by PopularTV // September 25, 2020
The Connecticut-born, LA-based pop-R&B artist Taylor DeBlock just released his new single “Necesitas” and we are completely hooked!
Talking about the fire and the exciting feeling of having a new love, “Necesitas” is the first of three upcoming singles that, together, will markdown the release of his new EP on November 6th .
Taylor started his music career at the age of 13, after studying Jazz and broadway vocal coach and fall into music. Eventually, DeBlock started to study music full-time in college and, in 2018, released his first single, Fool, conquering everyone’s hearts and showing that he has the talent to spare.
In today’s interview for Popular TV, Taylor shares with us the idea behind Necesitas, how was his childhood growing up in Connecticut, and the biggest message behind his music.
1. Tell us about your new single, ‘Necesitas’, and how this song came to be?
Necesitas was birthed from an interesting place – I began writing it in the midst of the worst heartbreak of my life. I felt so much pain that I eventually got to a place where I simply wanted to feel the opposite. Reflecting on better times, where the love was fresh and the butterflies were still alive, I eventually found it. From there, I wrote from the heart and tried my best to paint a picture of the intoxication we feel when a new love begins. Truthfully, the song took longer than I expected, but I’m so glad we stuck it out. After multiple rewrites and countless Zoom sessions, the song was finally done. With the help of writers Demi Louise and Ammar Yasir Hamed I was able to find the words I was looking for, and fully complete the song. Since that moment, I’ve never been more proud of a record in my life. This one just feels special.
2. What would be the vision for the music video?
Since I began writing the song I’ve had different visions for what the music video could be, but always returned to the same idea. I picture two people who notice one another from across a busy room. With enough time, the man in this story works up the courage to approach the woman who’s stolen his heart and finally makes his move. When his courage pays off, I picture the whole room exploding (just as our hearts do) while they standstill in the middle of the room, sharing a first kiss. I loved the juxtaposition of the chaos happening in the room while they stood still in an embrace – it speaks to my own attempt to remain calm, cool, and collected on the outside, but all the while there are fireworks happening on the inside.
3. How did studying under jazz and Broadway vocal coach translates to the music that you create today?
Studying under a Jazz and Broadway coach was helpful for so many reasons, but namely, it showed me that individuality is key. In order for people to believe in your music, you have to inject it with both confidence and personality. My teacher, Beverly Blanchard, was incredible at explaining both the technique and energy required of any musician. I was able to learn not only the skill of singing but also art. Eventually, these same concepts went beyond the performance of the music and helped me with the creation of them. As I’ve grown, I’ve realized that the more personality I put into my music the better – when I’m honest with the music, it just feels right.
4. Growing up in Connecticut, what inspired you to initially start creating music?
I grew up with an older brother and sister in Connecticut, who both shaped and inspired my musical inclinations. Whatever my siblings listened to, I was listening too – I wanted to be just like them. When I was about 13 years old my sister realized that I had a voice and a “good one” at that. From that point on, she harped on me and urged me to take voice lessons with her vocal coach at the time. Eventually, I gave in and began taking lessons. After overcoming the embarrassment of singing in front of someone, I fell head over heels in love with music. Before I knew it, I ended up in a school musical and even took my efforts to Elon University as a Music Production & Recording Arts major. I most definitely have my family to thank for there undying love and support – I wouldn’t be here without them.
5. In a world where everyone has a platform, how do you differentiate yourself from your peers?
With so many different and amazing artists in this world, I agree that it’s important to remain unique to rise up among the rest. I’ve personally found that the way I’ll always differentiate myself is by remaining deeply honest as an artist. What I mean by that is, I don’t want to hold myself to a particular genre or sound, although my R&B/Pop influence will always bleed through. I want to paint new pictures on fresh canvases, and not be pigeon-holed to any one sound. I would hope that those who love me as an artist will enjoy the ride, just as I will, and embrace the different directions I take sonically. I’m excited about all the music I’m set to release, and even more so for the music, I have yet to create.
6. Was there a pivotal moment that made you realize you wanted to pursue music full-time?
I think if you ask any artist this question, you’ll get a beautiful story – I absolutely had a pivotal moment in my life that changed everything, and I’ll never forget it. Back in 2013, I was on a retreat with a campus organization through my university. On this retreat, we had a guest speaker who, for some reason, approached me and asked to get lunch during our time there. The next day, sitting across from one another at a lunch table, he asked me, “So what are you studying?” At the time, I was studying Business, as I hadn’t yet come to the realization that music was what I truly wanted to pursue. I reluctantly replied, “I’m studying Business at the moment…” He then shrugged and said, “Okay,” and continued eating. A little while later he asked me, “Why?” It was at that moment that I realized I had no idea what the hell I was doing with my life, and knew that if we only get one life, I had to do it right. Shortly after that conversation I called my parents and said, “Hey guys, I’m switching majors… I have to study music.” They both froze and said, “What? Are you sure about this?” And without a doubt in my mind, I said yes. Since that day, I never looked back, and for that am I glad.
7. What do you want people to take away from your writing/music?
I would hope that my music moves people, and I don’t mean physically (although that’s always an added bonus). I want my music to evoke the exact emotion that you were hoping to feel by pressing play. As an artist, I feel that my sole mission is to put into words exactly what it is that you’re looking to feel. When I successfully portray an emotion that I personally feel in my chest, there is no greater high. I hope that listeners around the world are only searching for music that moves them on a visceral level.
8. Tell us something most people don’t know about you.
I am unhealthily obsessed with tennis. When quarantine began I realized that I had tennis courts in my apartment complex, so I decided to pick it up. Since then, I’ve been playing about 2 to 3 hours a day, and using my spare time to either practice or watch games. I’m not quite sure what it is about tennis, but I fell for it hook, line and sinker. I often ask myself, “What was life before tennis?” I’ll likely go play right after this.
Don’t forget to watch “Necesitas” (that is out NOW) and to follow Taylor on social media: Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter.