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Typically in these write-ups, I start out with a little prelude to get your interest peeked. This time... No literary foreplay is required. Why?
It’s not because I’m lazy. And, it’s not because I’m lacking the creative juices to make you want to read on. It’s not that at all.
So, why can I go directly to the guts of this one-on-one interview? The answer is simple. The subject is Ty Taylor. Mohawk man. Chops, chops and more chops. Songwriter. Soulman. And, just a tad of controversy sprinkled in there... Need I go on? I don’t think so.
RSGH: Ty...
Ty: Yah man.
RSGH: We’re gonna start with a really, realllly, realllllyyyy tough question, alright?
Ty: Fire.
RSGH: Here we go! Chocolate or peanut M&Ms?
Ty: [Chuckle] Chocolate.
RSGH: New York City or Los Angeles?
Ty: For a moment, I’d be in New York. For living, it would be Los Angeles.
RSGH: How long have you had the Mohawk? What inspired it?
Ty: I’ve had it for two years. I used to completely shave my head. I did that for 10 years. Then one day I left the middle strip and I was like... That looks pretty good. I feel like a warrior. It’s been that way ever since.
RSGH: James Brown or Stevie Wonder?
Ty: [Silence] Hmmm. Steeeee-vie. I just think he has a little more soul than James. Plus, I’m a bigger fan of his songwriting style. My favorites are ‘Higher Ground’, ‘Superstition’ and ‘You & I’.
RSGH: Understood. You were in ‘We Will Rock You’, right?
Ty: Yah. For one year.
RSGH: Would you consider returning to it or is that in your past?
Ty: I think I’m pretty complete with that. I’m ready to move onto other things.
RSGH: What was your favorite Ty Taylor performance during RSI?
Ty: Does it have to be one?
RSGH: Nope, throw down as many as you like.
Ty: It would have to be ‘Proud Mary’, ‘Everybody Hurts’, and ‘No Woman, No Cry’
RSGH: Michael Stipe or Eddie Vedder?
Ty: For performance, Vedder. For songwriting, Stipe.
RSGH: What was your favorite performance by one of the other rockers?
Ty: Deanna. Yah. It would have to be Deanna’s ‘Piece of My Heart’. That girl is so quiet and unassuming. And then, when she digs into that raw, abandoned power.... It’s unlike anything I have ever seen. She’s amazing.
RSGH: Got it. How do you think you have benefited from the Rock Star: INXS experience?
Ty: Wow man. I think I’ve benefited from Rock Star in so many ways. It took me one step closer to the level of success that I’m going for. It gave me some new life-long friends. It also gave me a chance to play with my musical heroes in INXS. It enhanced my people skills. And, it gave me a venue to share myself with the world and touch a lot of souls.
RSGH: Got it. I’ve heard you use the word ‘soul’ a few times today. And, I heard you use it a few times on the show. How do you define ‘soul’?
Ty: Your soul is the thing that leaves your body once you pass on. Your spirit. It’s your essence. Who you are. What you are.
RSGH: Hey, is JD really as big of a jerk as they make him out to be on tv?
Ty: I’d say 70% of the time... Yes. The other 30%, he looks up at you with these orphan eyes and you can’t help but feel sorry for him.
RSGH: Hmmm. Well said.
Ty: Thanks.
RSGH: Ty, you’ve got a big fan in our blogger Stephen Perkins.
Ty: Cool. I like Perkins.
RSGH: He was really nervous for you going into the Wednesday night show.
Ty: Really.
RSGH: Stephen even wrote a story about you potentially going Home for the wrong reasons.
Ty: Whoa.
RSGH: Did you think you were at risk going into the show on Wednesday?
Ty: Absolutely not. I really feel like I had been taking it up a notch the last few weeks. If you think about INXS’ comments to me for the last three weeks, it was all good. And... they stood-up after each of my performances.
RSGH: So, explain to me what you’re thinking after you, Jordis and JD are just told you have ‘underwhelmed’ INXS.
Ty: Yah. Well. I didn’t think what I did was underwhelming. 'The One Thing' is probably one of the most underwhelming tracks out there and I couldn’t really lay into the way I would have liked to.
But, consider JD. He’s an amazing performer but he was lifeless . And Jordis... Jordis forgot the lyrics. At one point, she stopped singing. So, I didn’t think I was going Home at all. It was pretty shocking. Garry busted me for missing one word and he didn't say anything to Jordis.
RSGH: Okay. So when you found out the news... You said some things that have rubbed some people the wrong way. Looking back on it, would you do anything different?
Ty: Hey, that was an emotional time. First, I acknowledged INXS for the opportunity. Then, before thanking my friends I said some things that needed to be said.
If you took offense to the things I said or if you thought I was ‘acting up’... Then your defensive reaction might be something you should take a look at.
As an artist, I have to be honest and speak out. At the end of the day, I’m looking to bring progress through my work. It might be controversial at times.
At the core, humans are typically passive. I’m not. I didn’t raise my voice or anything like that.
RSGH: Got it. Your open-ness and sensitivity has been very unique for reality tv. Most of the time, people in reality tv guard themselves and their actions. Did that whole protective element come into play with you?
Ty: It could have. I mean, this whole experience could make you paranoid. What to say? What to do? How to act? You see egos get busted one week and elevated the next. It can be a self-esteem rollercoaster. But, I stayed true to who I am. It was pretty tough a few weeks ago. But, I really feel like I left on a high.
RSGH: What’s next for Ty Taylor?
Ty: Well, before the show started I had a few record deals I was looking at. For now, I’ll do my best to build on the success of the show and take it one day at a time.
RSGH: Great. Best of luck Ty! And thanks!
Ty: Thanks to you and everyone out there!
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