Getting To Know: Taynee Lord

Amid the electric crescendo of guitars, Taynee Lord reigns supreme, her voice a commanding force amid a landscape of anthemic hooks and bold lyrics. While she humbly dismisses any royal claims with a "No queen bee" declaration, her music— a vibrant concoction of high-energy country twang and walking bass nestled within the realms of twisted pop—commands attention. Taynee Lord crafts soundtracks for sunsets and open highways, bridging the heart of Bristol with the soul of Nashville, offering listeners a journey through melodies that resonate with the spirit of both cities.

Since forming her five-piece band in Bristol towards the end of 2018, Taynee has been on an upward trajectory within the British Country Music Scene. Their debut EP 'If Only', released in early 2019, saw the single ‘Blue Jeans’ making waves on BBC Radio Bristol. Taynee's authentic connection to Americana's roots has not only garnered her a nomination for British Country AirPlay Artiste of The Year 2019 but also led to a television debut on Sky TV Showcase. With each performance and release, Taynee cements her place as a dynamic force in country music, blending traditional influences with a contemporary flair that captivates audiences across the UK.

Taynee's journey continued to flourish with ‘No God Of Mine’ hitting Number 1 on the iTunes U.K. country music Charts and accumulating over 30,000 streams on Spotify. Her accolades and performances, including a memorable show for Glastonbury Festival founder Michael Eavis and headlining at notable festivals, underscore her growing impact. Taynee Lord is not just making music; she's forging an indelible mark on the music scene, poised for further triumphs with new releases on the horizon for early 2024. As she continues to enchant listeners worldwide, Taynee Lord's future in music shines as brightly as her compelling melodies.

1)Your music has been described as a fusion of country twang, anthemic hooks, and twisted pop, creating a unique sound that spans from Bristol to Nashville. Can you talk about how you blend these diverse influences in your music, and how artists from these different genres have shaped your sound?

Absolutely! I’ve always loved country music from a young age, Dolly Parton really was my first introduction into country music, so I always have my love for the more classic country roots from her and other female artists like Reba McIntire. But now I listen to a lot more ‘modern’ country artists. I love the guitar sounds from Brothers Osborne, the hooks from Luke Combs and blended vibes from Maren Morris. But believe it or not I love rock music and my favourite band is Royal Blood so I am very open genre wise and I think that’s where my love of blending genres comes from as I have a wide taste in music.  

2)Since your debut EP 'If Only' and the radio debut of 'Blue Jeans' on BBC Radio Bristol, you've quickly become a rising force in the British Country Music Scene. What do you think has been the key to connecting so deeply with audiences both in the UK and around the world, especially with your transmission of the Americana roots?

I think country music is (a little) silently loved worldwide not just in the US, we can see the popularity of it growing much more here in the UK and people aren’t just seeing it as a “guilty pleasure” anymore, more people are admitting to liking country music which is fantastic! Country music for me is all about song-writing and telling a story and if people resonate with the story you are telling then I believe that’s hopefully that’s where I can connect with audiences from all over the world. If you’re heartbroken or in love, or whatever your emotions are that you feel when listening to a song, that has no limit to one corner of the world.

3)With singles like 'No God Of Mine' achieving notable success, including charting at Number 1 in the iTunes U.K. country music Charts, can you share a bit about your creative process? How do you approach songwriting, and where do you find inspiration for your commanding lyrics and anthemic hooks?

When song writing I first always think about the story I want to tell. Usually, I tend to write about real life situations that have either happened to me personally or someone I know and I will come up with a kind of movie scenario in my head beforehand so I know exactly where I want the song to go. I almost always start with the lyrics as I find that a lot easier than writing melodies. Then once I shape the song and finish the lyrics, I take it to my amazingly talented band who add their magic that makes the song really come to life! 

4)From performing for Glastonbury Festival Founder Michael Eavis to headlining at various festivals, your live performances have been a significant part of your career. Can you share one of your most memorable moments on stage? How do these live experiences influence your music and connection with fans?

My favourite part of being an artist is performing live, to me there’s nothing like it! It’s what I enjoy the most. I remember the first time I saw a stranger singing my songs back to me in the crowd, it was a young girl and to this day it will be my favourite live performance memory, it’s so special to see someone singing your own lyrics that you wrote back to you. Yes, Performing live definitely influences my music as I would love to write more anthemic songs that people can sing along too at festivals so recently I have been thinking about that a lot more moving forward for my next recording project.  

5. With new music releases planned for early 2024 and a track record of captivating performances and accolades, what are your aspirations for the next phase of your career? Are there any specific goals you're aiming to achieve or new musical directions you're excited to explore?

This year I have been co-writing with some other songwriters which I haven’t done before so I am excited to record those projects and see how they shape out. My musical sound is definitely evolving so I am looking forward to getting back into the studio to record some new music. I have a lot of exciting live gigs planned for this year which I can’t wait to announce soon. I really am just riding the wave of life and I can’t wait to see where this journey takes me!