Taylor Austin Dye is a power to be reckoned with in nation music, combining unflinching honesty with powerhouse vocals that go away an enduring impression. With the discharge of her sophomore album, Sick of Me, she takes listeners on an introspective journey, exploring themes of self-worth, private development, and the messiness of life’s struggles. From her poignant lyrics to her uncooked, emotional performances, Taylor’s music resonates deeply, reflecting her small-town Booneville roots and her evolution as an artist. Recent off her Grand Ole Opry debut and with a extremely anticipated tour on the horizon, Taylor continues to solidify her place within the nation music scene as one among its most genuine and thrilling voices.
Congratulations on the discharge of your sophomore album, Sick of Me. Are you able to inform us a bit concerning the inspiration behind this album and its deeply introspective themes?
Thanks a lot! I’m very happy with this one. Sick of Me has one thing for everybody. The songs cowl a variety of themes—partying, heartache, loss, gold diggers, and self-deprecation. It got here from a spot of deep reflection. It’s about these moments while you’re uninterested in your individual excuses and able to make a change. Life can get heavy, and this album captures the messy elements of navigating self-doubt, heartbreak, and development. The inspiration got here from my very own experiences and conversations with individuals who’ve felt the identical method. I needed these songs to be a bit uncooked, a bit uncomfortable, but additionally relatable.
The title monitor, “Sick of Me,” dives into themes of self-deprecation and the need for private change. How did you strategy writing such a uncooked and trustworthy music, and what does it imply to you personally?
Writing Sick of Me felt like a remedy session with my guitar. I didn’t maintain again—I needed it to be as trustworthy as attainable. The lyrics got here out of an evening after I was feeling caught, pissed off, and able to face my flaws. To me, this music is a turning level. It’s about admitting you’re not excellent however being keen to do the exhausting work to get higher. Enjoying it stay at all times takes me again to that susceptible place, and I hope it does the identical for listeners. Shoutout to Jamie and Natalia for being such unbelievable co-writers!
The album explores questions of self-worth and private development. Might you share what impressed these themes and the way your journey has influenced the music?
My journey has been stuffed with ups and downs, and I needed Sick of Me to mirror that. Rising up in Booneville, you study to be robust, however you don’t at all times discover ways to be sort to your self. Quite a lot of these songs come from that wrestle—attempting to determine if I’m adequate and what “sufficient” even means. Music has at all times been my method of processing life, so these themes naturally discovered their method into the album.
“Relaxation In Peace” was an enormous hit, reaching the highest of the iTunes charts and amassing tens of millions of views. Did the success of that single affect your strategy to Sick of Me, and in that case, in what methods?
Completely. The success of “Relaxation In Peace” confirmed me how a lot folks connect with good storytelling and heavier topic issues. It gave me the arrogance to be much more open and uncooked with Sick of Me. I additionally realized the ability of a powerful melody and relatable lyrics, so I actually targeted on making each music on this album hit dwelling emotionally. “RIP” and my first album jogged my memory that folks need hard-hitting vulnerability in music, and that’s what I goal to present them.
The music video for “Sick of Me” has simply been launched! Are you able to share some perception into the visible idea and the way it enhances the music’s themes?
The video is all about capturing that feeling of being trapped in your individual head. We used loads of darkish, moody lighting and shot in a lonely hospital room to present it a way of isolation. There’s this scene the place I’m observing myself within the mirror, which actually ties into the theme of self-reflection. I’m operating from the medical doctors, attempting to flee myself. The video is uncooked and emotional, similar to the music, and I feel it provides one other layer to the story.
Coming from Booneville, Kentucky, how has your background influenced your journey as a rustic artist, and do you see components of that upbringing mirrored in Sick of Me?
Booneville is an enormous a part of who I’m. Rising up there taught me resilience and gave me a deep love for storytelling and guitar picking. Quite a lot of the grit and honesty in my music comes from these roots. In Sick of Me, you possibly can hear that small-town affect in my lyrics and guitar work, notably in “Poison In The Effectively” and “Little Miss Fortune.” It’s my method of carrying a chunk of dwelling with me wherever I am going.
