Meet Taylor Jensen | Singer-Songwriter-Artist

We had the good fortune of connecting with Taylor Jensen and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Taylor, have you ever found yourself in a spot where you had to decide whether to give up or keep going? How did you make the choice?
This is such a loaded question. I love it! I can accredit my strong will for not giving up to my mother and her mother. Both instilled courage and grit into my life from a young age. I’ve always been a visual person and I watched both women continue to show up for what they loved continuously through every trial life threw at them. While their pursuits were not art related, I apply everything they taught me by example into my art and it’s truly I think, a big part of what’s gotten me to the place I am in today with my career.

I think the term “giving up” often gets a bad rep. I like to think of it as redirection. Sometimes, letting go and giving up on the expectations and preconceived idea of how something, a painting, a song, or how getting a raise was supposed to work out is the thing that will set you free and actually move you closer towards that dream. We often get so caught up in the step by step plan that we don’t allow for life to actually happen and flow through us. The real magic is in the growth and the lessons learned in the in-between. I urge you to fall in love with the journey and less on the end goal. The finish line is constantly moving, life is always in motion and that’s the best part.
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In my own journey to becoming the artist and songwriter I am today, I “gave up” multiple times. I gave up on getting a university degree in music, I gave up singing in public altogether for a few years after that and I contemplated giving up this beautiful life at one time or another, I gave up people I loved because I knew I deserved better and I gave up on the image other people had of me and paved my own path. How did I know to keep going? This deep, unwavering gut feeling that the songs I write could be the very thing that makes someone else feel seen. It’s always been about connection for me. The idea that across all cultures and languages the energy of music can be understood and the idea that there is no right or wrong way to reach your goals.

Giving up is not always easy, neither is keeping going when the going gets real tough. If you really believe in your dreams, if you really listen to yourself and know that that is what your calling is, there is nothing that can keep you from creating, from singing, from writing, from dreaming. I dare you to give up on the things you know don’t allow you to be who you truly are even if you have this idea that that’s how it’s “supposed” to be. However, that doesn’t mean to say you shouldn’t show up for yourself. So, I gave up on Jazz school… cool. Well, I was supposed to be a Country Artist, singer and songwriter and that “giving up led me to that redirection and to stay true to my craft. Not for anyone else, but for me. At the end of the day, this is MY life, MY journey, My artistic outlet.

To end, only you will know deep down the answer to the question above. I hope my insights offer some comfort if you’re reading this feeling a little lot right now. I promise whatever you choose, it’ll all work out in one way or another.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
I don’t know how to describe my music aside from the fact it is quite literally my personality in sound form. It’s honest and relatable, a little punchy and spicy but also raw and unfiltered. It’s life. It might make you cry but also maybe wanna kick down a door. I love telling stories, whether from personal experiences, drawing on the people around me or just letting my imagination take the reins.

Getting to where I am now in my career was anything but easy, and I don’t presume it’ll get any easier but nothing worth having ever is and I’m so ready to put in the work. There was a period of time where I wasn’t sure I’d ever sing publicly again let alone find the courage or vulnerability to share the songs I’ve written with the world. It really took a lot of therapy and learning trusting myself but I wouldn’t trade any adversity I faced for the easy route. Unfortunately, a part of my story is all to familiar to that of hundreds or thousands of women around the world but the lessons of hard work, showing resilience and kindness instilled in me by those around me growing up in a small town off the Coast of Cape Breton Island NS are ones I’ll take with me wherever I go and a theme that will show up in my songwriting time and time again. I feel my music bridges the gap between those values, the storytelling of old country music I grew up on and the modern world as I know it.

There’s something about the character that develops through facing obstacles in life that I’ve always been drawn to in others. The stories it creates and the grit it gives a person. I’ve always admired that about other storytellers and I’ve learned to love that part of myself as well and really apply it to my songwriting, not shying away from the nitty gritty. It really is so easy to get swept up in the highlight reels of it all with social media but, they don’t really write country songs about Tesla’s and charcuterie boards…or maybe they do? I’ll have to think about writing that one. Over the past few years I’ve had to really take a step back and work on parts of myself, overcoming trauma and working on my mental health to rediscover myself as an artist, myself as an individual and being vulnerable. It’s still something I work towards everyday. My advice is just keep showing up, even n the days you feel unsteady and your voice shakes.

