guitar, to producing and everything in between.. It sure makes it easy to look up to them, and get motivation from seeing them work. So truthfully, as much as I love listening to songs written by award winning songwriters who write for all A-list artists, most of where I get my inspiration of is from my friends.
It doesn’t get easier — you just have to get stronger. What helps you the most through difficult times?
One of the things that helps me the most through difficult times is leaning on my family, and leaning on God. For me, there is no other way to get through what life puts you through than to surround yourself with people who love you and care about you, while trusting in God’s plan. I think we have all found out (especially after the past few years) that life isn’t easy, and doesn’t always work out the way that we thought it would. But that’s okay, because if you believe that there is a bigger purpose for your life, and can hang onto peace even through the darkest valleys, then you will get through whatever difficult times may come. It will get better. Maybe not in the way that you thought it would, and maybe not right away; but it will, you just need to find a source of hope through the trying circumstances! I know I can only speak for myself and my own journey — but I wouldn’t have made it this far without the hope that God gives me, and the love and support of my family.
Sometimes all you need is a little time away to give yourself a new perspective. Favorite places to travel to getaway?
I think some of my favorite places to travel to getaway is anywhere with a beach or a pool! Mexico, Dominican, Bahamas — as close to the equator as possible! Growing up in Canada where it is winter for 5–6 months of the year, I always love going to places that are hot and sunny. There is nothing better than sitting on a beach chair beside the ocean with a cold drink in your hand, soaking up the sun. Plus, since I travel so much over North America already, it is an amazing time to go somewhere unique where I can spend some quality time with my family. It’s always the best time.