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Interview with Michelle Taylor
I had it in my head that I would try to get an interview with Michelle before she had her baby. I am almost too late. Michelle sat down with me recently before a gig at Marco’s and I got to learn all kinds of interesting things about her and life as a female vocalist…And a pregnant one at that. I have to admit when Michelle kept gigging deep into her pregnancy it made this story even more of a ‘have to’, but pregnancy aside I’ve always admired Michelle’s vocals and stage presence and I would have wanted to interview her regardless. Now if I wasn’t so slow to the punch we could have done this months ago and Michelle wouldn’t have had to answer the question of “so when are you due…” a gazillion times. Either way, it’s up here now, and if you hurry to the clubs you might just catch one of her last shows before she takes time off with the baby. So without further adieu…I give you Michelle Taylor.
Where did you grow up and how do you think it has influenced you musically? I grew up here (in Washington). I was born south of here in Puyallup and lived there until I was about 5 or 6. We moved to the Kirkland area and I’ve been living on the north-end ever since. I moved to the Everett/Lynnwood area around the time I joined Expertease because all of our gigs were in this area. It was just too far to travel to Kirkland. I’d get done with a gig and have to drive an hour at 2 am and that became a pain. So I’ve been here ever since. It’s influenced me in that I’ve been singing since I was a kid, Jr. High, High school choir, all the functions, that kind of thing. I come from a very musical family as far as my Aunts and Uncles are all very musically talented. They were in bands and what-not. My mom has twin sisters that sing in a Christian band down in California along with their husbands, her other sister was a singer too, married a music professor. So we always had family parties where the organ was playing and people were singing. In my immediate family though, I think, well my mom, my dad, my brother, none of them have any musical talent. (Laughs) I never picked up any musical instruments though, which I wish I had done at an earlier age. Like the guitar or the piano, I think I could have gone down a different avenue if I had…trying to pick it up at an older age just seems very difficult. I tried learning the acoustic guitar a couple years ago, bought a beautiful guitar, thinking “how hard can it be”, well it’s a lot harder than it looks. We’ve established you don’t play any musical instruments, so what instrument is your favorite to listen to? I would have to say the acoustic guitar; I love the sound of the acoustic guitar. Like I said, I think if I had learned the acoustic guitar I would be doing things differently. I don’t read music, and if I played an instrument I would be able to compose as well as perform. That’s something I’d like to do. What other bands have you been in? Expertease is the first band I’ve been in. Other than school stuff this is it. Rick said he thought you had been in a musical duo prior to Expertease… Oh I did, I did, I wouldn’t really consider that a band. But before I joined Expertease I was involved. I worked with a gentleman who does a lot of blue grass, plays the fiddle, the ukulele, the guitar, very talented. In fact he’s put out several cd’s. He’s mainly bluegrass and Christian. He kinda mixes the two. We teamed up and did some dinner music type stuff. I taught him some cover tunes, which was fun because he had only wrote his own music. So we would do this thing that was like an open mike, but you had to try out, so it wasn’t like anyone could be in it. We did that for a good couple years. It was fun, it was really low key and I enjoyed it. But I wanted to get into something a little more involved. Do you get out and see other cover bands? Do you have a favorite? You know, I uh. It’s funny ‘cause you know pretty much since I joined Expertease our schedule is crazy. I’ve been with this band almost 6 years and we don’t get a lot of time off. So really getting out seeing other bands is something I wish I had done more of before I got into the band. I will say your Aphrodisiacs, your Beatnicks, folks like them are very talented. They are kind of on a different level then we are, they do a different thing…I’m trying to think of who I’ve seen. I know, you guys are always working. I was thinking maybe when you do festivals you might get to check out the other bands. Yeah, there is that. And also sometimes if we get off a little early we might try to scoot down and see the end of someone else’s show. I just don’t know though. Everyone out there is just so talented; I really just think it’s more about the people. Square One