What has been probably the most rewarding a part of creating Sick of Me, and the way do you’re feeling it displays your development as an artist since your debut album, Out of These Hills?
Probably the most rewarding half has been seeing how a lot I’ve grown, each personally and as an artist. Out of These Hills was largely about discovering my voice, however Sick of Me is about proudly owning it. This album feels extra assured and intentional. I pushed myself creatively, particularly with songwriting and music movies, and it’s been wonderful to see the way it all got here collectively.
Should you may sum up the message or emotion you hope followers really feel when listening to Sick of Me, what wouldn’t it be?
I hope they really feel seen. This album is for anybody who’s ever doubted themselves however saved going anyway. Life’s messy, however there’s magnificence within the wrestle. I need followers to realize it’s okay to really feel caught or damaged—so long as you retain preventing to develop, you’re doing simply fantastic.
This album marks a milestone in your profession along with your latest Grand Ole Opry debut. What does this achievement imply to you to carry out on such a legendary stage?
It was surreal. The Opry has been a dream of mine since I used to be a bit lady. Once I was at school, I visited the Opry with some classmates. I walked throughout the circle and knew I needed to play there at some point. Lastly, stepping onto that stage was surreal. It’s like standing within the footsteps of legends who paved the way in which for artists like me. I even bought to fulfill Ashley McBryde for the primary time, which was such a privilege. I felt so grateful and honored… it’s a second I’ll always remember!
Having just lately wrapped up your Sick of Me tour, how did it really feel to share this undertaking with audiences, and what can followers look ahead to out of your stay exhibits sooner or later?
It’s been so cool hitting the highway and sharing these songs stay. My preliminary Sick of Me tour was an enormous success, to not point out a great deal of enjoyable. There’s nothin’ just like the vitality of a crowd singing together with you. Followers can proceed to count on an emotional rollercoaster—rowdy moments, quiet ones, and all the pieces in between. In fact, I at all times be certain that to have my guitar with me, entrance and heart.
You’ve shared the stage with unbelievable acts like Luke Combs and Keith City. How have these experiences influenced your efficiency fashion or your outlook as an artist?
Opening for legendary artists like Luke and Keith has taught me the significance of connecting with the gang. They make it look easy, and it’s inspiring to see how a lot coronary heart they put into each efficiency. I’ve tried to deliver a few of that very same authenticity and vitality to my very own exhibits.
You’ve just lately signed a publishing cope with Warner Chappell Music. How has this new partnership formed your music or songwriting strategy for this album?
Signing with Warner Chappell has been an enormous blessing. It’s opened doorways for me to jot down with a few of Nashville’s greatest, and I’m excited to proceed filling my calendar. This album wouldn’t have been what it’s with out the assistance of so many proficient songwriters. Their enter and assist have given me the arrogance to take dangers and belief my instincts. Shoutout to Ben and Bethany for making my Warner deal a actuality!
Your fanbase, the “Journey or Dyes,” is extremely loyal and rising quickly. What function does your reference to followers play in your music and the themes you select to discover?
My Journey or Dyes imply the world to me. They’re like household. Their assist provides me the braveness to be susceptible in my music. Figuring out they connect with the themes I write about—whether or not it’s heartbreak, resilience, or self-doubt—makes all of it value it.
As somebody who has shortly risen within the nation music scene, what recommendation would you give to different aspiring artists seeking to make their mark within the business?
Keep true to who you might be. This business will be robust, and it’s straightforward to get caught up in what others assume you ought to be. However if you happen to keep genuine and put your coronary heart into your music, folks will join with it. Additionally, by no means underestimate the ability of exhausting work and a great guitar
Sick of Me tracklist:
Sick of Me
Echo
Breakeven
Nearly Oklahoma
Damage My Emotions
Pretend Ring
Poison In The Effectively
Little Miss Fortune
Pharmacy
As Lengthy As You Go away
Nothing Left To Burn
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