Country star back in town

Jonny Taylor is back to perform a series of gigs around the South West after returning to the State after a performance at the V8 supercars in Sydney.

After winning the Perth heat of the Telstra Road to Tamworth, Taylor recently competed in the semi-fi nals where he received praise from Australian Country artist James Blundell.

Blundell described Taylor’s performance as “really solid, the audience really responded to his performance and I couldn’t fault his vocal delivery”.

Taylor did not make it to the finals of the competition which he explained was partially due to his choice of song.

“It is always a bit of a risk when you choose to sing a rock song in a country competition,” he said.

However, this “one man band” from Busselton with a “rootsy, rocky vibe” has come a long way from the boy who had dreamed of rock stardom.

“My music is diverse, and a lot of it is a little dark and sad,” Taylor said.

“I find it easier to express things that way. But since I’ve started to find my feet as a songwriter, I find this has evolved a little and become more upbeat, more autobiographical.”

Taylor’s style of music has also evolved over the years from what he thought it should be, to creating a style he is comfortable with.

“I had an idea of what my music should be, according to the music I listened to and the people I though were my influences, but my music hasn’t come out like that at all,” Taylor said.

“I wanted my music to be a certain way, and I tried to force it to be that way, but it’s really taken on a different form and I’m starting to embrace it and let it flow.

“It feels more natural, and I think audiences are starting to notice that.”

He said trying to break into the industry was hard, and that he “had to be ruthless and have a lot of confidence”.

“Getting people to pick up and listen to what I have to say is difficult. But I’ve started to get off on the challenge.”

Taylor recently quit his job to concentrate on his music career, saying he needed to jump head-first into his music and commit to it.

“Once I quit, I really needed to find the work musically, make the money and keep the momentum going,” he said.

As for future plans, Taylor said his debut album was set to be released in January, and that he would continue to hit the road and play as many gigs as possible.

Jonny Taylor will perform at 1.30pm on December 26 at The Deck Marina Bar in Busselton.