was always one of my favorite bands, just the people in it. We were friends, they befriended me and we had a lot of camaraderie. That’s what I like. Some bands just don’t really give you the time of day. You know you can like their music all you like but it’s so much better when you’ve developed a relationship. Square One was one of those bands, Frank and Rick…I’d also say the Jones band. My ex-husband played with them, and that’s how we met Mikey our drummer. So anyway, I wouldn’t say I have a favorite; it’s more about who I’m friends with. So what do you think is the most vital element in creating a successful cover band? Gosh, you know, I think all of the musicians that I’ve seen on the circuit are just so talented in one way or another. I guess with Expertease I would have to say it’s our commitment to each other and that we are more than just a band. We are friends. We do things outside of the band together, we talk to each other on the phone, and we share our personal lives with each other. I’m not saying we don’t have our squabbles, you know, shit happens, and so you deal with it. And we’ve always managed to deal with it on a professional level, set our personal feelings aside and at the end of the day, walk away being friends. That is really the key. One thing I’ve seen in the circuit is a lot of turn over, with singers especially. In my opinion it would be difficult to have a solid product when you are constantly turning over employees. Just like in any job. So I think that is one of the things. Now granted, we’ve had 2 turnovers in the 6 years I’ve been with Expertease, but they were very graceful transitions so we’ve been lucky that way. The reason behind people leaving is always a big deal too. John left because he couldn’t keep up with the schedule…playing 4 weekends a month, having 2 children and a full time job. After 3 years of it he just couldn’t keep doing it, and we respected that, so no hard feelings. And Dan, it was the same thing. He had been with Expertease for a long time, even before me. And with starting a new business the schedule was just too much. But the great thing is we are all still good friends. They come out, and Dan fills in for us when we need him. And Gerald, we were able to get him and he picked up on our stuff very quickly and it was a smooth transition, we’ve been very lucky. We never missed a beat. So anyway, other than being musically talented I just think being a ‘unit’ is incredibly important. Mutual respect and genuine friends. What do you think is the hardest part about being in a band? For me, for me, it’s not like a regular job. You don’t get sick days, you don’t get “I’m going to be a few minutes late.” You know, I suppose there are bands out there that don’t care, and treat it that way…but you can’t be successful that way. For me, you’re sick, you play, I don’t care if you’re throwing up 20 minutes before the gig. The band can’t find a replacement singer for me in 20 minutes, it’s not possible. Same thing for Norm or Gerald or Mike. I think that’s the toughest thing, because there are times when you don’t feel like playing. So that’s been an adjustment. I think in 6 years I’ve had, well I’ve had 2 surgeries…It’s a huge responsibility. It’s not just about you; it’s about the other people in the band, the bar depending on the band, etc. It’s the hardest thing for me just knowing come rain or shine, the show must go on. As you can see at 8 and ½ months pregnant I’m still doing it and people are saying, “I can’t believe you’re still doing it.” But the band is having a hard time finding someone and as long as I’m ok I’m going to hang in here until they can find someone to fill in for me. Otherwise, they are without a gig, the agents are without their pay, the bar is without a band. I take the responsibility very serious. What is your favorite thing about being in a band? Besides just being able to sing…The people. I’m a people person. I’ve met a lot of great people. The band, the fans, I’ve just met some really cool people. Well, I’ve met some not so cool people too-there is the flip side to that too…but the people, they are my favorite thing. I’ve met some great folks and become good friends; they will be at the hospital when I have the baby. It’s just a great way to network and meet new people and friends. If you could change something about the industry what would it be? I would say if I could change something about the industry it would be the general politics that are involved. Why bands get certain things, why certain things happen…you know, if you’re close to your agent you get certain benefits, and certain bands get to do this or that. I just don’t like the politics. Now I know certain bands are better than others, but I really think everyone is out there doing the same