Taylor Acorn is an artist who has made her mark through authentic storytelling and a sound that resonates deeply with listeners. With singles like "High Horse" and "People Watching," she has captured the attention of many and is now on the verge of releasing her debut album, *Survival in Motion.* In a conversation filled with genuine insight, Taylor shares the journey behind creating this album, which came together unexpectedly but beautifully, reflecting her life and growth as an independent artist.

As she gears up to open for iconic bands like Dashboard Confessional and Boys Like Girls, Taylor is ready to embrace new challenges and connect with audiences in bigger venues than ever before. In this interview, Taylor opens up about the significance of her songs, her preparations for the tour, and her hopes for how her music will resonate with both long-time fans and new listeners. With her first album release and a major tour on the horizon, Taylor Acorn is stepping confidently into a pivotal moment in her career.

You recently released several singles, such as High Horse and the latest one, People Watching. How did you decide which tracks to include on your upcoming album, “Survival in Motion”? I didn't initially set out to write an album, and honestly, I had no intention of releasing one. Although I always thought it would be really cool to write an album, I was also okay if we only ended up with a couple of songs that I really loved. My main concern was to write music that I truly loved, regardless of whether it would be part of an album. Being an independent artist, I didn't know if creating an album would be feasible. However, as we started writing these songs, I noticed how well they fit together and how much they reflected my life and experiences at the time. They seemed to just naturally fit as a cohesive body of work. We kept writing music and by the end of the week, Dan, my producer, arranged the songs in a sequence and jokingly said, "Here's an album." We listened to it and realized how right it felt. It’s almost as if the album created itself. I didn't even have to consciously pick the songs for the album.

Is there a particular track on the record that is most significant to you? The song "Greener" is one that always stands out to me. It’s often interpreted as being about relationships, but for me, it represents my struggles with mental health and my journey toward healing. It hasn't been easy, but I'm in a much better place now. The song conveys that getting stuck in darkness is easy, but trying to heal is so much better. When I started doing that, it felt incredible to be happy. You know the saying, 'the grass isn't always greener on the other side'? Well, what if it is? What if taking that step to be better truly positively impacts your life? That's what the song means to me. It's like an instant serotonin boost whenever I listen to it, even if I'm having a bad day. It just feels so good. "Birds Still Sing" is another new song that will be part of the upcoming album that is really special to me.

As the album release approaches, what emotions are you feeling? What impact do you hope the album will have on long-time fans and new listeners discovering your music? I feel a mix of emotions - excitement, nervousness, and a little bit of strangeness. This album release is a big deal for me as it's my first one. I'm thrilled that people will finally get to hear the music that I've put so much of myself into, but at the same time, there's a fear of rejection. I really hope that people like it and understand where I'm coming from. Despite the nerves, I'm proud of the music, and I hope it brings positivity and joy to people's lives. The album release coincides with our tour and adds to the chaos and excitement. I sincerely hope the album resonates with people and accurately reflects who I am as an artist.

Speaking of the tour, you're opening for icons Dashboard Confessional and Boys Like Girls. I can imagine it's a huge milestone for you. How have you been preparing musically and mentally? I think it's one of those things where you can understand what it might be like. These are the largest venues I've ever played during a general tour, and I'm still processing it. It won't sink in until the day comes and we're there playing the show. There have been so many tours in the past that have felt like they happened so fast, and then it was over, leaving me feeling like it wasn't real life. I'm trying to keep a level head, you know. I've been running to improve my cardio because the stages are bigger than I'm used to, and I'm getting older. I don't want to be huffing and puffing on stage. Working with my guitarist to build the set for this tour has been really fun. We've been experimenting with intros and different elements, adding new music and little extras to the show. I think it's going to be really good. I'm trying to stay calm and not get too nervous, but it still feels very weird that it's happening. I'm very intimidated but excited at the same time.

As you're planning your show, how will you create the setlist? Will you be including a lot of songs from the new album, “Survival in Motion”?

