Just Us Folk

With his two previous albums, 2020’s The Ridge and 2022’s Beyond the Reservoir, listeners got a glimpse into singer-songwriter Julian Taylor’s journey to adulthood. His newest album, Pathways, is a look into the man he has become, with all the questions, self-doubts and search for a better world that comes with a clearer understanding of who you are.

At this year’s Folk Music Ontario 2024 Conference, Julian explained it.

“It’s definitely a record where I’m looking inward and addressing things in this particular time in my life that concern me and I try to overcome,” he said.

The song ‘Weighing Down’ admits that sometimes we can be our own worst enemies, preventing us from moving forward in a positive way.

“We’ve all gone through mistakes and made choices we had to pay the consequences for,” he said. “But I feel the universe is unfolding exactly as it should be. It’s just that sometimes we don’t like the way it’s unfolded and usually it’s because of ourselves and what we’ve done.”

The act of songwriting can be a mysterious exercise to embark on. Whether a novice or a seasoned professional, getting to the point of having a finished song can take a different path every time. Julian is no different.

“I set out to write these songs, but I don’t know how they came to be. It’s kind of a marvel to listen back to any recorded music let alone my own. What comes out of people is pretty wild. I’ve come to think of it as, these people have been blessed with a way of visiting the other side and bringing back what they find there. We can’t bring it all back because it’s so mysterious and wonderful.”

Assisting Julian with translating the mysteries of life into a musical form was co-producer Colin Linden. Working at Jukasa Studios on Six Nations of the Grand River and later at Colin’s Pinhead Recorders in Nashville, Julian found a like-minded collaborator who was also able to motivate him to reach another level as an artist.

“He helped me simplify things a little bit. Pathways isn’t really busy. Creating a lot of space on the record was very interesting. I’ve produced a lot of my records, so I’m not used to handing over the production reins. But I’m getting used to it.”

The title song, a duet with Allison Russell, sees Julian searching for meaning and connection in this life.

“She’s an amazing person, an incredible musician and a beautiful force of nature,” Julian said. “I’m so happy and honoured we’re friends and that I get to be in the same world as her.”

This friendship showed itself recently when Julian and Six Nations singer-songwriter Logan Staats performed “Acadian Driftwood” with Allison at the tribute to Robbie Robertson of The Band called “Life Is a Carnival”, held in Los Angeles. The all-star line-up included Eric Clapton, Daniel Landis, Taj Mahal, Van Morrison, Mavis Staples and more.

Touring in support of Pathways will comprise solo and band shows across Canada and the U.S., with European dates planned for the new year.

“It’s hard to balance the solo and band shows because I can go out on my own and do it. It’s a lot cheaper,” Julian said. “But it’s also really nice to have a band and give’er. It’s also nice to have friends with you ‘cause it gets lonely on the road.”

Speaking of balance, there’s also the matter of Julian’s syndicated radio show, “Julian Taylor’s Jukebox”, heard coast to coast on both sides of the border on a variety of stations.

“I don’t know if I balance anything very well. I try my best though. I wish I had the capacity to do more for people. At the same time, I have to make sure I look after myself too.”

For Truth and Reconciliation Day, Julian has been in school classrooms working with kids as a result of the popularity of his song, “S.E.E.D.S.” This year, he was involved with the special radio programming for Truth and Reconciliation Day. “I was very honoured to be asked. I got to introduce some very interesting people. It was a big learning curve for me too. They had interesting stories and perspectives to share.”

The releases of The Ridge and Beyond The Reservoir was met with critical acclaim resulting in nominations for Juno Awards, Canadian Folk Music Awards, International Acoustic Music Awards, Native American Music Awards and the Polaris Music Prize. The initial response to Pathways has already been very positive with glowing reviews from Americana UK, No Depression and KLOF magazine.

One of Julian’s goals with his music is that by sharing his experiences through his songs, it helps others knowing they’ve found a kindred spirit in him.

“As long as I’m around, breathing this air, I’m going to try to help people and move forward together.”

For more on Julian Taylor and Pathways, go to https://juliantaylormusic.ca/home.