thing, working equally hard, but I don’t think it’s necessarily fair that certain people that put just as much time, effort and passion into what they are doing get knocked down by someone else that might be able to ‘kiss a little more ass’. It’s difficult. The casinos they want a certain thing, a certain look, certain act, talent be damned. I just think they loose sight sometimes of why people like to come out and see music. They want to have a good time, they want to dance, and they want to be personable with the band. And I think the industry has lost sight of that a little bit. I’ve seen some really good bands have to fold strictly because they weren’t getting any gigs. The favoritism is very difficult to swallow. I know there are a lot more bands than venues to play, and I get that. This isn’t the 80’s any more where every damn tavern, bar, club has live music 5, 6 nights a week. So it’s a dog eat dog world out there and I count my blessings, Expertease has been very lucky. We get booked every weekend. Do I think it’s because we are better that the other bands? Absolutely not. Jones was one of the bands that I thought musically was absolutely phenomenal, but they couldn’t catch a break. So I don’t know, I don’t like the politics of it though. It’s hard, it’s a lot of work doing what we do, and there’s not a lot of money in it, and the bars don’t want to pay for it and I think it’s a dying breed. And it’s really unfortunate because there is so much talent out there. My next question is loaded, folks seem to want to avoid it, I think they are trying to be politically correct…So what is you favorite club to play at? Hmm, gosh. I’ve got to go back in time because right now none of them are my favorite. I’ll tell you, it use to be Baxter’s. Baxter’s use to be my favorite, but it’s kind of gotten weird in the last year. Everett Peosta’s was probably my very favorite place to play, for a lot of reasons. I loved the sound in there, the sound was great. The crowd was similar to the crowd that is here at Marco’s. A mix of older and younger. I prefer the tavern bar setting more than I do the casinos. I would take a bar over a casino any day of the week. Now a lot of people would disagree because the pay isn’t as good. And I get that, but I do this not only for the money but for fun. I like to have fun. The casinos are another ball of wax. The casino’s you sign a 3 page contract. It’s very serious, there is no messing around. And for me, that takes a lot of the fun element away. That’s why a casino a month is enough for me. There’s a little bar in Duvall we play called the Twin Dragon, and they just absolutely love us down there. They treat us like famous rock stars…we roll into Duvall and they just freaking love us. It’s really fun. What is your favorite band memory? The band took a trip together not to play music. We took a trip to Puerto Vallarta just to go and have a vacation and it was just really neat to go with our spouses and what not. We had an absolute blast. It was just so much fun and that is a really good memory for me. Also, Lake Chelan. We use to play Lake Chelan every Memorial Day, Labor Day, 4th of July, and we have some funny, funny stories from there. We have video, the whole 9 yards and everything. I miss Lake Chelan, they stopped doing live music there at B.C. McDonalds, and so we don’t go anymore. What is you funniest band memory? (Laughs heartily)…Well you know, to protect the innocent, I really can’t…umh I can talk around it a little. It was just a really funny experience between me, Mike and Dan and it really wasn’t anything big, it was just one of those after hours, tear down, drank too much, back in the bar’s kitchen cooking-took over both the bar and the kitchen, just cooking and being goofy as hell…We have it on video and it is really funny. I guarantee if it got out it would be on You Tube and all that. What is your worst band memory? My worst band memory is from when we were playing a gig over in Cle Elem. It was several years ago. I hadn’t been feeling well for about 4 days. I played the first night of three nights and I kept telling the guys I didn’t feel well, something’s wrong. And they just thought maybe I ate something bad…So anyway I finished the shows and my mom was there so I wouldn’t have to drive the pass by myself. And on the way home I kept telling her, “something isn’t right, I don’t feel right, I know my body and this isn’t right.” So she drove me to emergency and sure enough my appendix was about to burst. They rushed me straight to surgery and took it out. The hospital people couldn’t believe I had gone 4 days with a hot appendix. And like I mentioned before…that was Sunday, I was back performing the following weekend because they didn’t have anyone to fill in for me. So even