Kit Taylor – Persephone

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Award-winning singer-songwriter Kit Taylor makes waves across country with hit album ‘Love + Pain’

PORTLAND, OR – Kit Taylor is the greatest songwriter you don’t know … yet. But that’s all about to change thanks to his new album “Love + Pain.” The piano-driven pop-infused album is such a powerhouse that it already has won three awards – including wins in the Independent Music Awards, the Great American Song Contest and the Mid-Atlantic Song Contest.

Even before its release, the album received praise from several prominent artists who are featured on some of the tracks, including David Torn, a songwriter and guitarist for people like Madonna and John Legend; and Jennifer Batten, a guitarist for Michael Jackson and Jeff Beck.

“Kit is a force to be reckoned with,” Batten said. “A young, hella-talented singer-songwriter with a great sense of musical excitement… I had a blast playing on his record.”

Likened to a young David Foster – one of music’s most-talented piano players – Taylor has carved out a niche for himself with both his masterful piano playing and his unique ability to write a hit pop song. While he does perform and sing, his ultimate goal is to become one of the premier songwriters within the industry, collaborating with as many other artists as he can. “Love + Pain” is his resume, so to speak, but also a statement to the world of the kind of high quality music he can make.

“I’m trying to push every avenue as an artist and songwriter,” he said. “I want people to see that I have a way of writing pop music that is relatable to all kinds of demographics. I’m a 90s boy and grew up obsessed with boy bands. I’m trying to take the art behind writing a huge, sexy hook – which will always be the crux of a great song – without losing the melodic sensibility. I’m trying to bring back melody and the beauty of melody, alliteration and catchy lines that come back and repeat themselves – kind of like an ear worm that sticks in your head.”

A great example of this is his new single “Persephone.” Working with professional singer Joey Diggs, Taylor wrote a song that has been likened to the sound of Ed Sheeran’s “Shape of You.” It’s a song about an ex-girlfriend that he just can’t get out of his mind. Persephone, the Greek goddess of the underworld, is used as a mythological reference that serves as a metaphor for modern-day relationships. The memory of his ex-girlfriend has become a myth with a name that goes unspoken, which is what they said about Persephone.

“My specialty is heartbreak and love songs,” Taylor said. “I’ve always been a pretty emotional dude, and I can visualize things in lyrics. So love and heartbreak has been strong for me. I write catchy pop songs, and love is definitely the thing that gets me motivated. I love to use imagery and power words – words that evoke emotion. The kind of words you know when you read one or hear one it catches your eye or ear and makes you want to keep listening. Ultimately I want to write songs that you can’t ignore because they’re so full of irresistible ear candy.”

As Taylor rides the wave of success off “Love + Pain,” he’s already hard at work on more music. He’s also participating in more music contests, and has some live shows lined up for this summer.