Exclusive Interview: Pop Culturalist Chats with Taylor DeBlock

Taylor DeBlock is an artist to keep your eye on in 2020. The talented singer-songwriter is climbing the ranks of the industry the right way with a pop/R&B sound that we can’t get enough of. Today he drops his latest release, “Right Way,” and we caught up to learn about the inspiration behind the song and his journey as a musician.

PC: How did you discover your passion for music?
Taylor: I got into music when I was about thirteen. My sister sings opera and forced me to start taking voice lessons. From that point, this passion continued to grow. I actually didn’t like it at first. It was super embarrassing for me to sing in front of people. It made me really uncomfortable, but my sister and mom would push me to continue to pursue it. Eventually, it caught on, and I fell in love with it.

PC: You said in a previous interview that you were shy about sharing your passion for music with your friends. How did you overcome those nerves?
Taylor: The biggest hurdle was my senior year of high school. Some of my best friends and I dared each other to do the musical, which was Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory. We were like, “Hey, man. If you do it, I’ll do it.” That was my first exposure in front of a huge crowd and having fun with music and singing. That was the beginning of me feeling comfortable in front of a large audience.

PC: Who or what has had the biggest influence on your career?
Taylor: In terms of getting started with music, my sister was the biggest influence. She pushed me so hard at a young age to pursue it. At the same time, my parents were both there for me. When I was in college, I went in studying business. A year into college, I had a couple of conversations with people and I knew in my heart that it wasn’t for me. I wanted to pursue music, and so I switched to music production and graduated with that degree. My parents were always there for me, affirming me and showing me that I didn’t have to do something that people expected me to do; I can do whatever I want. They made me feel comfortable about pursuing music.

PC: You’ve been really open about the highs and lows of this industry. During those more challenging times, how were you able to persevere? Who or what’s instilled that fight in you?
Taylor: I have a really good team behind me. The people that I turn to have always been incredibly encouraging. I heard one time in an interview by SAINt JHN that they asked him, “When you look back on your life and you could talk to your younger self, what would you say?” He said I would tell him, “Keep going.”

It’s something that internally you have to believe in, as crazy as it might be. If you don’t believe in it, no one else will. I have to stay true to myself and promise myself, “I’ve got this. I got to keep going.” Eventually, other people will catch on. I think having people around me that are encouraging me on a regular basis saying, “I know this is hard, but keep going,” that’s been huge for me.

PC: You’ve got a new single out. Tell us about “Right Way” and the inspiration behind the song.
Taylor: “Right Way” was birthed from an unsuccessful romance. It speaks to something that we’ve all gone through: trying your absolute best in a relationship and something just doesn’t add up. It doesn’t work out. I know I’m not alone in that, and a lot of people have gone through it. It felt like something that was true to what I was going through at the time and ended up being a beautiful way to say when you try your best and it doesn’t work out, that’s okay.

PC: You’re also getting ready to release your debut EP. What can fans expect? What do you hope to say with this body of work?
Taylor: I’m incredibly excited about it. I’m working with my good friend, Kayhan Ahmadi. He’s been coproducing on it. It shows an array of colors in terms of my sound. It reflects who I am as an artist ranging from the R&B side to the pop side because I love it all. When we first started it, it felt like a mixtape where it was a multitude of different sounds, and then we narrowed it down to more of my sound. It still reflects different parts of who I am as an artist, so really excited to show people the different aspects of my sound.

PC: If you had to pick one song off the debut EP that best encompasses who you are as an artist, what would it be and why?
Taylor: I’ll probably say the song that’s coming out after “Right Way,” which is called “Necessitas.” It’s a Spanglish song. It’s very R&B, but it’s very pop as well. It just feels real good. I’m a light, goofy guy, and I like to have fun. That’s how it feels. It has a very sexy vibe. It’s a lot of fun—something that people can dance along to and have a good time. That’s definitely a big part of my sound. Aside from the R&B slower songs, I love to bring it more upbeat and have fun, and that one definitely encompasses my sound a lot.

Pop Culturalist Speed Round

PC: A band or artist that fans would be surprised to learn is on your playlist?
Taylor: Kaash Paige. If you haven’t checked her out, you should. She’s amazing. Been a fan of her for a minute, but people might expect that. Maybe the 1975 or Japanese House. Those are artists I love, even though it’s not exactly what I sound like. I gravitate towards them because it’s just beautiful music.

PC: First album you bought?
Taylor: *NSYNC’s debut album. I probably bumped that way too much in the basement of my parents’ house. [laughs] I’ve looked up to Justin Timberlake for a long time as an artist and an individual.

PC: First concert you attended?
Taylor: It was a Relient K concert. They’re a punk band that was popular in the ’90s and 2000s.

PC: An album that changed your life and why?
Taylor: The first one that comes to my head is channel ORANGE by Frank Ocean. That album shaped my friendship with one of my best buds. It was an iconic sound that I was addicted to. When I listen to music like that that inspires me to get to that level, it inspires me to make my own music. It’s almost like, “This is so good. I want to make something that’s this good.”

PC: A venue on your bucket list to perform at?
Taylor: The Forum in LA. That’s ultimate bucket list. Or Staples Center. I think coming up, though, over the next couple of years, I’d love to perform at the Roxy in LA.

PC: A must-have on the road?
Taylor: Water is the most adult drink of all time. We all need to be drinking more water. I feel like since college, I have, like, one glass of wine and the next day I’m hungover somehow. So I’m a big on water these days.

To keep up with Taylor, follow him on Twitter and Instagram. Pick up or stream “Right Now” today.

Photo Credit: Paul Weaver