I'm really looking forward to the upcoming show. It's going to be challenging because there might be a lot of new listeners who are discovering my music for the first time. We've decided to include both older and newer songs in the setlist to maintain a balance. I'm excited about playing new songs like "People Watching," and we've also been opening our set with a song called "Final Nail," which has a vibe similar to "Misery Business" by Paramore, so I'm very excited about that one. The show is going to be high-energy and fast-paced, so I hope the audience is ready to dance and have a great time.

Dashboard Confessional has a passionate fan base. How do you think your music aligns with that audience? I think they'll be able to appreciate a handful of my songs. I feel like I'm a good mash-up of both bands, Boys Like Girls and Dashboard Confessional. Hopefully, the audience will appreciate it from both sides. Boys Like Girls fans enjoy the upbeat, love-drunk kind of vibes. And then, you know, Dashboard is more into the melancholy emo vibes. I think that my music emulates a little bit of all of that. So, hopefully, they receive it well.

What do you hope to learn from being on this tour? I'm really looking forward to the upcoming experience. It will be cool because it involves two bands I've admired since childhood. I'm interested to see how their teams work and their performances. I'm always learning from watching other people perform and getting ideas for live shows and stage setups when I have the opportunity for a big production. I feel like I'm just along for the ride, absorbing as much as possible. We've had some tours where we've had to learn the hard way, and my first couple of tours were a little rough regarding transportation and logistics. Hopefully, all those lessons have been learned.

Are there any challenges you face when being on the road for long periods of time? Unfortunately, my cat back at home won't be joining me on the road. Leaving her is always the downside. I have a roommate who works as a night shift nurse, and she spends a lot of time with her. She sends me photos and updates, but it's hard to miss out. Leaving her behind is tough. It's a challenge to have animals when you're traveling.

Is there anything specific you're excited about on this tour, any particular cities? I’m really looking forward to playing at a venue in New York City that's situated on a rooftop with a great view of the entire city. I've wanted to perform there for a long time, so I'm very excited about it. It also holds special significance because it's in my hometown, and my partner, who is from Pittsburgh, will be joining me. Pittsburgh is like a second home to me, and I have many friends and family there, so it will be great to have their support. This venue is significant to me because I used to attend events there when I was younger, so it feels like things have come full circle. I'm thrilled to have the opportunity to perform there and experience it from the other side rather than just as a fan.

How do you believe this tour will influence your future career? Do you have any specific goals for yourself during this experience? I hope to gain some fans from this opportunity, but I am also incredibly grateful for the chance to be a part of it. I believe great things will come from it. Both camps have been kind and wonderful, and I've had the chance to meet them at festivals. Ultimately, I just want people to enjoy my music and connect with it. I prefer to live in the moment and appreciate what I have now rather than get ahead of myself. This opportunity is a big step for me, and I'm excited to see what comes next.

What does the rest of 2024 look like when you conclude the tour with Dashboard Confessional’s Fall 2024 Tour”? It's kind of crazy. When we get back, we probably have about a week and a half, and then we're off to the UK to tour with a fantastic band. After that, we'll return home to celebrate Thanksgiving and the holidays, and then, in early December, we'll head back out to Australia. It's going to be a pretty busy fall! I think it's cool to see how everything has been growing. We've been working and growing a little more each tour. It's nice to see our progress from where we started. We started touring back in 2021, opening for other bands. It's been a while, but every tour has been getting bigger. Now, we can headline our shows, play at festivals, and even travel overseas. Throughout it all, we've been independent, and it's been a team effort. It's really cool to see all of that happen. We're all incredibly grateful for the opportunities that have come our way. I'm excited about it all.

As Taylor Acorn looks ahead, her excitement and gratitude for the opportunities unfolding are palpable. From sharing stages with her childhood idols to performing at iconic venues close to her heart, Taylor is soaking in every moment of this transformative journey. With her debut album, *Survival in Motion,* and a packed touring schedule that spans continents, she’s set on making 2024 a year of growth, connection, and unforgettable experiences. Taylor's passion for her craft, her resilience as an independent artist, and her genuine connection with her audience shine through in everything she does. As she continues to embrace new challenges and opportunities, there's no doubt that her star will keep rising, leaving an indelible mark on the music world and the hearts of her listeners.

INTERVIEW BY: HEATHER KOEPP
PHOTOS BY: ELLIE WHITE