though I wasn’t suppose to exert myself etc…I was back on stage asap. How has your perspective changed over the years? I will say it gets monotonous doing the same thing weekend after weekend. Same songs, same people, environment and you know I just think when you start out everything is so new and exciting. When I first joined it was just ‘party time’, it was fun all the time. But now I look at it more like, this is a job. It’s a career. It’s a part-time career that takes an extreme amount of commitment, loyalty, hard work, -if you give a shit about it…And so my perspective has changed about it in that way. This isn’t always fun and games and I consider it a career. So let’s talk about the pregnancy, you are due Nov 7th correct? Yes, but we are thinking and hoping that it’s more toward the end of October. It can’t come soon enough, let’s say… Very few women choose to continue performing while expecting, did you consider stopping? No. It didn’t even cross my mind. If there was a health issue I always had it in my mind that I would sing until I couldn’t sing no more. My body is so acclimated to doing this every weekend that it really hasn’t bothered me. The progression of the pregnancy, well obviously I’m in the 3rd trimester, I’m slowing down. I can’t jump around the stage anymore. There have been certain things I’ve had to cut back on, but as far as singing goes it’s good for me, its exercise. So no, I never considered stopping unless there was a medical reason to do so, which hasn’t come up. Are you receiving emotional support to continue singing during the pregnancy, and where does it come from? Yes, for the most part. My mom is supportive, but she is also concerned. She does a lot of checking on me which is really sweet. And the fans, they are very supportive too. The fans always ask if I need anything. Sometimes I feel like, o.k. I’m not crippled…I totally appreciate the care and concern everyone gives me, but it can be a little overwhelming at times. And I have to stress I know they just care and I think it’s really sweet. I’ve gotten so much support from my family, friends, and fans, they’ve all been great. Have you had any negative reactions from folks? Yes, absolutely. Drunks, you always have the assholes no matter whether you are pregnant or not. People with their own opinions. You have to take it with a grain of salt. It’s hard enough that you are a woman and you are gaining weight and throw in the fact that you’re on a stage in front of people and you’re trying to accept your bodies changes, that you’ve gained 40 lbs or whatever it may be, and that you’re feeling insecure, and then you have some drunk saying “oh look a pregnant slut”. –I’m not going to deny that it has brought me to tears at times. I’m an emotional person anyway, I have pride in what I do, and so, but I have learned that you just can’t please everyone. You just can’t. I don’t care if you are Celine Dione, there’s going to be someone who doesn’t like you. Everyone can’t like you, so I concentrate on the 10 compliments I get rather than the 1 negative. I get a lot of people that say, “I can’t believe you are up there singing. It’s so amazing that you are up there doing what you are doing and being pregnant…My hat goes off to you” type of thing. And to me that’s a compliment. I just got to the point where I refuse to be ashamed that I am pregnant. I am, and I can’t hide it. And I’m proud of it and excited. So folks can hang out, listen to the band and have a good time, or go to another bar if it bothers them. Has it made it difficult, how is it going? It is. My back, my feet, you know, by the end of the night. Physically it’s getting a little tougher, but gosh, I’ve only got a month to go without too many battle wounds, so I don’t like to complain too much. But he’s getting bigger, he’s getting heavier, he’s hard to carry around. Hours on my feet and my breath, he’s sitting on my diaphragm a little bit so singing has gotten a little harder. Other than that though I think it’s all gone ok. Like I said I don’t want to complain too much because I’ve had a pretty good pregnancy. Do you have a date set to stop gigging? I wish I had a dollar for everyone who has asked me that, because I would be rich. The reality is that I don’t know. What I have committed to is to sing as long as I can. Do I want to be up on stage when my water breaks? No I don’t. Could it happen now? Yes, realistically it could. But as long as I feel that I’m not putting myself or the baby in harms way I’m going to keep doing it. I may have to sit on a stool or what not, but the reality is the guys don’t have a replacement for me yet, and I want to ease their stress and do it as long as I can. If I had to guess, I’d like to try to make it to mid October. It’s funny I’ve had 2 texts today