A common question I get asked is when did I choose to do music as a career? Honestly? I don’t think I did, I think it chose me. I can’t remember a time when I wasn’t making or playing music one way or another and I’ve always known that’s what I wanted to do. When I felt lost or if I couldn’t find the words to say I would put it into a song. I always felt like I didn’t fit in growing up ( I still don’t half the time) and as much as I’m grateful for where I grew up I always had this craving for adventure. Following that feeling was not easy but, sometimes you just have to go for it! Write the song, get on the stage, get the haircut, run the race.

I began playing fiddle at age 5 and the first time I sang to a crowd on a stage I was 11 or 12. I never looked back. I lost my footing and myself along the way but I found my way back. I started sharing my writing about a year and half ago after I took every little bit of money I had saved and went on a trip to Costa Rica. That trip reignited a spark for sharing my art again. I released my first official single “End of the Road’ spring of 2024 followed by my second single “OVER” in the fall. I don’t plan on stopping any time soon and already have plans to release the next chapter and more in 2025, so keep your eyes out. The community and opportunities that have presented themselves have been dreams come true. Sometimes I have to pinch myself but also remember to thank myself for showing up in rooms I didn’t belong in and advocating for my art, for doing the work behind the scenes and spending hours and hours on my craft. There isn’t a day I’m not grateful for the people that never stopped believing in me along the way, even when I didn’t believe in myself.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
I currently reside in the city of Halifax, however we would definitely be making a trip to my hometown of Inverness, Cape Breton Island for a day or two and taking in all the beautiful coastal scenery, spending a day at the beach and making sure to catch a sunset. For me it also wouldn’t be a visit home without an afternoon to Inverness Raceway to watch my grandmothers horse race and a visit to The Dancing Goat for lunch before the journey back to Halifax.

Once back in the city we would definitely be hitting up the night time music scene of downtown where so many of my talented friends play at various venues, Not first before taking a stroll along the Halifax waterfront and grabbing a drink on one of the many beer gardens over looking the night lights glistening off the harbor eventually making our way up to the hustle and bustle of Argyle street. First stop would likely be checking out any shows at The Carleton, listening to live music at Durty Nellys and finishing off the night dancing away at The Pint where my good friend DJ Skeeter B would be spinning the tunes all night. Of course, the night wouldn’t be complete without a quick stop to Johny’s Pork Shack on the infamous Pizza Corner for some pork dumplings… which I am currently OBSESSED with!!

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
Where do I even begin? I could spend a long time and make a long list of people who have helped shape me into the artist I am today. So, I dedicate my shoutout to anyone whose ever held space for me, taken a chance on me, listened to me ramble and helped bring my songs and ideas to life without hesitation. To my amazing mom, an artist and writer by her own right for teaching me to be tough and do the things that set my soul on fire while remaining kind and caring. Watching us grow together into the women we are today is the best prize this life could have given me. I don’t think I’d be anywhere near where I am today without your wisdom guiding me along the way. To the amazing artists and women I’m surrounded by who have and continue to inspire me with resilience and confidence, I am in awe of you daily. I see the work you put in and I raise a toast to it. To a friend of mine who I shall not name, who believed in me being an artist from the moment we met, never once doubting my abilities to create. Your words, guidance when I’m asking a million questions and friendship have meant more to me on this journey than you’ll ever know. Lastly, but never least the magical Steph McNamara whose provided these amazing photos and introduced me to the world of The Artists Way and a group of women I can now call family and of course Laurel Browne and Nancy Hilton for providing me with the strongest foundation for my confidence and love for music to grow on. I could never thank you all enough!

Website: https://taylordelaneyjensen.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/itsjusttaylorjensen/?next=%2F

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/taylordelaneyjensen

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@Itsjusttaylorjensen

Other: Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/71qpTPNujRocmQhpi5hcvF?si=mqY2cHZHRbGaDyXRIzUGag
Apple Music:https://music.apple.com/us/artist/taylor-jensen/617413452

Image Credits
Stephanie McNamara (@stephmcnamara.artist)
Tristan Hyde (@tristanhydephotography)