By Dominic Salamone
Photo: stewarttayloroffical.com
Stewart Taylor has wanted to be a singer since he was seven years old. He got his start at Berklee College of Music in Boston, where he met American Idol’s Kara DioGuardi. She introduced Stewart to Charlie Puth, who taught him the inner-workings of the studio. After graduating Berklee, Stewart gigged in New York City for two years before making his way to Los Angeles, where he lives now.
“Show business is a huge hustle,” he reflects. “It involves a lot of rejection, tons of networking, recording sessions, and figuring out how you’re going to pay your bills and rent. I’ve worked so many part-time and dead-end jobs to make ends meet and have moved so many times, but I’m still here!”
His new single is “Mess Your Hair Up.” In it, Stewart encourages fansto be playful and adventurous in the bedroom. “It’s important to have fun with your partner or partners,” he says. “Be adventurous; have a good time!” He explains more.
Who inspired “Mess Your Hair Up?”
My boyfriend at the time. I had recently moved to LA from New York and we were still dating long distance. He sent me a really sexy picture post haircut, and I told him I wanted to jump on him and mess his hair up.
The song is a cross between Justin Timberlake and Prince.
I’ve found, lately, that I’m more at home making pop music with an R&B/Funk twist. For “Mess Your Hair Up,” I went into the studio with my co-writers and told my producer I wanted to channel Off the Wall-era Michael Jackson.
You nailed it!
Thanks! I’m proud of the song.
How is Los Angeles treating you these days?
It’s fun but hard, too. I think what people don’t realize about moving to any big city for show business is that it’s not very welcoming at first.
Has being out about your sexuality made things even harder?
Even with all the progress the LGBTQ has made in the last few years, it’s still harder to break through if you’re not an All-American straight boy or girl. But all of my favorite artists and songwriters started from nothing and built empires, despite obstacles and adversity.
What do you hope fans take away from your music?
I want fans to not only feel good when they listen to my music, but to also be motivated and inspired to be themselves, spread love, never give up, and to live so loud that the world can’t help but take notice.
How do you feel about people messing up your hair?
It’s fine. As long as we’re under the sheets.
—
Visit stewarttaylorofficial.com, and follow on Instagram @Stewarttaylormusic