asking. One person’s birthday is October 2nd and he wanted to make sure I would be singing at Baxters that night. He let me know if I wasn’t going to be singing he would be doing something else. I said yeah, I’ll be there Oct. 2nd. So but, we are also scheduled there Halloween, and the bar staff wanted to know if I would be there because they plan to have a party and dress up, and I’m like, well, the 31st could be pushing it. It’s 7 days before my due date. But if I can be, I will be and that’s kind of the attitude I’ve taken. If I can be there then I will. I don’t want to commit and then disappoint people, I have to listen to my body. For now, I’m still doing it. Do you have a plan to come back after the babies birth? Yes. My motivation for playing up until the last point is so that I won’t be out too long. What am I going to do? Sit around waiting to have the baby. I’d rather take the time off after. I don’t see myself taking more than 4 weeks off at the most. Like I said, I’m not working during the day, which makes a big difference, so I plan to come back fairly quickly. Do you have anything you would like to add to the interview that you would like people to know about, either yourself or the industry? I think, you know. Hmm. I think, in a perfect world everyone would just get along. Everyone would support each other. I’d like to see the bands band together and be a united front with what we are all trying to accomplish, be supportive. And the fans, if there is drama going on, if there is something going on…if you’re not getting along with other fans…go your separate ways…go see another band, there are so many life issues. Everybody wants to tell me everything. I don’t know what it is about being a band member…you learn so many things about people that you never wanted to know. It’s one of those things…I’m a real person with real feelings. I have financial issues, emotional issues, you know it’s not…I think people view band members like a separate entity, they want to know everything about your life. It’s hard, I’m a private person too. For example, I didn’t need the details of my divorce spread all over town when John and I were splitting. And there were a lot of people who seemed to think they were entitled to know all of that information. And you know…It’s separate, just because I come out here every weekend and I’m nice to everyone, because that is who I am…I think it takes more effort to be bitchy, but that doesn’t necessarily mean I’m going to have you over for Thanksgiving dinner or that I want everyone to know everything there is to know about me. There needs to be boundaries between fans and band members because it can cause so many problems. I just want people to go out and enjoy the shows for what they are. It is not Melrose place. If you make some friends great, but don’t make it your life long goal to come out every weekend and cause problems. It gets ridiculous. After a long night of performing it is emotionally draining to have to deal with drama or she said this and he did that and they don’t like each other. Folks come up and tell me this and tell me that, I start trying to be a buffer, it’s like, hey- this is not my job. This is not what I get paid for, I can’t handle it. I have my own problems to worry about. Like I said, I think that people for whatever reason put the band people on this weird level, where they want me to choose who’s right and who’s wrong. Choose who you are going to be friends with. Everyone is welcome to come see our shows. I want everyone to feel welcome and have a good time. That’s what I want. If you aren’t having a good time, why do you want to be here? Go somewhere else. It gets to me a lot because I am a caring person. I care about people’s feelings even when I don’t know them very well. I don’t want anyone to be hurting or anything like that, but I get tired of the drama. I’ve learned to deal with it a lot better over the years, but at first I was just like Holy Crap! I just want people to be mindful that we don’t have all the answers, we are just normal people and we just want to have fun too. …And with that we ended the interview. It was time for Michelle to get up on stage and do her thing with Expertease. The house was packed as usual. I really enjoyed interviewing Michelle and appreciate her taking time to do the interview. She has a very positive, upbeat demeanor and I found her perspective to be very upfront and straight forward. I think her baby will be counted among the very lucky to have such a caring and talented mother. Stay tuned for the birth announcement…And Michelle, we’re all rooting for you to have an easy delivery! |
| Rick Swanson | Square One | May 1, 2009 |
| Mike Derosier | Changes | July 7, 2009 | Michelle Taylor | Expertease | October 4, 2009 |