Photo Credit: Robert Georgeff

One of the first things we look for when we enter a space is familiarity. Whether that means people who look like you, think like you, or enjoy the same things as you; familiarity means comfortability, and for many – it’s not always as present as we’d like. That’s why people like Julian Taylor have done the work in the spaces they inhabit to make them more inclusive. For him, he does so with his radio show, Julian Taylor’s Jukebox, on Native Voice One (NV1). It also means being his authentic self via his own music, including on his 2024 release, ‘Pathways.’ We talked about all of the above and more like whether setlists can feel seasonal. All of that and more below!

Kendra: Before we get into the music you make, I’d love to talk more about the music you play on your Native Voice One show. When you started the show, did you always know you wanted to focus on the independent artists, the BIPOC artists that the mainstream always seems to leave on the sidelines?

Julian Taylor: I really do enjoy producing Julian Taylor’s Jukebox radio show each week and supporting artists like myself. About 10 years ago, I started a petition to get more people of color onto the radio airwaves in Canada, and I still have a link to that petition, actually.  I’m really happy to be supporting artists who have been left on the sidelines for such a long time, but I’m not the only one. CBC, our national broadcaster, is doing a great job and so are many other stations across the country. It’s about time

Kendra: You’re definitely helping push forward the times, but speaking of time – you mentioned time travel in “Ain’t Life Strange” and I wanted to know what era of music would you use a trip through time to visit? Like me, I might use it to go to the first Spice Girls US tour or perhaps a night out in the ‘80s or ‘70s. Depends on my mood that day. How about you? 

Julian Taylor: If I was to travel back in time to go see an artist or concert, I think it would be Bob Marley. I missed seeing him, and John Lennon is certainly another favorite of mine that I would love to have seen.

Kendra: On a more serious note, I loved the message behind “Weighing Down.” We often get stuck under the pressure of our pasts that we often forget to be present and just let it go. Did something grand occur in recent years that led you to realize this, or was it more of a slow-burn realization?

Julian Taylor: It was a combination of a few things in my life that had definitely happened, and one relationship in particular that I’d been in for quite some time came to an end, and that made me feel that way. Also, missing family and being away from them while I’m on tour is pretty difficult for me, too, and these decisions that we make in our lives come with a lot of give-and-take. So, there’s also a sense of sadness and loss when you choose to follow things that may take you away from other important things. Trying to balance that is really difficult and painful.

Kendra: One of the songs I kept going back to was “Love Letters,” and it made me wonder – if Canada were to make an official stamp for you to celebrate ‘Pathways,’ what do you think the postage would feature? The album cover, or an array of things that represent the record? 

Julian Taylor: Well, I’ve never thought of an official stamp. That would be quite an honor, wouldn’t it? I’ve had some people that I’ve known in my life, like Salome Bay, who was rightfully honored with a stamp not too long ago. It’s quite extraordinary, really, and if I were to be on a stamp for the album “Pathways,” I think it would probably be the cover. Yeah, I like the cover. It’s pensive.

Kendra: You’ve been touring a lot this year. You were out in the Spring and will be packing up and going back out this fall. There’s obviously tailoring a setlist based on the album cycle, but do you ever consider the time of year and season? 

Julian Taylor: When considering my setlist, I really try to get right to the heart of the matter and the songs that are familiar with people first and foremost, but I also do consider what’s going on in the world and what’s happening, socially and politically.  Certainly, if I’m in a certain area of the world, I will consider that, too. For example, I was in Italy, and there was a language barrier there because I speak English and they speak Italian. Italy made me configure things in a different way.  There were songs that they could easily sing along with, so I played those more often. I don’t think about the seasons; at least that hasn’t ever come to mind yet.  Thanks for suggesting it.

Kendra: You’re quite welcome! Now it’s time for a side note – With it being prime Back 2 School time this month, I’d love to know what song from your past immediately transports you back to getting ready for class in the morning? 

Julian Taylor: Going back to school time, well, I think my real formative years. I would say “Groove is in the Heart.” I love that one by Deee-Lite.  It’s such a cool tune, and I was always really excited to go back to school during my middle school era, and that was a huge song then.  Nirvana was pretty big, too, so that brings back memories.

Kendra: Lastly, with ‘Pathways’ out on September 27th, what else can fans expect as we finish out 2024?

Julian Taylor: I have a couple of surprises in the vault that I hope people will enjoy the collaborations. I’ve also been asked to be a part of some really cool tribute stuff, so that’s coming out by the end of the year and I’ll be sure to let people know.

See Julian Taylor On Tour: 
October 18 – 19 – West Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada | Kay Meek Arts Centre
October 22 – Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada | West End Cultural Centre
October 23 – Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada | The Bassment
October 24 – Lethbridge, Alberta, Canada | The Geomatic Attic
October 25 – Calgary, Alberta, Canada | River Park Church
October 27 – Sherwood Park, Alberta, Canada | Festival Place
October 28 – Red Deer, Alberta, Canada | Bo’s Bar & Stage
November 2 – Denver, Colorado, USA | Swallow Hill
November 11 – Ottawa, Ontario, Canada | Dear Canada – Letters from the Second World War